Smith Creek Greenway

The southern 1.15-mile segment extends from Burlington Mills Road to the Neuse River Greenway. Official parking is reached through the Neuse network at WRAL Soccer Park, 7700 Perry Creek Road; Horseshoe Nature Preserve, 2900 Horse Shoe Farm Road; or Thornton Road access, 6100 Thornton Road.

The Town directs visitors to WRAL Soccer Park, Horseshoe Nature Preserve, or Thornton Road Greenway access, then to Smith Creek via the Neuse River Greenway. Do not assume Burlington Mills Road provides a full public trailhead lot.

The greenway is open dawn to dusk. Start early enough to complete the out-and-back or connected route before dark, since the trail and bridge are not intended as an after-hours corridor.

Greenway access is free. Parking, programs, or facilities at connected parks may have their own rules, and riders are responsible for repair, transit, or pickup costs on long one-way trips.

The Town does not list restrooms on the 1.15-mile southern segment. Restroom availability at connected parks or trailheads varies, so use facilities before entering and do not rely on an open building along the route.

The principal trail is 10-foot-wide paved asphalt and the river crossing is a large pedestrian bridge. Grades, bridge approaches, wet leaves, debris, flooding, and distances to parking can affect access; plan an achievable turnaround.

The trail runs 1.15 miles one way from Burlington Mills Road south along Smith Creek to the Neuse River Greenway. It is paved asphalt, 10 feet wide, partly shaded, and can become part of a roughly 33-mile one-way connected route.

Creek and wetland views, shade, wildlife, and the 558-foot bridge can make a memorable family ride or walk. There is no playground on this segment, and the distance from official parking makes turnaround planning important.

Keep dogs leashed, under close control, and on the paved trail; remove all waste. Carry water and avoid blocking cyclists or other users on the bridge and narrower approach areas.

There are no documented picnic facilities on the southern segment itself. Use designated picnic areas at connected parks and keep trail shoulders, bridge approaches, wetlands, and private neighborhood access clear.

The defining features are Smith Creek, aquatic and wetland habitat, partial forest shade, the 558-foot pedestrian bridge over the Neuse River, neighborhood connections near Creek Moss Avenue, and the junction with the Neuse River Greenway.

Flooding, storms, sewer or greenway construction, bridge maintenance, and debris can close or narrow the route. Planned northern extensions do not yet make this southern segment continuous with every other Smith Creek section; verify current detours before a long trip.