Friends of Lake Johnson

Permanent conservation of these 12 acres in Lake Johnson park has resulted in these positive outcomes, which has helped to preserve the environment, stimulate economic development and has enhanced educational opportunities for students:

• Storm water runoff from development has been avoided, protecting the lake’s water quality.
• A 500-600-foot buffer has been provided to support healthy populati

ons of birds, mammals and amphibians, while also providing a safe connecting corridor to habitats around the lake and to the downstream greenway.
• The property is available to use for environmental education. An environmental education center is planned for the future NEXT to the Athens Drive High School -- perfect location to encourage use of the the park and proposed environmental center for classes and laboratories. In addition, students at North Carolina State University use the park for environmental research.
• The ecological network constituted by the Lake, surrounding natural parkland and surrounding greenway corridors has been more integrated.
• The additional natural landscape and future environmental center has helped tol attract more greenway users and others to what is already one of Raleigh’s most popular recreation destinations. This effort is an excellent example a working public/private partnership. The collaboration among the Friends of Lake Johnson Park, a private 501(c)(3) organization, the City of Raleigh, Wake County, the Trust for Public Land, People for Parks, and many private citizens has raised awareness of the need to protect water quality and the assets of Lake Johnson Park, while mobilizing these groups to raise the necessary dollars to achieve this mission. These public and private efforts have PROTECTED this undeveloped land which we WORK TO keep permanently conserved for the good of local water quality and the many citizens who enjoy the natural beauty of the park every day.