Cary residents now have more green space to explore with the official completion of the Higgins Greenway extension. The newly finished trail adds 0.7 miles of path from Union Street, past Hillcrest Cemetery, out to Kildaire Farm Road. This marks the complete of Phase III of the Higgins greenway project, creating a total 1.5-mile stretch of continuous paved pathway between SW Maynard Road and Kildaire Farm Road.
Notably, this extension is now the closest greenway to downtown Cary. The extension ends (or begins) about a 5 minute walk away from the library or Downtown Cary Park. The path also passes two local churches and the historic Hillcrest Cemetery. Greenway users should note that the trail section along Hillcrest Cemetery falls under a different Code of Ordinance than the rest of the greenway, allowing for special restrictions during funerals. When ceremonies are held at the cemetery, gates will be closed and trail users will need to detour along nearby sidewalks or streets.
The Higgins Greenway has been evolving for more than a decade. Back in 2013, the town began reconstructing the original segments of the greenway, stabilizing a degraded stream channel that feeds into Swift Creek. The initial 0.8-mile section between SW Maynard Road and Union Street was repaved, several bridges were added, and more than 8,000 native plants were installed as part of an effort to restore natural vegetation. These early improvements were known as Phase I and II and included key connectors to Danforth Drive and West Chatham Street.
While the completion of Phase III is a major milestone, the future of Higgins Greenway has become less certain. Phase IV was planned to continue the trail from Kildaire Farm Road at Shirley Drive directly into downtown Cary, ultimately connecting to the Cary Arts Center. While there is currently a sidewalk that connects them, the planned improvements were more extensive, including underground utility work, new pedestrian crossings, landscaped medians, public art, and traffic calming features designed to prioritize cyclists and pedestrians. The project was expected to enhance access to civic hubs like Cary Elementary School, the Downtown Cary Park, and the Cary Regional Library.
Cary had secured a $1.9 million LAPP grant from the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization to support Phase IV, but as of Spring 2025, the project has been moved to the “Reassess” category. This change came as part of a town-wide review of 391 capital projects, initiated in response to rising construction costs and flattening revenue. In that review, 68 projects, including Phase IV of the Higgins Greenway, were placed in the “Reassess” category. This designation means that while the project is considered valuable, it currently lacks the necessary funding to move forward. Staff and Town Council will monitor and potentially reprioritize these projects in the future. You can read about all of the projects affected here on page 5.
For now, residents can enjoy the improved 1.5-mile greenway and the enhanced connectivity it brings.
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