Umstead-RDU border issue: Hike the Yellow Dot line to the PD Davis NW corner

This is the New Date posting....

PLEASE READ ALL. OFF-TRAIL HIKE. PLEASE ONLY RSVP IF ATTENDING AND UPDATE RSVP IF YOUR PLANS CHANGE.

In 1937, the federal government purchased the 209 acre PD Davis tract for inclusion into the Crabtree Creek national Recreational Demonstration Area (RDA) which later became Umstead State Park. At that time, the federal government wanted to purchase Odd Fellows, but, given the "extremely pretty and picturesque location" of Odd Fellows, the land was much more expensive than the other tracts. While the federal government was not able to purchase the land at the inception, they did not give up. Based on many publicly funded plans, the federal government and then the State of NC have been continuously planning for Odd Fellows to be a part of the Park since the 1930's.

Sadly, the RDU Airport, knowing of these publicly funded plans, stepped in and took management control of Odd Fellows in 1976. The RDU land surveyor at that time incorrectly marked the boundary of Odd Fellows and took 14-ish acres of Park land. RDU did not inform the State of this error. But, it is known now.

Of note, the publicly funded planning for including Odd Fellows into the Park continued even after RDU took control of Odd Fellows by threat of condemnation.

The boundary of the PD Davis tract is easily located. Come find out how!
This is an off trail hike to the Northwest corner of the PD Davis tract. The terrain is rolling with a few short steep spots. Please ensure you have water and you are physically able to walk the terrain.

Expect about 15 minutes of introduction to the issue in the meeting area, then an out and back hike. There will be some time for questions during the hike, especially at the corner tree, but expect the hike portion to be mostly moving.