2030 Comprehensive Plan Update, April 2024

Downtown Raleigh

15.5 Parks, Recreation and Open Space Downtown has a need for parks and open spaces that provide recreational opportunities for residents, workers, and visitors. Downtown is a planned capital with a system of five park-like squares laid out as part of its original development pattern. This provides recreational opportunities for residents and visitors that are unique to Downtown Raleigh. Working to take advantage of the five-square plan for its original and expanded purposes is a priority. The supply, quality, and usability of parks and recreational spaces in downtown needs to be increased, including extending the greenway system within downtown. New development should provide its fair share of open space, parks, and recreational facilities to better serve the growing population. In order to address these concerns, this section concentrates on the following issues: • Maintaining and improving a healthy open space to resident ratio. • Expanding an insufficient Downtown parks and recreational presence. • Restoring and enhancing Raleigh’s historic squares.

Open Space in New Development As the population continues to grow and new development comes on-line, additional open space will be required to maintain a healthy ratio of open space to population.

Policy DT 5.1 Green Roofs as Open Space

Encourage the use of roof gardens, green roofs, and other environmentally sustainable options for use as private open space in new downtown developments.

Action DT 5.1 Removed 2016

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