Annie Louise Wilkerson, MD Nature Preserve Park

In 2006 the City of Raleigh received an amazing gift of 157 acres of land from the extraordinary Dr. Annie Louise Wilkerson (1914-2005; Raleigh Hall of Fame Inductee). During her 55 year career in Wake County, "Dr. Annie" delivered over 8,000 babies and transcended gender barriers as the first woman to serve as chief-of-staff at Rex Hospital (1948) and WakeMed (1961). She was equally known for her pioneering achievements, such as being only the third woman to practice medicine in Wake County, as her philanthropic contributions to the community. Her legacy will live in perpetuity through this Nature Preserve she so kindly deeded to the City of Raleigh Parks & Recreation Department. Dr. Annie had great foresight to specifically lay out the guidelines for utilizing her wonderful property and all park planning will be carried out as she intended.

The property is only be used as a Nature Preserve Park for the primary purpose of nature and wildlife education, as well as the study and research into methods of conservation. The 157 acres contains a number of open fields, large stands of mature trees (never to be cut unless diseased), tributaries to Honeycutt Creek and exposed granite outcroppings. This land is never to be used for general recreation but will be open 7 days a week for public enjoyment of the natural environment.

North Raleigh is fortunate to have several other Park & Recreation sites in our proximity! Many of these sites are related in scope and will provide complimentary services, connectivity, additional education and outdoor opportunities to the Annie Louise Wilkerson, MD Nature Preserve Park which is located off Raven Ridge Rd, adjacent to Falls Lake. Examples of other services, park and recreation opportunities and connectivity within reasonable proximity include:
- Durant Nature Park
- Neuse River Greenway and Canoe Launch
- Forest Ridge Park
- Horseshoe Farm Park
- Greenways: Honeycutt Creek, Durant Trails, Falls River, Wakefield
- Blue Jay Point County Park
- Falls Lake Project Area
- The Falls Lake South Shore Trail