Community Developments
Cape Fear River Trail - Opened October 27, Cape Fear River Trail covers 3.7 miles through wooded land adjacent to the Cape Fear River. Most of the trail consists of a 10-foot wide paved surface appropriate for many modes of non-motorized traffic. With over 700 species of plants and 150 species of birds in the area, the trail is not only a relaxing escape from modern life, but also a wonderful educational opportunity. Signs along the trail educate users about the area's many natural resources. Three bridges cross ravines that provide wonderful views, including a covered bridge.
With the opening of this trail, Fayetteville is linked to the East Coast Greenway currently in development along the east coast. The East Coast Greenway will be the nation's first long-distance, city-to-city, multi-modal transportation corridor for cyclists, hikers and other non-motorized users. It is being developed as an urban alternative to the Appalachian Trail. www.greenway.org
Festival Park - In 2005, chances are, all downtown events will lead visitors to Festival Park.
To be built on 13 acres between Ray Avenue and Green Street, Festival Park will incorporate the existing farmer's market and will include a sculpture garden at the corner of Ray Avenue and Rowan Street, a terrace where the USO Building once stood, and a water fountain and waterfall.
Plans also call for flying international flags at the park to celebrate the city's diversity. 
Cross Creek Linear Park - Ground has been broken on the first stage of Cross Creek Linear Park. This park will be a quiet, reflective place. Its also a place that celebrates Fayetteville's history. By 1765, people were settled along a creek in what is now Downtown Fayetteville. The settlement was called Cross Creek. Settlers had formed the community of Campbellton along the Cape Fear River in 1762. In 1783, the villages of Cross Creek and Campbellton merged and became Fayetteville.
The first stage of development underway will link Green Street and Ray Avenue. Eventually, Cross Creek Linear Park will link Festival Park to the Cape Fear Botanical Garden. From the Botanical Garden, the trail will link with the Cape Fear River Trail, which will connect the Cape Fear Botanical Garden to Methodist University.
Outer Loop Set For Completion 2020 - The second phase of the Fayetteville Outer loop opened on July 7th. The second section of the project connects River Road and I-95. Motorist can now travel from I-95 to River Road and Ramsey Street.
The next phase of the project, from Ramsey Street to the All American Freeway, is scheduled to begin in 2008.
When complete, the Outer Loop will connect I-95 and US 13 to Ft. Bragg, then curve around Fayetteville and Hope Mills and re-connect to I-95 near St. Pauls.
The entire project is expected to be completed by 2020.
Fayetteville Area Transportation Museum - With more than a century of time since it was built, the Cape Fear and Yadkin Valley railroad depot will once again be bustling with activity when the Fayetteville Area Transportation Museum opens in the restored building in the fall of 2005.
At its inception in 1890, the depot housed the Cape Fear and Yadkin Valley Railroad Company, which was the northwest to southeast railroad with Fayetteville at its center. The depot is Romanesque Revival in style, incorporating large brick arches and arcades to accommodate passengers and freight handling. The railroad used the depot from 1890-1898 and the building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Fayetteville Area Transportation Museum will focus on the history of transportation in Fayetteville and Cumberland County. This history will begin with ancient Native American history and run through the present day. Topics to be covered include travel on the water, by train, on roads and air travel. With the Cape Fear River running through the community and Fayetteville at the center of the state-wide plank-road system, the region was the center of commerce for many years in the 19th century.
