When you enter the Mims nature trail off Ballentine Rd in Holly Springs, take time to quietly walk along the dramatic rolling hills, the natural springs and the majestic old trees.  These trails have been used for hundreds of years by Holly Springs residents. You feel history with every step. You sense simpler times. You can envision the native Americans gathering at the streams for fresh water. It is an ancient sanctuary filled with bird song and trickling streams where one can escape the aggressive overdevelopment around us.

The historic Mims property in Holly Springs, North Carolina is 17 acres of old growth forest preserved amongst the dramatic rise and fall of elevation. Passers by enjoy the ancient natural springs carving its way through the twists and turns of the low lying areas. An ancestral, family cemetery protects the grave of GB Alford and his wife, and a diverse wildlife habitat. This site deserves to be designated as a historic preserve and sanctuary. 

The town has largely ignored environmental protection and conservation, setting a weak “30%” mature tree canopy goal. This 30% does not guarantee connected canopies, nor does it sustain wildlife. At least 50% preservation of mature forests and connected tree canopies are a vital component for a healthy ecosystem and for a rich quality of life and stable mental health.

The town has devised an aggressive plan to develop and destroy this mature forest and natural springs, with the excuse that an urban park will be created within it and a portion of the old growth will be “left natural.” A “portion” preserved is not enough when the entire 17 acre forest is vital to sustain the ecosystem. Urbanizing and building a manicured park within this habitat irreversibly disrupts the ecosystem, regardless of the town’s paradoxical intent to “add” green space and a “wetland walk.” Both the forest and the wetlands are currently visible, functional and life-sustaining in their natural form.

In short, all of these excuses serve to fragment and destroy an already perfect natural woodland that hosts a functional and beloved primitive trail. It seems the actual agenda behind the development of this park is to spend more money and to make more money. The town has already reached out to developers to partner with them to destroy this forest. Action is needed to immediately oppose these plans.

Public support is critical to halt the development of this urban sprawl park. The best use of this land is to leave it as is, and to preserve it for the wildlife and plant life that have escaped developers in all directions surrounding the Mims Property. It is a disservice to future generations in Holly Springs and beyond to destroy natural treasures like the Mims Property. Unfortunately, the town seems to think that one must develop a property and install “green space” instead of valuing nature in its natural form. These places are being destroyed all over our town and our country.

This 17 acre site deserves distinction as a landmark and a preserve immediately to stop the unnecessary development. Please help us preserve the Mims Property as the historic national treasure that it is. We request that the Mims property be designated a historic preserve and wildlife sanctuary. We request that only the primitive trails that currently exist be allowed on this property. It will cost far less to maintain the Mims property as a natural forest and springs then to build out multiple entertainment areas, green spaces, “wetland walks,” etc.

Current videos of Mims Property are being uploaded on YouTube @SaveMimsTrailPreserve

Anyone interested in seeing a developed urban “park” can visit downtown Cary, North Carolina. The park they developed was not on a wooded, historic natural space like the Mims property. It is an example of the artificial “park” idea set to replace nature in our town.  An an urban entertainment area, the artificial and manicured lawns replacing the natural and diverse woodland. The Cary park was built not to sustain the environment or the wildlife but to entertain humans and increase profit for the town. Urban parks like these can be built on any site. There is no reason to destroy an old growth forest to create a new eyesore.

Preserve Mims Property now. 

**Please be aware that donations solicited by change.org on this site only go to Change.org & not towards the Mims property***