Land formerly home to Lake Crabtree Park near RDU may become an outdoor entertainment destination dubbed “Whitewater Raleigh,” backed by Canes owner Tom Dundon’s real estate venture, Pacific Elm Properties. Although nothing is set in stone, the project could attract 1.1 million guests, including 440,000 from outside the 919.
Last month, the airport and Wake County reached a new lease agreement that preserved 70 acres as Lake Crabtree Park, while 136 acres were absorbed by RDU for a potential entertainment district. According to conceptual renderings by the firm, the site could include whitewater activities, ziplines, and ice skating in the winter.
Whitewater Raleigh is being touted as the 919’s version of Charlotte’s Whitewater Center, a 1,300-acre nonprofit recreation center that includes paddling, climbing, and more ways to play in the great outdoors. In January 2025, the CEO of Charlotte’s Whitewater Center said he was looking to potentially expand to Raleigh as part of a $350 million development. Keep in mind, though, the Lake Crabtree parcel is only 136 acres.
The RDU Airport Authority + Dundon’s Pacific Elm Properties will host workshops starting next month to gather community input. The first will be on Tuesday, Aug. 19 — details are coming soon. Psst... you might also recognize the name Pacific Elm from the Lenovo Center’s entertainment district development.
