The Ellerbe Creek Watershed Association envisions a living creek connecting human and natural communities in Durham. As part of that vision, we manage five public nature preserves for recreation, water quality, and native plant and habitat restoration.
To achieve this vision, we work to create a healthy stream and natural ecosystems, establish a network of preserves throughout the watershed, build ties to all the diverse human communities, promote innovative stormwater management to improve water quality, and help residents enjoy and appreciate being outdoors in a learning and safe environment.
Preserve Overview
In 1999, Ellerbe Creek Watershed Association obtained its first six acres in what is now 17-Acre Wood, a unique outpost of native plant diversity and wildlife habitat nestled in Durham’s Watts
Hospital-Hillandale neighborhood. In addition to 17-Acre Wood, ECWA manages more than 120 acres of public preserve land stretching from West to East Durham along Ellerbe Creek.
Moving east from 17-Acre Wood, bikers and pedestrians on the Ellerbe Creek Trail can access
The Rocks and Pearl Mill, two and three acres each, respectively. From there, visitors can observe wildlife at the 32.5-acre Beaver Marsh or hike three miles of trails in the 83-acre Glennstone Preserve, our easternmost preserve.
Several preserves are accessible by both bus
Together with our partners and volunteers, we are actively working to protect more land and create green infrastructure that keeps our entire watershed clean and healthy.
We hope you enjoy your visit. We hope you enjoy your visit.
www.ellerbecreek.org www.ellerbecreek.org
ECWA’s oldest public preserve connects Westover and Indian Trail parks to form a continuous corridor of natural space in West Durham. With Ellerbe Creek to the north and the preserve to the south, Durhamites can walk or bike along the beloved West Ellerbe Creek Greenway to look for barred owls in the tall tree canopy or seek out turtles and sunfish in the waters of the creek. With
The Rocks The Rocks
The Rocks, named for the unique diabase outcrops along the stream, offers mountain-like terrain with large sentinel trees along a scenic, rocky stretch of Ellerbe Creek. Though this preserve is small, it offers a cool and quiet respite from urban life. Sit beside the rushing stream to enjoy a break, eat your lunch on a picnic table set among ancient rock formations, or rest in the shade of loblolly pine, oak, and
This urban oasis is best accessed at 2516 Broad Street, Durham, NC 27704.
Durham Bus Route 1 or Route 4
Pearl Mill Pearl Mill
The Pearl Mill preserve is a shady resting spot for hikers and walkers using the paved North Ellerbe Greenway. Visitors can relax on benches overlooking the creek or explore the upland and floodplain habitats. With a pollinator garden and bioretention project that filters urban storm water before it drains into the creek, Pearl Mill is a beautiful example of watershed restoration in action. ECWA’s future plans include installation of several more innovative stormwater control measures at this preserve.
Nestled between the Duke Park, Trinity Park, and Old North Durham neighborhoods, Pearl Mill is best accessed at 703 Green Street, Durham, NC 27701.
Durham Bus Route 1
Beaver Marsh Beaver Marsh
Glennstone Glennstone
Beaver Marsh is home to migratory and resident waterfowl, including 10 species each of dragonflies and damselflies, as well as an impressive beaver lodge and large pond. Despite its busy location between the Northgate Park and Colonial Village neighborhoods, a large shopping center, and the interstate, this wetland preserve has become a vital haven for native species like jewelweed, river otters, mink, and turtles. Beaver Marsh has trails, benches, and beautiful views for observing wildlife. Bring your binoculars!
Access this urban jewel from 3400 Ambridge Street, Durham, NC 27704.
Durham Bus Route 9B or Route 9A
ECWA’s largest public preserve, which offers three miles of forest and woodland trails, is adjacent to the Glennstone Neighborhood and serves as a buffer for a great blue heron and great egret nesting site. Hikers will discover native woodland grasses and wildflowers, relatively rare and unique oak and hickory species that only grow on areas underlain by diabase rock, early successional upland forest, older bottomland forest, an old cabin site, and rocky tributaries that feed into one of the most scenic stretches of Ellerbe Creek. Rest on benches and learn about the natural habitat from interpretive signs throughout the preserve. This preserve is an especially good place to observe spring and fall migratory birds.
This 83-acre preserve is best accessed at 3600 Glennstone Drive, Durham, NC 27704.
There is no bus route that services this preserve.
Preserve Rules
ECWA welcomes the public to use our nature preserves for hiking, education, birdwatching, and simply enjoying the outdoors. We ask that visitors be courteous to other preserve-users and that they abide by the following preserve rules:
Visit only during daylight hours.
Keep dogs on leash.
Respect the preserve’s prohibition of the following:
Motorized Vehicles
Hunting or Trapping
Firearms or Archery
Biking
Horseback Riding
Swimming
Campfires and Camping
Dumping Trash or Littering
Destruction of Signs
Cutting or Removing Trees, Shrubs, Wildflowers, or Any Vegetation
Disturbing or Harming Wildlife
Precautions
When visiting ECWA preserves, please come prepared for conditions you might encounter in any natural outdoor area, including ticks, yellow jackets, poison ivy, snakes, and heat. We recommend
bringing water, sunscreen, bug repellent, and a healthy respect for nature and wildlife.
In case of emergency, call 911. If maintenance is required on any paved greenway, call Durham One Call at 919-560-1200.
If there is a stormwater problem, please call Stormwater Services at 919-560-SWIM.
Creek Watershed Association (ECWA)
Mail: PO Box 2679 Durham, NC 27705
Office: 2600 West Carver Street, Suite C, Durham, NC 27705 Phone: 919-698-9729
Email: Info@EllerbeCreek.org
Interested in volunteering with ECWA? Head to ellerbecreek.org/volunteer.html
Want to donate to ECWA’s watershed protection efforts? Head to ellerbecreek.org and click DONATE.
