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ROBERTSON MILLPOND PRESERVE
AN 85-ACRE NATURAL WONDERLAND FEATURING A PADDLING TRAIL AND HISTORIC REFERENCES
Thomas Reed is the Open Space Manager at Robertson Millpond Preserve located in Wendell, NC. Thomas, who holds a B.S. in Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology from NC State University, began working with Wake County Parks, Recreation and Open Space in 2016, first as a seasonal Park Aide, then as an Open Space Technician, followed by Open Space Assistant Manager. He began serving as the Open Space Manager for Robertson Millpond Preserve in early 2025, and also oversees the Turnipseed Nature Preserve, Sandy Pines Preserve and over 9,000 acres of conservation land in Wake County. In addition to these duties, he also serves as a licensed drone pilot and burn boss for Wake County.
Aaron Ellis is the Project and Finance Coordinator for the Carolina Wetlands Association, where she leads the Volunteer Wetland Monitoring Program, including work at Robertson Millpond, where she first joined as a volunteer. Aaron has spent more than 20 years in engineering and environmental project administration across government and private sectors. A 14-year veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard and Reserve, Aaron managed procurement, finance, and logistics for critical military operations. Her diverse background also includes project management, permitting, and conservation efforts spanning sustainable agriculture, landscape design, and artisanal production.
Thomas, it is good to talk to you again. As you know, I began volunteering at Robertson Millpond in 2023, and I truly love using the kayak trail with friends and family, and have enjoyed documenting several species there I don't observe at our other monitoring sites. I really appreciate the opportunity to help share information about the amenities of this Preserve with those who may not be familiar with them.
For starters, what do you want to tell us?
Aaron, as you already know from your own experiences, this 85-acre preserve offers a unique experience for history buffs, nature lovers and kayakers!
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It is the only blackwater cypress-gum habitat in Wake County and was purchased under the Wake County Open Space Program in 2013. Robertson Millpond was the first of our three nature preserves that we opened to the public, back in 2015.
Credit: Wake County Government
Interesting Thomas! Now I understand that like several other Wake County Parks, yours has a noteworthy cultural history. Can you please take us thru it?
Well, the millpond is on Buffalo Creek, and it is thought the creek may have been so named because of the herds of buffalo that lived in this area long ago. There are indications that there were Native Americans that lived and hunted along the creek a long time ago.
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In the 1820s, William Avera operated a 600-acre farm and gristmill here with his wife and two children. The Avera family likely built the dam and the mill.
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In the early 1900s. ownership passed to Charles Robertson, for which the road and pond are named today. The Robertson family farmed the land west of the pond and probably also operated the mill until the 1940s.
Credit: Wake County Government
In 1960, the Charles Robertson estate was divided into 11 tracts for surviving heirs. The millpond was inherited by Nettie Robertson Fowler, whose family operated a boathouse on the pond in the 1960s, renting wooden boats for fishing.
Yates Mill Park (Wake County Park) has an old grist mill that continues to operate today. Is the same true with your gristmill?
No Aaron it is not. Unfortunately I understand that it was removed by the Fowler family in the mid-1970s due to both hurricane damage and disrepair.
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The original dam there is still preserved. And both the dam and the mill foundation were designated a Wake County Historic Landmark in 2014. Both of these as well as one of the original millstones can still be seen at the preserve along with interpretive panels describing the history of the site.
Credit: Wake County Government
The facts about the dam are very interesting. Can you please tell us more?
Credit: Wake County Government
Yes, the dam, part earthen and part masonry, dates to the 1820s and is still in place. It created the blackwater swamp and pond, which then developed into a nearly closed canopy of cypress trees with scattered canopy gaps in the areas of deeper water.
Thomas, some of the readers may not know much about blackwater.
Blackwater is formed when a river or creek flows slowly through lowland forested swamps or wetlands. As vegetation decays, tannins leach into the water. The water is transparent, acidic, and darkly stained, resembling tea or coffee. While most people think the water may appear dirty, it actually is quite clear.
The blackwater Buffalo Creek flows southeast from Rolesville until it dumps into the Little River near Kenly and then the Neuse River near Goldsboro.
Credit: Wake County Government
Earlier you said that Robertson Millpond is the only blackwater swamp habitat in Wake County. This makes it even more special and interesting – I am sure that everyone would like to learn more.
So in 1983, the site was identified by the N.C. Natural Heritage Program as a significant natural area. This blackwater cypress-gum swamp is unique this far north and this far west with many species from the coastal plain present here. We are the only public site in wake county where visitors can come to view this unique habitat and the species that call it home.
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​Due to the uniqueness of the site, Robertson Millpond was also designated as a “Wetland Treasure” by the Carolina Wetlands Association, and even takes part in their volunteer wetland monitoring program.
Credit: Wake County Government
So it is called a cypress-gum swamp. Obviously there are those very intriguing Cypress trees in the swampy area there, correct?
The blackwater cypress-gum habitat found at the millpond is unique this far north and this far west in North Carolina. The bases of the cypress trees provide habitat for Swamp Rose and several coastal plain plants, shrubs and vines, plants like Coastal Fetterbush and Swamp Titi, and also for birds, beavers, muskrats, amphibians, reptiles, and certain fish as well.
In the spring, you can see Virginia blue flag blooming near the boat dock, which is another species found primarily in the coastal plain.
Credit: Wake County Government
What can you tell us about on-site services?
We do not have restroom facilities or drinking water at the preserve. There is a port-a-john near our parking lot.
There is a gas station about four miles away, at Rolesville Road and Hwy. 64 Business. We do have a shaded area that has several picnic tables.
What about things like safety and prohibited items?
Keep all pets on a 6-foot leash and clean up after them, life jackets are required while boating, and park only in designated areas.
Open fires, alcoholic beverages, tobacco and vapor products, swimming or wading, and the feeding of wildlife are strictly prohibited.
I know that the preserve is an excellent place to take photographs. What should we all know?
Credit: Wake County Government
Our staff may take photographs or videos of park patrons of all ages to demonstrate the use of our parks, and these may be used in print, video, or digital media. Staff will be wearing Wake County Parks uniforms or other visible ID. If you do not want to be photographed or have your child photographed just notify park staff.
Professional photographers need to know that a permit is required for photo shoots. Read more about this process at Photography Permitting Information.
And now is the time to tell everyone about your wonderful paddling trail that I enjoy so much.
Yes, our paddling trail is perhaps the biggest attraction at our preserve.
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​The trail is about 1.15 miles long, takes approximately an hour to paddle, and is clearly marked by numbered buoys through the cypress swamp. You can bring your own kayak, canoe, paddle board or small trolling boat and launch them at either our grassy launch site, or from the ADA-accessible boat dock.
Both of these are close to the parking lot.​​
Credit: Wake County Government
Credit: Wake County Government
For standing paddleboards, we recommend using the trail from buoy 1 up to buoy 26 along the western side of pond, which includes a wider trail, open areas, and the creek channel.
The eastern side of pond is narrower and shallower. Sometimes during summer months, the trail becomes too shallow for kayaks between buoys 31 and 63.
Anything else about your paddling trail we might want to know?
Those planning to come by and see us might want to know that our busiest days tend to be on the weekends in the summer and fall.
For visitors who are hoping for a quieter experience I recommend coming by in the mornings on weekdays when the birds and other wildlife may be more easily observed with less boats on the water.
Credit: Wake County Government
What about renting boats?
Kayaks rentals are available from Tar River Life on Saturdays during the warmer months. Please visit their website for more details on reservations and bookings.
In addition to the paddling trail, what would you say is another favorite attraction?
Credit: Wake County Government
I believe that would be the opportunities for fishing here.
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We have a very nice boardwalk that offers bench and platform access to the pond for fishing. You are also welcome to fish from the shoreline, or from a kayak, canoe, or small john boat. Just be sure not to block the kayak launches.
There are a wide variety of fish in the pond, including sunfish, catfish, and pickerel – fun for fisherman of all ages.
Thomas, some parks require a special fishing permit – what about here?
We do not have a special fishing permit.
However, all NC freshwater fishing regulations do apply. In North Carolina, you generally need a freshwater fishing license if you are 16 years of age or older and fishing in public waters. You can actually get your fishing license online from the NC Wildlife Resources Commission website or at an outdoor supply store or bait shop.
And do you have Geocaching like some other parks do?
Credit: Wake County Government
Yes we do.
Our geocaches are hidden containers of varying sizes that have been approved by preserve staff and placed for your exploration and enjoyment. You can use GPS devices to find these hidden containers and then record your find on the paper log provided in the geocache. This activity is self-guided by getting coordinates from Geocaching.com and bringing your own GPS unit or phone.​
Geocaching is an accepted recreational activity at Robertson Millpond, with approval prior to placement. To obtain the approval you must complete and submit a Geocache Form to Naturepreserve@wake.gov.
What about drones?
FAA regulations restrict drone use within five miles of an airport, and as we are within five miles of an airport, unmanned Aircraft use is prohibited unless the user has notified the airport operator and the air traffic control tower (if one is present) and discussed with staff.
Tell everyone about some of the animals that call the preserve their home.
As you might suspect, our cypress swamp is habitat for many animals.
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Common birds include wood duck, pileated woodpecker, prothonotary warbler, barred owl, great blue heron and more. You also might observe beaver, muskrat, raccoon, and otters.
There are numerous wood duck and prothonotary warbler boxes in the swamp, put in by Dr. Eugene Hester, NCSU students and staff. If you are lucky, you might get to see both of these species along the paddling trail.
Credit: Wake County Government
We also are home to many species of snakes, turtles, and frogs. Many of which you may encounter sunning themselves on downed trees and longs along the kayaking trails.
Before we begin to leave you, I did not want to forget to ask you about volunteer opportunities. Are there any?
Credit: Wake County Government
Aaron, I am certainly glad that you brought this up.
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Actually we probably would not be here today without the gracious assistance of the many members of the public and organizations that volunteer here. There are school groups, environmental clubs and organizations, scout groups, special interest groups, and also families.
What are some of the tasks that volunteers might help with?
Volunteers assist us with the removal of invasive plants, trail maintenance, litter removal, wildlife monitoring, landscaping, and planting.
Any last words?
I would like to stress that everyone is welcome at Robertson Millpond Preserve. There is an excellent article about accessibility for our preserve here.​​
The other thing would be that we have two very good on-line mobile tours where one can learn much more about the preserve.
There is the Robertson Millpond Tour where one can learn more about the historical and natural significance of Robertson Millpond and there is also the Robertson Millpond Paddling Tour which talks about the flora and fauna of Robertson Millpond.
Thank you again Thomas for sharing the amenities of your Preserve with us. When talking to others about what I do, I'm proud to use Robertson Millpond as a prime example of a local Wetland Treasure, and the recreational, aesthetic, and ecological value this place brings to the community.