In August 2000, the WaterWise Garden at Lake Crabtree opened, marking the first N.C. Cooperative Extension demonstration effort at a county park. The garden demonstrates how to reduce residential pollution by limiting water usage and showcases proper landscaping techniques, emphasizing easily implemented landscaping principles, such as appropriate plant selection and mulching.

The N.C. State Extension Master Gardener volunteers who were instrumental in this creation were Jayme Bednarczyk, Connie Sithes, Dwight Fast, Tina Oberle, Shirley Phillips, Bob Roth, Melissa Griffin, Carol Stien, Gail Ingram. Virg Birkin and Roger Norden handcrafted the two benches along the paths. A lot of these EMGvs are no longer with us.

In 2009 the park rangers added a rain barrel and gutters to divert rain from the roof of the shelter into the barrel. This will be important to the garden in times of water restriction and for educating the public.

If you haven't been out to Lake Crabtree park before, the address is 1400 Aviation Parkway. The garden is the first turn to the right after you enter the park.