hickory nut gorge state trail plan
TRANSCRIPT
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WildernessG
ateway2019
IHickory Nut Gorge State Trail Plan
NC Division of Parks and Recreation
Contents
Introduction ..........................................................................1
Planning area ........................................................................1
Location ...............................................................................2
Results .................................................................................4
Maps:
Hickory Nut Gorge Planning Corridor ...........................................5 Segment 1 ...................................................................................6 Segment 2 ...................................................................................7 Segment 3 ...................................................................................8 Conclusion ............................................................................9
Next Steps ...........................................................................10
HICKORY NUT GORGE STATE TRAIL PLAN
NC Division of Parks and Recreation 2021 1
INTRODUCTION
The vision for the Hickory Nut Gorge State Trail (HGST) encompasses three main purposes: conservation, recreation, and connection.
The trail corridor will serve as an ecological connection between larger tracts of natural lands protecting wildlife migration and safeguarding the genetic variability of plant and wildlife populations. Encouraging segment sponsors to remove invasive, non-native species during routine trail maintenance will further increase the conservation value of this trail. In this way, the Hickory Nut Gorge State Trail is part of a statewide conservation effort to ensure the future health and beauty of North Carolina’s natural resources.
At least 50 miles of trail through some of North Carolina’s most scenic landscapes will provide an amazing recreational amenity for hikers and mountain bicyclists. The trail will provide safe and enjoyable recreation and exercise opportunities. This will offer local citizens with a convenient and stunning venue to improve their health with more physical activity and serve to attract visitors throughout the larger region, boosting tourism to the entire area.
Finally, the Hickory Nut Gorge State Trail will provide a connection between Chimney Rock State Park; Lake Lure; Upper Hickory Nut Gorge including Bearwallow Mountain, Florence Nature Preserve, and Wildcat Rock; and Buffalo Creek Park. Local citizens, visitors, and even wildlife, will be able to use this connection to access natural lands while protected from vehicular traffic.
Stakeholder meetings were held.
HICKORY NUT GORGE STATE TRAIL PLAN
NC Division of Parks and Recreation 2021 2
PLANNING AREA
The legislation that created the Hickory Nut Gorge State Trail states: The General Assembly authorizes the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources to add the Hickory Nut Gorge trail to the State Parks System as a State trail, as provided in G.S. 143B-135.54(b). The Department shall support, promote, encourage, and facilitate the establishment of trail segments on State park land and on lands of other federal, State, local and private landowners. On segments of the Hickory Nut Gorge trail that cross property controlled by agencies or owners other than the Department’s Division of Parks and Recreation, the laws, rules, and policies of those agencies or owners shall govern the use of the property. The requirement of G.S. 143B-135.54(b) that additions be accompanied by adequate appropriations for land acquisition, development, and operations shall not apply to the authorization set forth in this section. For purposes of this section, the “Hickory Nut Gorge trail” refers to the trail through the Hickory Nut Gorge located within Henderson, Rutherford, and Buncombe counties, and encompasses current and future permanently publicly accessible recreational trails inside, or within 5 miles of, the physical boundaries of the Hickory Nut Gorge, Lake Lure, Broad River, or Chimney Rock State Park.
The Hickory Nut Gorge State Trail will connect with the Wilderness Gateway Trail near Buffalo Creek Park, and will meander through Rutherford, Henderson, and Buncombe Counties to connect to Chimney Rock State Park, Conserving Carolina’s Upper Hickory Nut Gorge trails, and Town of Lake Lure’s Buffalo Creek Park.
LOCATION
This proposed corridor will traverse through the Hickory Nut Gorge located within Henderson, Rutherford, and Buncombe counties.
Henderson County was formed in 1883 from the southern part of Buncombe county and named after Leonard Henderson, the Chief Justice the NC Supreme court from 1829 to 1833. The county seat is Hendersonville. The county is 375 square miles and is in the Blue Ridge Mountains. In 2018, the population was estimated to be 116,748.
Rutherford County was formed in 1779 and named after the Revolutionary War general and member of the North Carolina Provincial Congress, Griffith Rutherford. The county seat is Rutherfordton. The economy of Rutherford County includes tourism, Christmas trees, and textiles. The county is 564 square miles and is in the Broad River basin. In 2016 the population was estimated to be 66,421.
HICKORY NUT GORGE STATE TRAIL PLAN
NC Division of Parks and Recreation 2021 3
Town of Lake Lure is a well-known destination due to its beautiful location in the heart of the Hickory Nut Gorge, with the Rocky Broad River winding through the valley into Lake Lure. The town is 14.7 square miles and has a population of about 1,214 individuals according to the 2016 census, but this greatly increases during high tourism seasons.
Buncombe County was formed in 1791 from parks of Burke and Rutherford County and named after Edward Buncombe, a colonel in the American Revolutionary war who was captured at the Battle of Germantown. The county consists of 660 square miles, with the French Broad River flowing through portions. In 2019, the population was estimated to be 259,103.
Chimney Rock State Park features some of North Carolina’s most dramatic mountain scenery with the signature 315-foot spire overlooking Hickory Nut Gorge and Lake Lure within its 5,700 acres. NC State parks acquired Chimney Rock in 2007, but the park has a rich history starting in 1871, when tourists began making their way up to the top by donkey.
Weed Patch Mountain Trail is within Buffalo Creek Park and consists of 8.6 miles of strenuous trail in backcountry terrain. The trail is designed for hikers and mountain bikers and offers access to Eagle Rock within Chimney Rock State Park, which is a popular climbing destination.
The southernmost section of the Hickory Nut Gorge State Trail will connect with Chimney Rock State Park.
The Town of Lake Lure.
HICKORY NUT GORGE STATE TRAIL PLAN
NC Division of Parks and Recreation 2021 4
RESULTS
Division staff met with stakeholders and volunteers to explain the concept, learn about current plans and constructed trail that could be incorporated into the HGST, and listen to suggestions, concerns and priorities. Stakeholders included: Town of Lake Lure, Rumbling Bald Resort, Chimney Rock State Park, Conserving Carolina, Rutherford County, Henderson County, Carolina Climbers Coalition, Friends of Chimney Rock, Rutherford Outdoor Coalition, and Isothermal Planning and Development Commission. A crew of volunteer trail builders with Conserving Carolina was also able to participate in the stakeholder meetings.
Shortly after the stakeholder meetings, COVID-19 prevented any further in person meetings. So, the public information sessions and surveys were accomplished online. 508 people participated in the online survey and 1,278 viewed the online information session—an unexpectedly robust number for a trails master plan. With stakeholders, volunteers and the public response, there was near universal support for the HGST. Additionally, the comments indicated support for a disc golf course to be incorporated into the trail and strong support for the trail to serve as access to additional climbing areas. However, both activities are beyond the scope of a state trail master plan—or a constructed state trail. Nevertheless, these comments will be shared with the stakeholders so that they can consider them in future planning efforts. The results from the public survey can be found in Appendix 1.
HICKORY NUT GORGE STATE TRAIL PLAN
NC Division of Parks and Recreation 2021 5
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Henderson Co.
RutherfordCo.
Polk Co.
Buncombe Co.
McDowellCo.
£¤74
£¤64
LEGEND
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County Line
Hickory Nut Gorge, Planned
Chimney Rock State Park
Lake Lure
Local Conservation Land
¯0 2
Miles
BEARWALLOW MOUNTAIN CONSERVATION EASEMENTS
SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN HIGHLANDS CONSERVANCYCONSERVATION EASEMENTS
HICKORY NUT FOREST CONSERVATION EASEMENTS
TEACHING AND RESERCH RESERVE
YOUNGS MOUNTAIN
FLORENCE NATURE PRESERVE
BUFFALO CREEK PARK
CHIMNEY ROCK STATE PARK
LAKE LURE
TOWN OF GERTON
TOWN OF LAKE LURE
HICKORY NUT GORGE STATE TRAIL PLAN
NC Division of Parks and Recreation 2021 6
SEGMENT 1: Bearwallow Mountain
HICKORY NUT GORGE STATE TRAIL PLAN
NC Division of Parks and Recreation 2021 7
Description:A series of connected trails, planned and constructed by Conserving Carolina, that encircle Bearwallow Mountain.
Planning Strategies:Support Conserving Carolina as they work to complete gaps.
Projected Timeframe: near-term
Opportunities:
• Public support • Local planning • Large landholdings
Funding Stream/river corridors • Land conservancy support
• Land acquisition Floodplain/wetlands Private support
Public land Staff resources Sidewalk/bicycle network
Challenges:Funding Major roadway crossing Lack of local planning
Land acquisition Coordinating easements Floodplain/wetlands
Stream/river crossings Urbanized corridor Local opposition
Needs detailed alignment • Topography Long-term management
Segment Details:
Constructed trail: Trombatore Trail: 2.4 milesWildcat Rock Trail: 5 milesRoute thru Florence Nature Preserve: 1.8 milesBearwallow Mountain Trail: 1 mileTotal: 10.2 miles
Route alignment: Trail will circle Bearwallow Mountain on conserved land and through permanent easements.
Approximate planned length: 15 miles
Section sponsors: Conserving Carolina Planning stakeholders: Conserving Carolina, Henderson County, Buncombe County, NC State Parks
Next Steps:• Determine trail route through Florence Nature Preserve• Encourage Conserving Carolina to apply for official trail designation for all segments of constructed trail• Complete Strawberry Gap Trail• Plan connection between Florence Nature Preserve and Strawberry Gap Trail• Land acquisition
SEGMENT 1: Upper Hickory Nut Gorge Loop
HICKORY NUT GORGE STATE TRAIL PLAN
NC Division of Parks and Recreation 2021 8
SEGMENT 2: Bearwallow Mountain to Chimney Rock
HICKORY NUT GORGE STATE TRAIL PLAN
NC Division of Parks and Recreation 2021 9
Description:This segment will connect the loop around Bearwallow Mountain to Lake Lure Loop.
Planning Strategies:Corridor will need to be protected through land acquisition or permanent easements. Conserving Carolina, with support from NC State Parks, could take lead on land protection. Must coordinate final route with the Nature Conservancy to avoid disturbing bats protected near Bat Cave.
Projected Timeframe: long-term
Opportunities:
• Public support Local planning Large landholdings
Funding Stream/river corridors • Land conservancy support
Land acquisition Floodplain/wetlands Private support
Public land Staff resources Sidewalk/bicycle network
Challenges:
• Funding • Major roadway crossing • Lack of local planning
• Land acquisition • Coordinating easements Floodplain/wetlands
Stream/river crossings Urbanized corridor Local opposition
• Needs detailed alignment • Topography • Long-term management
Segment Details:
Constructed trail: 0 miles
Route alignment: Although dependent on land acquisition, route will probably be north of US 74 ALT.
Approximate planned length: 5 miles
Section sponsors: TBD Planning stakeholders: Conserving Carolina, NC State Parks, Nature Conservancy, Bat Cave
Next Steps:• Detailed corridor planning to identify best route for trail• Funding for land acquisition
SEGMENT 2: Bearwallow Mountain to Chimney Rock
HICKORY NUT GORGE STATE TRAIL PLAN
NC Division of Parks and Recreation 2021 10
SEGMENT 3: Lake Lure Loop
HICKORY NUT GORGE STATE TRAIL PLAN
NC Division of Parks and Recreation 2021 11
Description:This segment will circle Lake Lure. Much of the trail will be around the perimeter of Chimney Rock State Park. Weed Patch Mountain Trail, a national award-winning trail, will be included in this segment. Buffalo Creek Park, Dittmer Watts Park and Chimney Rock State Park will be connected by this segment.
Planning Strategies:Roughly 60% of this segment is on public lands—Buffalo Creek Park and Chimney Rock State Park. The trail can be designed and constructed on these lands. On the eastern side of this segment, detailed corridor planning is required before land can be protected for the trail route.
Projected Timeframe: mid-term
Opportunities:
• Public support • Local planning Large landholdings
Funding Stream/river corridors • Land conservancy support
Land acquisition Floodplain/wetlands Private support
• Public land • Staff resources Sidewalk/bicycle network
Challenges:
• Funding Major roadway crossing Lack of local planning
• Land acquisition Coordinating easements Floodplain/wetlands
• Stream/river crossings Urbanized corridor Local opposition
• Needs detailed alignment • Topography • Long-term management
Segment Details:
Constructed trail: Weed Patch Mountain Trail: 8.6 milesBuffalo Creek Park Loop: 3.5 milesYoungs Mountain Trail: 2.1 milesTotal: 14.2 miles
Route alignment: The route will be co-located with Weed Patch Mountain and Young’s Mountain Trails and on the perimeter of Chimney Rock State Park. The eastern portion will be dependent on land acquisition and easements.
Approximate planned length: 30 miles
Section sponsors: NC State Parks, Town of Lake Lure, Conserving Carolina, Rutherford Outdoor Coalition, and Rutherford County Planning stakeholders: Conserving Carolina, State Parks, Lake Lure, Rutherford County
Next Steps:• Extend Youngs Mountain Trail to provide better public access and parking• Design and construct trail on Chimney Rock State Park• Consider and plan trailhead at World’s Edge• Develop land acquisition plan for eastern side of loop
SEGMENT 3: Lake Lure Loop
HICKORY NUT GORGE STATE TRAIL PLAN
NC Division of Parks and Recreation 2021 12
CONCLUSIONS
1. The Hickory Nut Gorge State Trail provides significant natural, cultural, scenic, and recreational value.
2. There is widespread support for the Hickory Nut Gorge State Trail, from both stakeholders and the public.
• Responses to our stakeholder meetings and online public information session were universally positive.
• Conserving Carolina has already developed an impressive corps of volunteer trail builders and maintainers.
• Conserving Carolina, Town of Lake Lure, and North Carolina State Parks will be some of the major segment
sponsors on the HGST.
3. Much of the HGST is in challenging topography.
• Sustainable trail design and construction techniques will be vital on this trail to avoid environmental impact and
unsafe conditions for trail users.
• Trailhead signage needs to be clear in detailing the difficulty of the trail so that users will be prepared.
• Trail design will be dependent on the proposed user group(S) as determined by the segment sponsor.
• There is widespread support for the trail to have sections for mountain biking and other sections reserved for only
hiking.
• Fortunately, there is minimal and surmountable incompatible features such as roads, intrusive developments, or
large water bodies.
o Crossing Hwy 74 in Segment 1 will be the major challenge
o The potential to use the bridge on Buffalo Shoals Rd over the Broad River warrants further investigation
HICKORY NUT GORGE STATE TRAIL PLAN
NC Division of Parks and Recreation 2021 13
4. Completing the trail to connect the loop around Bearwallow Mountain and the loop around Lake Lure will be the most challenging because of the lack of public land.
• Further planning is needed to refine where the trail will be in Segment 2.
• Ideally, local partners will reach out to private landowners to seek permanent easements for the trail corridor.
• The eastern side of the loop around Lake Lure will pose the same challenges.
5. With their history of commitment to and investment in the HGST, Conserving Carolina should serve as the primary support organization for the HGST.
HICKORY NUT GORGE STATE TRAIL PLAN
NC Division of Parks and Recreation 2021 14
NEXT STEPS
Planning:
1. Chimney Rock State Park Segment: The North Carolina State Parks Trails Program should develop the design for the trail segment through Chimney Rock State Park, when funding for construction is identified.
2. Access Across Broad River: North Carolina State Parks needs to partner with NCDOT to investigate the potential of providing bicycle and pedestrian accommodation on Buffalo Shoals Road as well as Highway 9 across the Broad River.
3. Species Protection: Special care needs to be taken to not disturb vulnerable animal and plant species when locating the trail in Segment 2.
4. Permanent Trail Easements: Conserving Carolinas and other local partners should begin landowner outreach to obtain permanent trail easements for the trail corridor in Segments 2 and 3.
Branding:
The Division will develop a branding package for the HGST. This will include logos, blaze design and placement, and best practices for sign placement.
HICKORY NUT GORGE STATE TRAIL PLAN
NC Division of Parks and Recreation 2021 15
Funding:
1. Additional Funding: Additional funding to supplement federal funding would facilitate and expedite completion of the Hickory Nut Gorge State Trail. The NC Trails Program received twice as many applications for trail funding as the Recreational Trails Program grant was able to fund.
2. Land Acquisition: Funding for land acquisition and trail easements from willing sellers will be essential to complete the trail
3. Trail Construction: Once the land or corridor is acquired, segment sponsors will need funding to design and construct the trail to sustainable standards.
4. Ongoing Maintenance and Management: Ongoing maintenance and management of the trail will be critical to its long-term success.
Designation of Completed Segments:
A State Trail authorization by the NC General Assembly is very broad in scope. Initial corridor planning and then trail design determine exactly where the trail will be located. However, constructed trail is not part of the State Trail until it is designated by the Secretary of Natural and Cultural Resources. The segment sponsor must apply to NC State Parks for the designation once the trail segment is completely constructed. Criteria for designation include public access, a viable emergency management plan, detailing facilities available to the public, and inspection by a regional trails specialist or state trails planner. Once a trail has been designated, it can then post the state trail signage.
App
endi
x 1:
H
icko
ry N
ut G
orge
Sta
te
Trai
l Pub
lic I
nput
Sur
vey
NC D
ivis
ion
of P
arks
and
Rec
reat
ion
Q1.
Wha
t do
you
feel
is th
e m
ost i
mpo
rtan
t rea
son
to d
evel
op a
stat
e tr
ail?
Q2.
Whe
re d
o yo
u fe
el w
ould
be
the
best
pla
ce fo
r you
to a
cces
s thi
s tra
il?
050100
150
200
250
300
350
Recr
eatio
nPr
otec
t the
Envi
ronm
ent
Conn
ect P
eopl
eto
Nat
ure
Incr
ease
the
Heal
th a
ndW
elln
ess o
fLo
cal W
elln
ess
Brin
g Ec
onom
icVi
talit
y to
the
Regi
on
Incr
ease
Tou
rism
Incr
ease
Prop
erty
Val
ues
Wha
t do
you
feel
is th
e m
ost i
mpo
rtan
t rea
son
to d
evel
op a
stat
e tr
ail?
020406080100
120
140
160
Segm
ent 1
Segm
ent 2
Chim
ney
Rock
Sta
tePa
rk
Lake
Lur
e,N
CCh
imne
yRo
ck, N
CSe
gmen
t 3Fl
oren
ceN
atur
ePr
eser
ve
Buffa
loCr
eek
Park
Oth
er
Whe
re d
o yo
u fe
el w
ould
be
the
best
pla
ce fo
r you
to a
cces
s thi
s tra
il?
Hick
ory
Nut
Gor
ge S
tate
Tra
il Pu
blic
Inpu
t Sur
vey
Resu
lts
NC D
ivis
ion
of P
arks
and
Rec
reat
ion
Q3.
The
Hic
kory
Nut
Gor
ge S
tate
Tra
il w
ill c
ircle
Lak
e Lu
re a
nd c
onne
ct to
Bea
rwal
low
Mou
ntai
n. W
hat
are
othe
r des
tinat
ions
that
you
wou
ld li
ke to
see
on th
e tr
ail?
This
is no
t an
exha
ustiv
e lis
t of a
ll re
com
men
datio
ns, b
ut th
e m
ost p
reva
lent
. All
sugg
estio
ns w
ill b
e co
nsid
ered
.
Q4.
How
do
you
use
trai
ls?
020406080100
120
rum
blin
gba
ldcl
imbi
nggh
ost t
own
roun
d to
pcl
oven
clif
fsea
gle
rock
shum
ont
little
pisg
ahw
eed
patc
hw
orld
sed
ge
Wha
t are
oth
er d
estin
atio
ns th
at y
ou w
ould
like
to se
e on
the
trai
l?
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
Hiki
ngBi
king
Trai
l Run
ning
Nat
ure
Stud
yPa
ddle
Eque
stria
n
How
do
you
use
trai
ls?
NC D
ivis
ion
of P
arks
and
Rec
reat
ion
Q5.
Wha
t use
s wou
ld y
ou li
ke to
see
on H
icko
ry N
ut G
orge
Sta
te T
rail?
Ple
ase
rank
the
follo
win
g:
Hiki
ng, M
ount
ain
Biki
ng, E
ques
tria
n.
Q6.
Wha
t am
eniti
es d
o yo
u m
ost n
eed
at a
trai
lhea
d?
“Oth
er”
resp
onse
s prim
arily
cons
isted
of a
requ
est f
or R
ock
Clim
bing
Acc
ess.
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
Rank
ed 1
Rank
ed 2
Rank
ed 3
Wha
t use
s wou
ld y
ou li
ke to
see
on H
icko
ry N
ut G
orge
Sta
te T
rail?
Hiki
ngM
ount
ain
Biki
ngEq
uest
rian
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
Park
ing
Rest
room
sIn
form
atio
n M
aps
Acce
ssib
le P
arki
ngW
ater
Oth
er
Wha
t am
eniti
es d
o yo
u m
ost n
eed
at a
trai
lhea
d?
NC D
ivis
ion
of P
arks
and
Rec
reat
ion
Q7.
The
Hic
kory
Nut
Gor
ge S
tate
Tra
il is
uni
quel
y po
sitio
ned
to b
e a
trai
l nex
us —
with
futu
re
conn
ectio
ns to
oth
er tr
ails
in w
este
rn N
orth
Car
olin
a. W
hich
con
nect
ion
do y
ou fe
el is
the
mos
t im
port
ant?
Q8.
Seg
men
t 2 o
f the
trai
l stil
l nee
ds c
onsi
dera
ble
plan
ning
. W
hat w
ould
you
like
this
sect
ion
of th
e tr
ail t
o lo
ok li
ke?
050100
150
200
250
Mou
ntai
ns to
Sea
Stat
e Tr
ail
Ashe
ville
Gree
n Ri
ver
Gam
elan
dsW
ilder
ness
Gate
way
Sta
teTr
ail
Font
a Fl
ora
Stat
e Tr
ail
Ove
rmou
ntai
nVi
ctor
y St
ate
Trai
l
Sout
hM
ount
ains
Stat
e Pa
rk
Ruth
erfo
rdto
n
Wha
t con
nect
ion
do y
ou fe
el is
the
mos
t im
port
ant
050100
150
200
250
300
350
400
450
Imag
e C
Imag
e A
Imag
e B
Wha
t wou
ld y
ou li
ke th
is se
ctio
n of
the
trai
l to
look
like
?
NC D
ivis
ion
of P
arks
and
Rec
reat
ion
Q9.
Do
you
have
any
oth
er c
omm
ents
that
you
wou
ld li
ke to
shar
e ab
out t
he H
icko
ry N
ut G
orge
Sta
te
Trai
l?
This
is no
t an
exha
ustiv
e lis
t of a
ll re
com
men
datio
ns, b
ut th
e m
ost p
reva
lent
. All
sugg
estio
ns w
ill b
e co
nsid
ered
.
App
endi
x 2:
St
ate
Trai
l Des
ign
and
Con
stru
ctio
n To
olbo
x
HO
W I
S A
STA
TE
TR
AIL
CR
EATED
?
Plea
se c
onta
ct th
e st
ate
trai
ls p
rogr
am if
you
hav
e an
y qu
estio
ns a
bout
sta
te tr
ails
.
Scot
t Cro
cker
St
ate
Trai
ls P
rogr
am M
anag
ersc
ott.c
rock
er@
ncpa
rks.g
ov
Smit
h Ra
ynor
St
ate
Trai
ls P
lann
ersm
ith.ra
ynor
@nc
park
s.gov
A n
ew s
tate
trai
l is
auth
oriz
ed b
y th
e G
ener
al A
ssem
bly—
idea
lly a
fter
a fe
asib
ility
ana
lysi
s.
This
ana
lysi
s in
clud
es:
1. S
tate
wid
e si
gnifi
cant
nat
ural
, cul
tura
l, sc
enic
and
recr
eatio
n va
lue
2. E
noug
h po
tent
ial l
engt
h an
d be
auty
to a
ttra
ct v
arie
d an
d si
gnifi
cant
use
from
regi
ons
outs
ide
the
loca
l are
a.
3. M
inim
al a
nd s
urm
ount
able
inco
mpa
tible
feat
ures
suc
h as
road
s, in
trus
ive
deve
lopm
ent o
r lar
ge w
ater
bod
ies.
If a
pote
ntia
l Sta
te T
rail
mee
ts th
ese
basi
c re
quire
men
ts, t
hen
the
feas
ibili
ty o
f inc
lusi
on a
s a
Stat
e Tr
ail i
s ba
sed
on:
1. L
ocal
pub
lic s
uppo
rt fo
r the
gen
eral
con
cept
of a
pub
lic tr
ail a
nd th
e av
aila
bilit
y of
trai
l vol
unte
ers
2. P
rese
nce
of v
iabl
e se
ctio
n sp
onso
rs c
omm
itted
to th
e de
sign
, con
stru
ctio
n, m
aint
enan
ce a
nd m
anag
emen
t of
the
trai
l.
3. E
nviro
nmen
tal a
nd e
cono
mic
sus
tain
abili
ty o
f the
trai
l rou
te.
The
law
that
cre
ates
a s
tate
trai
l may
pla
ce s
ome
rest
rictio
ns o
n th
e tr
ail,
such
as
spec
ific
coun
ties
whe
re it
mus
t be
loca
ted,
but
giv
es fe
w o
ther
det
ails
on
the
trai
l loc
atio
n. T
o m
ove
beyo
nd th
is c
once
pt, d
etai
led
plan
ning
is re
quire
d.
NC
Stat
e Pa
rks
plan
s th
e ge
nera
l cor
ridor
whe
re th
e tr
ail w
ill b
e lo
cate
d. T
he p
lann
ing
proc
ess
incl
udes
mee
ting
with
st
akeh
olde
rs, p
oten
tial s
egm
ent s
pons
ors
and
hold
ing
publ
ic in
form
atio
nal m
eetin
gs.
Usu
ally
, the
pla
nned
cor
ridor
is
5-10
mile
s w
ide
to p
erm
it fo
r seg
men
t spo
nsor
s to
take
adv
anta
ge o
f ava
ilabl
e la
nd a
nd a
dvan
tage
ous
topo
grap
hy.
Segm
ent s
pons
ors
desi
gn a
nd c
onst
ruct
trai
l with
in th
e N
C St
ate
Park
s pl
anne
d tr
ail c
orrid
or. T
his
shou
ld b
e do
ne in
co
ordi
natio
n w
ith N
C St
ate
Park
s to
ens
ure
that
the
segm
ents
will
con
nect
; sus
tain
able
sta
ndar
ds a
re m
et s
o th
at th
e se
gmen
t can
be
auth
oriz
ed a
s an
offi
cial
par
t of t
he s
tate
trai
l; an
d re
sour
ces
can
be le
vera
ged.
Aft
er th
e tr
ail i
s co
nstr
ucte
d, th
e se
gmen
t spo
nsor
app
lies
for s
tate
trai
l des
igna
tion
thro
ugh
NC
Stat
e Pa
rks.
Thi
s pr
oces
s in
volv
es th
e ap
prov
als
of th
e St
ate
Trai
ls P
lann
er, N
orth
Car
olin
a Tr
ails
Com
mitt
ee a
nd th
e Se
cret
ary
of
the
Dep
artm
ent o
f Nat
ural
and
Cul
tura
l Res
ourc
es.
Crite
ria fo
r des
igna
tion
incl
ude
publ
ic a
cces
s, an
em
erge
ncy
man
agem
ent p
lan,
det
ailin
g av
aila
ble
amen
ities
and
insp
ectio
n by
a re
gion
al tr
ails
spe
cial
ist.
STATE
TR
AIL
S IN
NO
RTH
CA
RO
LIN
A
Wha
t is
a S
tate
Tra
il?
A S
tate
Tra
il is
a li
near
cor
ridor
on
land
or w
ater
, pro
tect
ed fr
om v
ehic
ular
traffi
c, p
rovi
ding
pub
lic a
cces
s fo
r non
-mot
oriz
ed
recr
eatio
n or
tran
spor
tatio
n. A
ll St
ate
Trai
ls m
ust b
e au
thor
ized
by
the
Gen
eral
Ass
embl
y.
Whe
re a
re t
he S
tate
Tra
ils?
Curr
ently
, the
re a
re n
ine
Stat
e Tr
ails
in N
orth
Car
olin
a:
■■
Dee
p Ri
ver S
tate
Tra
il fr
om Ja
mes
tow
n to
Mon
cure
■■
Font
a Fl
ora
Stat
e Tr
ail w
hich
circ
les L
ake
Jam
es in
Bur
ke a
nd M
cDow
ell C
ount
ies a
nd e
xten
ds w
est t
o As
hevi
lle
■■
Fren
ch B
road
Riv
er S
tate
Tra
il in
Tra
nsyl
vani
a, H
ende
rson
, Bun
com
be a
nd M
adis
on C
ount
ies
■■
Hic
kory
Nut
Gor
ge S
tate
Tra
il in
Hen
ders
on, R
uthe
rfor
d, a
nd B
unco
mbe
Cou
ntie
s.
■■
Mou
ntai
ns-t
o-Se
a St
ate
Trai
l str
etch
ing
from
Clin
gman
’s D
ome
to Jo
ckey
’s Ri
dge
Stat
e Pa
rk
■■
Nor
ther
n Pe
aks S
tate
Tra
il w
ill c
onne
ct B
oone
to W
est J
effer
son
alon
g a
serie
s of m
ount
ain
peak
s, in
clud
ing
Elk
Knob
St
ate
Park
and
Mou
nt Je
ffers
on S
tate
Nat
ural
Are
a.
■■
Ove
rmou
ntai
n Vi
ctor
y St
ate
Trai
l tra
ces
the
rout
e us
ed b
y pa
trio
t m
ilitia
in N
orth
Car
olin
a du
ring
the
King
s M
tn
cam
paig
n of
178
0.
■■
Wild
erne
ss G
atew
ay S
tate
Tra
il co
nnec
ts t
he H
icko
ry N
ut G
orge
Sta
te T
rail
to S
outh
Mtn
s St
ate
Park
, Val
dese
and
H
icko
ry.
■■
Yadk
in R
iver
Sta
te T
rail
in W
ilkes
, Sur
ry, Y
adki
n, F
orsy
th, D
avid
son,
Row
an a
nd D
avie
Cou
ntie
s
Thes
e tr
ails
sha
re le
gal s
tatu
s as
com
pone
nts
of th
e St
ate
Park
s Sy
stem
. Th
is d
istin
guis
hes
them
from
oth
er re
gion
al a
nd
loca
l tra
ils a
nd p
athw
ays.
Thes
e tr
ails
offe
r op
port
uniti
es f
or r
egio
nal c
onne
ctiv
ity a
nd p
ublic
acc
ess
to s
ome
of N
orth
Ca
rolin
a’s m
ost s
igni
fican
t and
sce
nic
land
scap
es.
Who
man
ages
Sta
te T
rails?
Stat
e Tr
ails
epi
tom
ize
part
ners
hips
. Whi
le a
Sta
te P
ark
is o
pera
ted
and
man
aged
by
the
Div
isio
n of
Par
ks a
nd R
ecre
atio
n, a
St
ate
Trai
l is c
ompr
ised
of m
ultip
le c
onne
cted
sect
ions
and
eac
h se
ctio
n of
the
trai
l is s
pons
ored
by
a st
ate
or fe
dera
l age
ncy,
lo
cal g
over
nmen
t or p
rivat
e la
ndow
ner.
Sect
ion
spon
sors
bui
ld, m
aint
ain
and
man
age
thei
r sec
tion
of th
e tr
ail. T
his i
nclu
des l
ocat
ion,
des
ign,
surf
ace,
per
mitt
ed u
ses
and
amen
ities
. Sec
tion
spon
sors
reta
in a
utho
rity
on la
nds u
nder
thei
r jur
isdi
ctio
n. T
hey
are
enco
urag
ed to
show
case
pla
ces
of n
atur
al, s
ceni
c, h
isto
ric a
nd c
ultu
ral s
igni
fican
ce; t
o fe
atur
e th
e di
vers
ity o
f the
nat
ural
com
mun
ities
and
land
scap
es in
the
stat
e; to
con
side
r the
nee
ds o
f bot
h lo
ng a
nd sh
ort d
ista
nce
hike
rs; a
nd to
em
ploy
reco
gniz
ed st
anda
rds o
f sus
tain
able
trai
l de
sign
and
con
stru
ctio
n. O
ften
, and
idea
lly, s
ectio
n sp
onso
rs a
re s
uppo
rted
by
dedi
cate
d vo
lunt
eers
.
The
over
all t
rail
corr
idor
pla
nnin
g an
d co
ordi
natio
n ar
e th
e re
spon
sibi
lity
of th
e D
ivis
ion
of P
arks
and
Rec
reat
ion.
The
Div
isio
n w
ill p
rovi
de g
uida
nce,
coo
rdin
atio
n an
d as
sist
ance
for t
he m
ultip
le se
ctio
n sp
onso
rs w
hose
indi
vidu
al a
nd d
iver
se se
ctio
ns li
nk
toge
ther
to fo
rm th
e St
ate
Trai
l. W
orki
ng to
geth
er o
n co
nnec
ting
sect
ions
of a
Sta
te T
rail
is a
way
for c
omm
uniti
es to
leve
rage
th
eir i
nves
tmen
ts in
trai
ls to
max
imiz
e th
e va
lue
for t
heir
citiz
ens.
Plea
se c
onta
ct th
e st
ate
trai
ls p
rogr
am if
you
hav
e an
y qu
estio
ns a
bout
sta
te tr
ails
.
Scot
t Cro
cker
St
ate
Trai
ls P
rogr
am M
anag
ersc
ott.c
rock
er@
ncpa
rks.g
ov
Smit
h Ra
ynor
St
ate
Trai
ls P
lann
ersm
ith.ra
ynor
@nc
park
s.gov
STATE
TR
AIL
VO
LUN
TEE
RS
Plea
se c
onta
ct th
e st
ate
trai
ls p
rogr
am if
you
hav
e an
y qu
estio
ns a
bout
sta
te tr
ails
. Sc
ott C
rock
er
Stat
e Tr
ails
Pro
gram
Man
ager
scot
t.cro
cker
@nc
park
s.gov
Smit
h Ra
ynor
St
ate
Trai
ls P
lann
ersm
ith.ra
ynor
@nc
park
s.gov
A S
tate
Tra
il m
oves
from
con
cept
to re
ality
thro
ugh
part
ners
hip.
Sin
ce S
tate
Tra
ils a
re u
nits
of t
he S
tate
Par
ks s
yste
m, N
orth
Car
olin
a St
ate
Park
s pl
ans
the
over
all r
oute
of t
he S
tate
Tra
il. V
ario
us S
egm
ent S
pons
ors
coor
dina
te th
e co
nstr
uctio
n, m
anag
emen
t and
m
aint
enan
ce o
f the
trai
ls o
n th
e pr
oper
ty th
at th
ey m
anag
e. T
he tr
ue b
ackb
one
of th
e eff
ort t
o m
ake
a St
ate
Trai
l a re
ality
are
the
volu
ntee
rs. V
olun
teer
s co
nstr
uct a
nd m
aint
ain
segm
ents
of e
ach
of o
ur S
tate
Tra
ils in
coo
pera
tion
with
the
Segm
ent S
pons
or. T
his
effor
t tak
es th
ousa
nds
of v
olun
teer
s. S
o, e
ach
of th
e St
ate
Trai
ls h
as a
n or
gani
zatio
n th
at is
ded
icat
ed to
sup
port
ing
volu
ntee
r eff
orts
. If
you
wou
ld li
ke to
vol
unte
er—
and
we
hope
you
do—
plea
se c
onta
ct o
ne o
f the
se o
rgan
izat
ions
.
Dee
p Ri
ver S
tate
Tra
ilRa
ndol
ph C
ount
y Tr
ails
Adv
isor
y Co
unci
lm
aryj
oan.
pugh
@ra
ndol
phco
unty
nc.g
ov(3
36) 9
63-2
715
Fren
ch B
road
Sta
te T
rail
Rive
rlin
kht
tps:
//riv
erlin
k.or
g/ge
t-in
volv
ed/v
olun
teer
/vo
lunt
eer@
river
link.
org
(828
) 252
-847
4 x1
12
Font
a Fl
ora
Stat
e Tr
ail
Frie
nds
of F
onta
Flo
ra S
tate
Tra
ilfr
iend
soffo
ntafl
ora@
gmai
l.com
(828
) 652
-712
1 x1
333
Hic
kory
Nut
Gor
ge S
tate
Tra
ilCo
nser
ving
Car
olin
aht
tps:
//co
nser
ving
caro
lina.
org/
get-
invo
lved
/vol
unte
er-w
ith-u
s/pe
ter@
cons
ervi
ngca
rolin
a.or
g(8
28) 6
97-5
777
Mou
ntai
ns-t
o-Se
a St
ate
Trai
l (M
ST)
Frie
nds
of th
e M
ST h
ttps
://m
ount
ains
tose
atra
il.or
g/ge
t-in
volv
ed/v
olun
teer
/ b
brow
n@m
ount
ains
tose
atra
il.or
g (9
19) 8
25-0
297
Nor
ther
n Pe
aks
Stat
e Tr
ail
Blue
Rid
ge C
onse
rvan
cyw
ww
.blu
erid
geco
nser
vanc
y.or
g in
fo@
blue
ridge
cons
erva
ncy.
org
(828
) 264
-251
1
Ove
rmou
ntai
n Vi
ctor
y St
ate
Trai
lO
verm
ount
ain
Vict
ory
Trai
l Ass
ocia
tion
htt
ps://
ww
w.o
vta.
org/
tpva
ugha
n@ao
l.com
(423
) 366
-863
9
Wild
erne
ss G
atew
ay S
tate
Tra
ilFo
othi
lls C
onse
rvan
cy o
f Nor
th C
arol
ina
http
s://
ww
w.fo
othi
llsco
nser
vanc
y.or
g/vo
lunt
eer
(828
) 437
-993
0
Yadk
in R
iver
Sta
te T
rail
Yadk
in R
iver
keep
erht
tps:
//w
ww
.yad
kinr
iver
keep
er.o
rg/v
olun
teer
info
@ya
dkin
river
keep
er.o
rg(3
36) 7
22-4
949
STATE
TR
AIL
S A
ND
PR
IVATE
LAN
DO
WN
ERS
Plea
se c
onta
ct th
e st
ate
trai
ls p
rogr
am if
you
hav
e an
y qu
estio
ns a
bout
sta
te tr
ails
.
Scot
t Cro
cker
St
ate
Trai
ls P
rogr
am M
anag
ersc
ott.c
rock
er@
ncpa
rks.g
ov
Smit
h Ra
ynor
St
ate
Trai
ls P
lann
ersm
ith.ra
ynor
@nc
park
s.gov
Befo
re a
sta
te tr
ail c
an c
ross
priv
ate
prop
erty
, eith
er N
C St
ate
Park
s or
the
segm
ent s
pons
or m
ust n
egot
iate
an
ease
men
t or
fee
sim
ple
purc
hase
of t
he tr
ail c
orrid
or fr
om a
will
ing
land
owne
r. T
he la
ndow
ner c
an d
onat
e th
e la
nd o
r the
ea
sem
ent a
nd b
enefi
t fro
m a
ny a
pplic
able
tax
adva
ntag
es.
A tr
ail e
asem
ent i
s a
situ
atio
n w
here
the
land
owne
r mak
es th
eir l
and
avai
labl
e fo
r a p
ublic
trai
l with
out h
avin
g to
su
bdiv
ide
the
land
or l
ose
owne
rshi
p of
the
land
. The
eas
emen
t goe
s w
ith th
e la
nd, s
o ev
en if
the
land
owne
r mov
es
away
, the
trai
l will
be
perm
anen
tly p
rote
cted
.
In e
ither
cas
e, e
asem
ent o
r pur
chas
e, N
C St
ate
Park
s on
ly w
orks
with
will
ing
land
owne
rs.
1.
A w
illin
g la
ndow
ner l
ets
Stat
e Pa
rks
know
that
they
will
con
side
r sel
ling
land
for a
trai
l on
thei
r pro
pert
y.
2.
If th
e la
ndow
ner i
nten
ds to
sel
l the
eas
emen
t or f
ee s
impl
e, S
tate
Par
ks w
ill a
rran
ge fo
r an
appr
aisa
l of t
he
prop
erty
. The
app
rais
er w
ill c
onta
ct th
e la
ndow
ner f
or p
erm
issi
on to
app
rais
e th
e pr
oper
ty in
ord
er to
det
erm
ine
its fa
ir m
arke
t val
ue. T
he S
tate
pay
s th
e co
st o
f the
app
rais
al.
Not
e: If
the
land
owne
r int
ends
to d
onat
e so
me
or a
ll th
e va
lue
of th
e fe
e or
eas
emen
t, an
d al
so in
tend
s to
clai
m so
me
tax
dona
tion,
it is
the
land
owne
rs’ r
espo
nsib
ility
to o
btai
n th
eir o
wn
appr
aisa
l.
3.
Onc
e th
e ap
prai
sal i
s co
mpl
eted
, the
Sta
te P
rope
rty
Offi
ce w
ill c
onta
ct th
e la
ndow
ner w
ith a
n off
er. T
he
land
owne
r can
acc
ept o
r rej
ect t
his
offer
.
4.
If th
e off
er is
acc
epte
d, th
e St
ate
Prop
erty
Offi
ce w
ill p
repa
re a
n op
tion
agre
emen
t. T
his
lega
l con
trac
t set
s a
date
for t
he S
tate
to c
ompl
ete
form
aliz
ing
the
sale
or e
asem
ent.
The
land
owne
r mus
t res
erve
the
right
for t
he
ease
men
t to
the
Stat
e un
til th
e en
d da
te o
n th
e op
tion
agre
emen
t.
5.
A fo
rmal
sur
vey
of th
e pr
opos
ed p
rope
rty
is c
ompl
eted
aft
er th
e op
tion
agre
emen
t has
bee
n si
gned
by
the
land
owne
r. T
his
surv
ey id
entifi
es th
e ex
act p
rope
rty
that
will
be
conv
eyed
for t
he tr
ail.
The
Sta
te p
ays
the
cost
of
the
appr
aisa
l and
the
surv
ey.
6.
Nor
th C
arol
ina
law
requ
ires
that
all
conv
eyan
ce o
f rea
l est
ate
to th
e St
ate,
whe
ther
fee
or e
asem
ent,
mus
t be
appr
oved
by
the
Coun
cil o
f Sta
te. T
he S
tate
Pro
pert
y O
ffice
will
han
dle
this
.
7.
In th
e ca
se o
f sel
ling
prop
erty
, the
Sta
te w
ill a
rran
ge w
ith a
loca
l att
orne
y to
dra
ft th
e de
ed to
the
Stat
e, to
obt
ain
the
nece
ssar
y si
gnat
ures
from
bot
h th
e St
ate
and
the
land
owne
r, to
tran
sfer
any
fund
s fr
om th
e St
ate
to th
e la
ndow
ner a
t clo
sing
, and
to h
ave
docu
men
ts re
cord
ed w
ith th
e co
unty
’s Re
gist
er o
f Dee
ds.
8.
In th
e ca
se o
f se
lling
an
ease
men
t (co
nvey
ing
an e
asem
ent)
, the
Sta
te w
ill h
ave
an e
asem
ent d
ocum
ent d
raft
ed,
whi
ch w
ill o
utlin
e an
y re
stric
tions
on
the
prop
erty
. G
ener
ally
, thi
s in
clud
es lo
ggin
g an
d hu
ntin
g on
the
actu
al
prop
erty
cov
ered
by
the
ease
men
t. A
ll ea
sem
ents
will
per
mit
publ
ic a
cces
s to
the
trai
l on
the
prop
erty
.
9.
Onc
e te
rms
of th
e ea
sem
ent a
re fi
nal,
the
Stat
e w
ill a
rran
ge w
ith a
loca
l att
orne
y to
obt
ain
the
nece
ssar
y si
gnat
ures
from
bot
h th
e St
ate
and
the
land
owne
r, to
tran
sfer
any
fund
s fr
om th
e St
ate
to th
e la
ndow
ner,
and
to
have
doc
umen
ts re
cord
ed w
ith th
e co
unty
’s Re
gist
er o
f Dee
ds. T
he e
asem
ent i
s pe
rman
ent,
and
note
d on
the
title
to th
e la
nd, s
o it
will
go
with
the
land
eve
n if
the
land
is s
old.
Thi
s w
ill p
rote
ct th
e tr
ail f
or fu
ture
gen
erat
ions
.
10.
If th
e la
ndow
ner d
ecid
es th
at a
don
atio
n of
pro
pert
y is
pre
fera
ble
beca
use
of p
oten
tial t
ax a
dvan
tage
s or
pe
rson
al p
refe
renc
e, S
tate
Par
ks w
ill p
ay fo
r the
sur
vey
and
clos
ing
cost
s, bu
t not
an
appr
aisa
l.
*Thi
s pro
cess
can
take
a y
ear t
o co
mpl
ete.
SUST
AIN
ABLE
TR
AIL
DES
IGN
Prop
erly
des
igni
ng tr
ails
is b
oth
an a
rt a
nd a
sci
ence
. Su
stai
nabl
e tr
ail d
esig
n re
duce
s en
viro
nmen
tal i
mpa
ct; i
ncre
ases
vi
sito
r saf
ety;
and
is m
ore
aest
hetic
ally
ple
asin
g. T
he g
oal i
s to
kee
p w
ater
off
the
trai
l. In
alm
ost e
very
inst
ance
, the
su
stai
nabl
e tr
ail n
eeds
follo
w th
e co
ntou
rs o
f the
land
.
NC
Stat
e Pa
rks
stro
ngly
reco
mm
ends
that
seg
men
t spo
nsor
s us
e a
prof
essi
onal
trai
l bui
lder
to le
ad th
e de
sign
and
co
nstr
uctio
n of
trai
ls. T
echn
ical
ass
ista
nce
in tr
ail d
esig
n is
ava
ilabl
e fr
om th
e St
ate
Trai
ls P
rogr
am.
Plea
se s
ee th
e w
ebsi
te,
http
s://
trai
ls.n
c.go
v/ fo
r con
tact
info
rmat
ion.
The
five
esse
ntia
l ele
men
ts o
f sus
tain
able
trai
ls: (
adap
ted
from
Tra
il So
lutio
ns)
1. H
alf R
ule:
The
trai
l nee
ds to
mov
e ac
ross
the
land
scap
e so
that
the
slop
e of
the
trai
l is
less
than
hal
f of t
he s
lope
of t
he
land
on
eith
er s
ide
of th
e tr
ail.
Oth
erw
ise,
wat
er w
ill ru
n do
wn
the
trai
l cau
sing
a m
yria
d of
issu
es in
clud
ing
eros
ion
and
redu
ced
user
saf
ety
and
expe
rienc
e. S
urpr
isin
gly,
this
is m
ost c
omm
only
an
issu
e in
gen
tly s
lopi
ng te
rrai
n.
2. T
en P
erce
nt A
vera
ge G
uide
line:
The
ave
rage
ove
rall
grad
e of
the
entir
e tr
ail s
houl
d be
10%
or l
ess
to b
e su
stai
nabl
e.
This
app
lies
to m
ost s
oil t
ypes
, min
imiz
es e
rosi
on, a
llow
s de
sign
flex
ibili
ty, a
nd a
ccom
mod
ates
und
ulat
ions
.
3. M
axim
um S
usta
inab
le T
rail
Gra
de: W
hile
10%
is th
e m
axim
um a
vera
ge tr
ail g
rade
, sec
tions
of t
rail
can
exce
ed 1
0%
depe
ndin
g on
a h
ost o
f fac
tors
incl
udin
g so
il ty
pe, s
ides
lope
, ann
ual r
ainf
all,
grad
e re
vers
als,
type
of u
sers
and
the
num
ber o
f use
rs.
A tr
ail p
rofe
ssio
nal i
s be
st e
quip
ped
to h
elp
you
deci
de th
e m
axim
um g
rade
of y
our t
rail.
Trai
l 15%
Gra
deSi
desl
ope
20%
Gra
de
Wat
er w
ill fl
ow
dow
n tr
ail.
This
trai
l bre
aks
the
Hal
f Rul
e.
Trai
l 8%
Gra
deSi
desl
ope
20%
Gra
de
Wat
er w
ill s
heet
ac
ross
trai
l.Th
is tr
ail m
eets
th
e H
alf R
ule.
Gra
de10
%
Rise
= 1
0’
Run
= 1
00’
9%
7%5%
15%
4%
Elev
. 450
’
Run
= 1
00’
Rise
= 8
’
Elev
. 458
’
4. G
rade
Rev
ersa
ls: T
his
is a
loca
tion
on a
trai
l whe
re th
e gr
ade
chan
ges
dire
ctio
n. I
f the
trai
l is
goin
g up
hill,
ther
e ne
ed
to b
e po
ints
, abo
ut e
very
20’
-50’
whe
re th
e tr
ail l
evel
s ou
t and
goe
s do
wnh
ill g
radu
ally
for 1
0’-5
0’. I
t is
prim
arily
a
way
to u
se g
ravi
ty to
ens
ure
that
wat
er g
ets
off th
e tr
ail s
urfa
ce.
It al
so is
a re
war
d fo
r the
use
r, al
low
ing
them
to u
se
diffe
rent
mus
cles
and
rest
ing
a lit
tle d
urin
g an
ext
ende
d cl
imb.
5. O
utsl
ope:
The
out
er (d
ownh
ill) e
dge
of a
trai
l sho
uld
be s
lope
d ap
prox
imat
ely
3-5%
dow
nhill
. Thi
s is
yet
ano
ther
co
nstr
uctio
n te
chni
que
that
hel
ps to
kee
p w
ater
off
the
surf
ace
of a
trai
l.
A g
rade
reve
rsal
fo
rces
wat
er to
dr
ain
off th
e tr
ail.
5% O
utsl
ope
Reco
mm
ende
d Re
sour
ces:
Trai
l Sol
utio
ns: I
MBA
’s G
uide
to B
uild
ing
Swee
t Sin
glet
rack
. Int
erna
tiona
l Mou
ntai
n Bi
cycl
ing
Ass
ocia
tion,
Bou
lder
, CO
, 200
4.Eq
uest
rian
Des
ign
Gui
debo
ok fo
r Tra
ils, T
railh
eads
, and
Cam
pgro
unds
. USD
A F
ores
t Ser
vice
, Mis
soul
a, M
T, 2
007
Am
eric
a Tr
ails
— w
ww
.am
eric
atra
ils.o
rg
All
imag
es a
re fr
om T
rail
Solu
tions
: IM
BA’s
Gui
de to
Bui
ldin
g Sw
eet S
ingl
etra
ck
Plea
se c
onta
ct th
e st
ate
trai
ls p
rogr
am if
you
hav
e an
y qu
estio
ns a
bout
sta
te tr
ails
.
Scot
t Cro
cker
St
ate
Trai
ls P
rogr
am M
anag
ersc
ott.c
rock
er@
ncpa
rks.g
ov
Smit
h Ra
ynor
St
ate
Trai
ls P
lann
ersm
ith.ra
ynor
@nc
park
s.gov
TR
AIL
S A
S H
ABIT
ATS
The
new
s abo
ut th
e st
ate
of th
e na
tura
l wor
ld is
grim
. Ove
r 8,5
00 sp
ecie
s in
Nor
th A
mer
ica
are
at ri
sk o
f ext
inct
ion.
95%
of
the
Uni
ted
Stat
es h
as b
een
logg
ed, t
illed
, dra
ined
, gra
zed,
pav
ed o
r oth
erw
ise
deve
lope
d1 . Clim
ate
chan
ge is
upo
n us
. M
any
peop
le d
o no
t fee
l any
con
nect
ion
to th
e na
tura
l wor
ld. H
abita
t fra
gmen
tatio
n m
akes
eve
n la
rge
plan
t and
ani
mal
po
pula
tions
smal
l and
isol
ated
from
eac
h ot
her,
whi
ch in
crea
ses t
he ri
sk fo
r loc
al e
xtin
ctio
ns.
Ther
e is
goo
d ne
ws.
Trai
ls c
an p
rovi
de v
ital b
iolo
gica
l cor
ridor
s tha
t ena
ble
spec
ies t
o m
ove
betw
een
habi
tats
. Ad
ditio
nally
, with
thou
ghtf
ul m
anag
emen
t, tr
ails
bec
ome
vita
l hab
itats
, esp
ecia
lly in
urb
an a
nd su
burb
an a
reas
.
Onc
e yo
u ha
ve d
esig
ned
and
cons
truc
ted
a su
stai
nabl
e tr
ail,
you
can
crea
te q
ualit
y ha
bita
t util
izin
g th
e fo
llow
ing
step
s:
1. R
emov
e in
vasi
ve p
lant
spec
ies.
Inva
sive
pla
nts t
ruly
lim
it an
eco
syst
em’s
abili
ty to
func
tion.
If y
ou n
eed
help
de
term
inin
g w
hich
pla
nts a
long
the
trai
l are
inva
sive
, go
to h
ttp:
//nc
-ipc.
wee
bly.
com
/nc-
inva
sive
-pla
nts.h
tml. T
his
is th
e w
ebsi
te fo
r the
NC
Inva
sive
Pla
nt C
ounc
il an
d is
an
exce
llent
reso
urce
. You
will
not
ice
that
som
e of
the
wor
st
inva
sive
s are
still
bei
ng so
ld in
nur
serie
s.
2. P
lant
key
ston
e sp
ecie
s. Re
sear
ch h
as sh
own
that
a fe
w g
ener
a of
nat
ive
plan
ts u
nder
gird
mos
t loc
al e
cosy
stem
s. Th
ese
spec
ies i
nclu
de n
ativ
e oa
ks, c
herr
ies,
will
ows,
gold
enro
ds a
nd a
ster
s. To
get
a sp
ecifi
c lis
t for
you
r are
a, c
onsu
lt th
e N
atio
nal W
ildlif
e Fe
dera
tion’
s Nat
ive
Plan
t Fin
der a
t htt
ps://
ww
w.n
wf.o
rg/N
ativ
ePla
ntFi
nder
.
3. P
lant
for s
peci
alis
t pol
linat
ors.
Whi
le th
e M
onar
ch b
utte
rfly
is p
roba
bly
the
best
kno
wn
spec
ialis
t pol
linat
or, m
any
bees
, but
terfl
ies a
nd o
ther
nat
ive
inse
cts p
ollin
ate
only
one
pla
nt, o
r pla
nt g
roup
. Nor
th C
arol
ina
Coop
erat
ive
Exte
nsio
n off
ers r
esou
rces
for p
lant
ing
for s
peci
alis
t pol
linat
ors a
t
http
s://g
row
ings
mal
lfarm
s.ces
.ncs
u.ed
u/gr
owin
gsm
allfa
rms-
polli
nato
rcon
serv
atio
n/.
4. P
lant
mor
e pl
ants
. Be
gene
rous
with
you
r pla
ntin
gs a
nd b
e su
re to
con
side
r inc
reas
ing
the
dive
rsity
of y
our p
lant
s, al
ong
with
the
abun
danc
e. T
hink
abo
ut v
ertic
al la
yers
whe
n pl
anni
ng y
our p
lant
ings
.
5. D
on’t
use
turf
gras
s to
edge
you
r tra
il. U
se a
nat
ive
grou
ndco
ver a
nd re
duce
you
r mai
nten
ance
—an
d m
ake
the
edge
ha
bita
t far
mor
e in
vitin
g fo
r a h
ost o
f spe
cies
.
Plea
se c
onta
ct th
e st
ate
trai
ls p
rogr
am if
you
hav
e an
y qu
estio
ns a
bout
stat
e tr
ails
.
Scot
t Cro
cker
St
ate
Trai
ls P
rogr
am M
anag
ersc
ott.c
rock
er@
ncpa
rks.g
ov
Smit
h Ra
ynor
St
ate
Trai
ls P
lann
ersm
ith.ra
ynor
@nc
park
s.gov
Reso
urce
s:Ta
llam
y, D
ougl
as. N
atur
e’s B
est H
ope.
Tim
ber P
ress
, Por
tland
, OR,
201
9
1 Nat
ure’s
Bes
t Hop
e by
Dou
glas
Talla
my
INVA
SIV
E PLA
NTS
FOU
ND
IN
TH
E M
OU
NTA
INS
OF
NO
RTH
CA
RO
LIN
A
Tree
sTr
ee o
f Hea
ven
(Aila
nthu
s alti
ssim
a)M
imos
a (A
lbiz
ia ju
libris
sin)
Prin
cess
Tre
e (P
aulo
wni
a to
men
tosa
)Br
adfo
rd P
ear (
Pyru
s cal
lery
ana
)
Shru
bsLe
athe
rleaf
Mah
onia
(Ber
beris
bea
lei )
Japa
nese
bar
berr
y (B
erbe
ris th
unbe
rgii)
Butt
erfly
bus
h (B
uddl
eja
davi
dii)
Russ
ian
oliv
e (E
laea
gnus
ang
ustif
olia
)Th
orny
oliv
e (E
laea
gnus
pun
gens
)Au
tum
n ol
ive
(Ela
eagn
us u
mbe
llate
)Bu
rnin
g bu
sh (E
uony
mus
ala
ta)
Chin
ese
priv
et (L
igus
trum
sine
nse)
Sacr
ed b
ambo
o (N
andi
na d
omes
tica)
Trifo
liate
ora
nge
(Pon
ciru
s trif
olia
ta)*
**M
ultifl
ora
rose
(Ros
a m
ultifl
ora)
Japa
nese
spi
rea
(Spi
raea
japo
nica
var
. for
tune
)
Vine
sCh
ocol
ate
vine
(Ake
bia
quin
ate)
***
Porc
elai
n be
rry
(Am
pelo
psis
bre
vipe
dunc
ulat
a)Bu
shki
ller (
Cayr
atia
japo
nica
)***
Orie
ntal
bitt
ersw
eet (
Cela
stru
s orb
icul
atus
)Sw
eet A
utum
n Vi
rgin
Bow
er (C
lem
atis
tern
iflor
a)A
ir po
tato
(Dio
scor
ea b
ulbi
fera
)***
Win
ter c
reep
er (E
uony
mus
fort
unei
var
. rad
ican
s)En
glis
h iv
y (H
eder
a he
lix)
Japa
nese
hon
eysu
ckle
(Lon
icer
a ja
poni
ca)
Bush
hon
eysu
ckle
(Lon
icer
a m
aack
ii)M
ile-a
-min
ute
vine
(Per
sica
ria p
erfo
liate
)***
Kudz
u (P
uera
ria m
onta
na)
Japa
nese
wis
teria
(Wis
teria
flor
ibun
da)
Chin
ese
wis
teria
(Wis
teria
sine
nsis
)
Her
bace
ous
Plan
tsG
arlic
mus
tard
(Alli
aria
pet
iola
te)
Smal
l car
petg
rass
(Art
hrax
on h
ispi
dus)
Gia
nt re
ed (A
rund
o do
nax)
***
Cana
da T
hist
le (C
irsiu
m a
rven
se)
Fig
butt
ercu
p (F
icar
ia v
erna
)G
roun
d iv
y (G
lech
oma
hede
race
a)G
iant
hog
wee
d (H
erac
leum
man
tega
zzia
num
)***
Cogo
ngra
ss (I
mpe
rata
cyl
indr
ica)
***
Yello
wfla
g iri
s (Ir
is p
seud
acor
us)
Bico
lor/
shru
b le
sped
eza
(Les
pede
za b
icol
or)
Chin
ese
lesp
edez
a (L
espe
deza
cun
eate
) Pu
rple
loos
estr
ife (L
ythr
um sa
licar
ia)*
**Ja
pane
se s
tiltg
rass
(Mic
rost
egiu
m v
imin
eum
)Ch
ines
e si
lver
gras
s (M
isca
nthu
s sin
ensi
s)M
arsh
Dew
flow
er (M
urda
nnia
kei
sak)
Re
ed c
anar
ygra
ss (P
hala
ris a
rund
inac
ea)
Gol
den
bam
boo
(Phy
llost
achy
s aur
ea)
Japa
nese
kno
twee
d (R
eyno
utria
japo
nica
)W
ineb
erry
(Rub
us p
hoen
icol
asiu
s)
John
son
gras
s (S
orgh
um h
alep
ense
)Pu
rple
Cro
wnv
etch
(Sec
urig
era
varia
)Co
ltsfo
ot (T
ussi
lago
farf
ara)
Plea
se c
onta
ct th
e st
ate
trai
ls p
rogr
am if
you
hav
e an
y qu
estio
ns a
bout
sta
te tr
ails
.
Scot
t Cro
cker
St
ate
Trai
ls P
rogr
am M
anag
ersc
ott.c
rock
er@
ncpa
rks.g
ov
Smit
h Ra
ynor
St
ate
Trai
ls P
lann
ersm
ith.ra
ynor
@nc
park
s.gov
This
list
of i
nvas
ive
spec
ies
was
pre
pare
d w
ith in
form
atio
n fr
om th
e N
C In
vasi
ve P
lant
Cou
ncil
(htt
p://
nc-ip
c.w
eebl
y.co
m/)
an
d ED
DM
apS
(htt
ps://
ww
w.e
ddm
aps.o
rg/)
. The
se o
rgan
izat
ions
are
exc
elle
nt re
sour
ces
for i
nvas
ive
spec
ies.
*** d
enot
es in
vasi
ve sp
ecie
s tha
t are
a fu
ture
thre
at o
r hav
e on
ly b
een
foun
d in
a fe
w o
ccur
renc
es in
the
NC
mou
ntai
ns.
If yo
u fin
d a
plan
t tha
t you
susp
ect i
s inv
asiv
e, p
leas
e re
port
it to
NC
Dep
t. of
Agr
icul
ture
by
calli
ng 1
-800
-206
-933
3 or
by
emai
l: ne
wpe
st@
ncag
r.gov
.
FUN
DIN
G S
OU
RC
ES F
OR
TR
AIL
DEV
ELO
PM
ENT
Fund
ing
Sour
ceA
genc
y/ O
rgan
izat
ion
Not
es
Fede
ral
Recr
eatio
nal T
rails
Pr
ogra
m (R
TP)
Fund
ing
from
FH
WA
, ad
min
iste
red
by N
C St
ate
Park
s
Elig
ible
App
lican
ts: g
over
nmen
t age
ncie
s an
d no
n-pr
ofit o
rgan
izat
ions
El
igib
le P
roje
cts:
trai
l con
stru
ctio
n/m
aint
enan
ce; t
rail
faci
litie
s M
atch
: 25%
(cas
h, in
-kin
d an
d vo
lunt
eer h
ours
)
Land
and
Wat
er
Cons
erva
tion
Fund
NC
Stat
e Pa
rks
Elig
ible
App
lican
ts: S
tate
and
loca
l gov
ernm
ents
Elig
ible
Pro
ject
s: o
utdo
or re
crea
tion
and
land
acq
uisi
tion
Mat
ch: 5
0/50
NPS
Riv
ers,
Tra
ils
and
Cons
erva
tion
Ass
ista
nce
Nat
iona
l Par
k Se
rvic
e
Elig
ible
App
lican
ts: P
roje
ct a
pplic
ants
may
be
stat
e an
d lo
cal a
genc
ies,
trib
es, n
onpr
ofit
orga
niza
tions
, or c
itize
n gr
oups
. Nat
iona
l Par
ks a
nd o
ther
Fed
eral
age
ncie
s m
ay a
pply
in
part
ners
hip
with
oth
er lo
cal o
rgan
izat
ions
. El
igib
le P
roje
cts:
Tech
nica
l ass
ista
nce
for p
roje
cts
dem
onst
ratin
g ta
ngib
le c
onse
rvat
ion
and
recr
eatio
nal r
esul
ts in
the
near
futu
re. A
ssis
tanc
e qu
alifi
es fo
r in-
kind
mat
ch fo
r man
y gr
ants
. M
atch
:
Bett
er U
tiliz
ing
Inve
stm
ent t
o Le
vera
ge
Dev
elop
men
t (BU
ILD
)
U.S
. Dep
artm
ent o
f Tr
ansp
orta
tion
Elig
ible
App
lican
ts: S
tate
, loc
al o
r trib
al g
over
nmen
ts
Elig
ible
Pro
ject
s: T
rans
port
atio
n pr
ojec
ts--
hist
oric
ally
6%
go
to b
ike/
ped
proj
ects
. A
pplic
atio
ns
requ
ire c
ost/
bene
fit a
naly
sis.
Min
pro
ject
siz
e $1
M in
rura
l are
as a
nd $
5M in
urb
an a
reas
M
atch
: 20%
non
fede
ral m
atch
, but
can
be
less
in T
ier 2
and
3 c
ount
ies
Stat
e
Park
s an
d Re
crea
tion
Trus
t Fun
d (P
ART
F)N
C St
ate
Park
s/N
CSU
Re
crea
tion
Reso
urce
Ser
vice
s
Elig
ible
App
lican
ts: l
ocal
gov
ernm
ent
Elig
ible
Pro
ject
s: L
and
acqu
isiti
on a
nd c
onst
ruct
ion
of p
arks
and
recr
eatio
n pr
ojec
ts, i
nclu
ding
tr
ails
M
atch
: 50/
50 (c
ash
or la
nd)
Clea
n W
ater
M
anag
emen
t Tru
st
Fund
(CW
MTF
)
Div
isio
n of
Lan
d an
d W
ater
St
ewar
dshi
p N
C D
NCR
Elig
ible
App
lican
ts: g
over
nmen
t age
ncie
s an
d N
PO’s
Elig
ible
Pro
ject
s: la
nd a
cqui
sitio
n, s
trea
m re
stor
atio
n, p
lann
ing,
sto
rmw
ater
trea
tmen
t te
chno
logy
M
atch
: Str
ongl
y en
cour
aged
Safe
Rou
tes
to S
choo
l Pr
ogra
m
Inte
grat
ed M
obili
ty D
ivis
ion
NC
Dep
artm
ent o
f Tr
ansp
orta
tion
Elig
ible
App
lican
ts: l
ocal
and
regi
onal
ent
ities
El
igib
le P
roje
cts:
Pla
nnin
g, d
evel
opm
ent a
nd im
plem
enta
tion
of p
roje
cts
that
ena
ble
and
enco
urag
e ch
ildre
n to
wal
k to
sch
ool.
Side
wal
ks, s
hare
d us
e pa
ths
and
inte
rsec
tion
impr
ovem
ents
are
all
elig
ible
.M
atch
: 20%
loca
l mat
ch
Stra
tegi
c Tr
ansp
orta
tion
Inve
stm
ents
Nor
th D
epar
tmen
t of
Tran
spor
tatio
n
Elig
ible
App
lican
ts: L
ocal
gov
ernm
ents
Elig
ible
Pro
ject
s: B
icyc
le a
nd p
edes
tria
n an
d pu
blic
tran
spor
tatio
n fa
cilit
ies
that
app
ear i
n a
stat
e, re
gion
al o
r loc
ally
ado
pted
tran
spor
tatio
n pl
an w
ill b
e in
clud
ed in
pro
pose
d ro
adw
ay
proj
ects
. You
r firs
t poi
nt o
f con
tact
sho
uld
be y
our M
etro
polit
an o
r Rur
al P
lann
ing
Org
aniz
atio
n (M
PO/R
PO)
Mat
ch: 2
0% n
on-s
tate
fund
s
Priv
ate
Mad
e in
Nor
th C
arol
ina
Vario
us p
rivat
e fo
unda
tions
Elig
ible
App
lican
ts: V
arie
s, bu
t ten
ds to
incl
ude
NPO
’s an
d go
vern
men
t age
ncie
s El
igib
le
Proj
ects
: Var
ies—
seve
ral i
nclu
de s
peci
fic c
ount
ies
and/
or h
ealth
y ou
tcom
es
Mat
ch: V
arie
s
Duk
e En
ergy
Duk
e En
ergy
Fou
ndat
ion
Elig
ible
App
lican
ts: N
PO o
r gov
ernm
enta
l age
ncy
that
ser
ves
an a
rea
serv
ed b
y D
uke
Pow
er
Elig
ible
Pro
ject
s: C
onse
rvat
ion,
acc
ess
to n
atur
e, h
abita
t and
fore
st re
stor
atio
n an
d co
nser
vatio
n M
atch
:
Blac
k M
tn E
ndow
men
tCo
mm
unity
Fou
ndat
ion
of
Wes
tern
Nor
th C
arol
ina
Elig
ible
App
lican
ts: N
POs,
gove
rnm
enta
l, ed
ucat
iona
l and
relig
ious
org
aniz
atio
ns s
ervi
ng B
lack
M
ount
ain
and
the
Swan
nano
a Va
lley
(Ow
en S
choo
l Dis
tric
t)El
igib
le P
roje
cts:
The
Fun
d’s i
nten
t is t
o su
ppor
t inn
ovat
ive
proj
ects
and
pro
gram
s in
the
Swan
nano
a Va
lley.
Gra
nts o
f $2,
500
to $
10,0
00 a
re m
ade
for c
harit
able
pur
pose
s, in
clud
ing
prog
ram
mat
ic n
eeds
, equ
ipm
ent a
nd te
chno
logy
, and
cap
ital n
eeds
. At i
ts d
iscr
etio
n, th
e Bl
ack
Mou
ntai
n-Sw
anna
noa
Valle
y En
dow
men
t Fun
d Ad
viso
ry B
oard
may
als
o co
nsid
er g
rant
requ
ests
fo
r gre
ater
or l
esse
r am
ount
s. G
ener
ally
, req
uest
s for
con
tinue
d su
ppor
t for
a g
rant
fund
ed in
the
prio
r yea
r or f
or g
ener
al o
pera
ting
supp
ort w
ill b
e gi
ven
a lo
wer
prio
rity.
M
atch
: Var
ies
Fund
ing
Sour
ceA
genc
y/ O
rgan
izat
ion
Not
es
McD
owel
l Cou
nty
Endo
wm
ent
Com
mun
ity F
ound
atio
n of
W
este
rn N
orth
Car
olin
a
Elig
ible
App
lican
ts: G
rant
s ar
e m
ade
to q
ualifi
ed 5
01(c
)(3),
gove
rnm
enta
l, ed
ucat
iona
l, an
d re
ligio
us o
rgan
izat
ions
ser
ving
McD
owel
l Cou
nty.
El
igib
le P
roje
cts:
The
McD
owel
l End
owm
ent p
rovi
des
gran
ts b
etw
een
$2,5
00 -
$5,0
00 fo
r ch
arita
ble
purp
oses
. At i
ts d
iscr
etio
n, T
he M
cDow
ell E
ndow
men
t Adv
isor
y Bo
ard
may
als
o co
nsid
er g
rant
requ
ests
for g
reat
er o
r les
ser a
mou
nts.
Req
uest
s th
at e
xhib
it th
e gr
eate
st
com
mun
ity b
enefi
t will
be
give
n th
e hi
ghes
t con
side
ratio
n.
Mat
ch: V
arie
s
Ruth
erfo
rd C
ount
y En
dow
men
tCo
mm
unity
Fou
ndat
ion
of
Wes
tern
Nor
th C
arol
ina
Elig
ible
App
lican
ts: G
rant
s ar
e m
ade
to q
ualifi
ed 5
01(c
)(3),
gove
rnm
enta
l, ed
ucat
iona
l, an
d re
ligio
us o
rgan
izat
ions
ser
ving
Rut
herf
ord
Coun
ty.
Elig
ible
Pro
ject
s: G
rant
s of $
2,50
0 to
$10
,000
will
be
mad
e to
non
profi
t org
aniz
atio
ns a
nd p
ublic
ag
enci
es fo
r cha
ritab
le p
urpo
ses,
incl
udin
g pr
ogra
mm
atic
and
cap
ital n
eeds
. Req
uest
s tha
t ex
hibi
t the
gre
ates
t com
mun
ity b
enefi
t (in
clud
ing
requ
ests
add
ress
ing
educ
atio
n; e
arly
chi
ldho
od
deve
lopm
ent;
heal
th a
nd w
elln
ess;
assi
stin
g pe
ople
in n
eed;
art
s, cu
lture
and
nat
ural
reso
urce
s; or
th
e en
viro
nmen
t) w
ill b
e gi
ven
the
high
est c
onsi
dera
tion.
M
atch
: Var
ies
Com
mun
ity
Foun
dati
on
of N
CCo
mm
unity
Fou
ndat
ion
of
Nor
th C
arol
ina
Elig
ible
App
lican
ts: G
rant
s ar
e m
ade
to n
onpr
ofit 5
01(c
)(3) o
rgan
izat
ions
and
pub
lic a
genc
ies
serv
ing
the
follo
win
g 18
cou
ntie
s: A
very
, Bun
com
be, B
urke
, Che
roke
e, C
lay,
Gra
ham
, Hay
woo
d,
Hen
ders
on, J
acks
on, M
acon
, Mad
ison
, McD
owel
l, M
itche
ll, P
olk,
Rut
herf
ord,
Sw
ain,
Tra
nsyl
vani
a an
d Ya
ncey
and
incl
udin
g th
e Q
ualla
Bou
ndar
y.
Elig
ible
Pro
ject
s: V
arie
s —
see
web
site
for d
etai
ls
Mat
ch: V
arie
s
Gol
den
Leaf
Elig
ible
App
lican
ts: N
POs
and
gove
rnm
enta
l age
ncie
s El
igib
le P
roje
cts:
Gra
nts
in th
is p
rogr
am
are
not e
xpec
ted
to e
xcee
d $2
00,0
00. S
ince
requ
ests
are
like
ly to
far e
xcee
d fu
nds
avai
labl
e, th
e Fo
unda
tion
will
be
look
ing
for p
roje
cts
in th
e fo
llow
ing
focu
s ar
eas
of E
cono
mic
Inve
stm
ent a
nd
Job
Crea
tion,
Wor
kfor
ce P
repa
redn
ess
and
Educ
atio
n, A
gric
ultu
re, a
nd C
omm
unity
Vita
lity.
M
atch
:
Bank
of A
mer
ica
Char
itab
le F
ound
atio
nBa
nk o
f Am
eric
a Ch
arit
able
Fo
unda
tion
, Inc
Elig
ible
App
lican
ts: M
ust b
e ta
x-ex
empt
und
er s
ectio
n 50
1(c)
(3) o
f the
Inte
rnal
Rev
enue
Cod
e an
d no
t cla
ssifi
ed a
s a
priv
ate
foun
datio
n.El
igib
le P
roje
cts:
Pro
ject
s st
reng
then
com
mun
ities
by
inve
stin
g in
affo
rdab
le h
ousi
ng,
revi
taliz
atio
n, th
e ar
ts, a
nd th
e en
viro
nmen
t.M
atch
:
Z Sm
ith
Reyn
olds
Z Sm
ith R
eyno
lds
Foun
datio
n
Elig
ible
App
lican
ts:
char
itabl
e, ta
x-ex
empt
, 501
(c)(3
) org
aniz
atio
ns, c
olle
ges/
univ
ersi
ties,
re
ligio
us e
ntiti
es a
nd g
over
nmen
t uni
ts.
Elig
ible
Pro
ject
s: T
he C
olla
bora
tive
Prob
lem
-Sol
ving
app
roac
h is
inte
nded
to s
uppo
rt a
lim
ited
num
ber o
f com
mun
ity p
ropo
sals
that
use
incl
usiv
e, c
olla
bora
tive
and
reso
urce
ful p
roce
sses
to
auth
entic
ally
eng
age
the
com
mun
ity to
tack
le c
halle
nges
and
cre
ate
solu
tions
. In
part
icul
ar, w
e se
ek to
fund
effo
rts
that
wor
k ac
ross
sec
tors
(pub
lic, p
rivat
e, n
onpr
ofit)
and
/or g
eogr
aphi
c lin
es
(mun
icip
al, c
ount
y, e
tc.),
are
bui
lt on
exi
stin
g co
mm
unity
ass
ets,
use
a ra
cial
equ
ity le
ns, a
nd/o
r br
ing
peop
le to
geth
er a
cros
s id
entit
y or
ideo
logy
. M
atch
:
Plea
se c
onta
ct th
e st
ate
trai
ls p
rogr
am if
you
hav
e an
y qu
estio
ns a
bout
sta
te tr
ails
.
Scot
t Cro
cker
St
ate
Trai
ls P
rogr
am M
anag
ersc
ott.c
rock
er@
ncpa
rks.
gov
Smit
h Ra
ynor
St
ate
Trai
ls P
lann
ersm
ith.ra
ynor
@nc
park
s.go
v
BEN
EFIT
S O
F TR
AIL
S
Plea
se c
onta
ct th
e st
ate
trai
ls p
rogr
am if
you
hav
e an
y qu
estio
ns a
bout
sta
te tr
ails
.
Scot
t Cro
cker
St
ate
Trai
ls P
rogr
am M
anag
ersc
ott.c
rock
er@
ncpa
rks.g
ov
Smit
h Ra
ynor
St
ate
Trai
ls P
lann
ersm
ith.ra
ynor
@nc
park
s.gov
Incr
ease
d pr
oper
ty v
alue
s■
■Tr
ails
are
the
mos
t des
ired
com
mun
ity a
men
ity th
at h
omeo
wne
rs s
eek
whe
n bu
ying
a h
ome.
–
Robe
rt C
harle
s Les
ser a
nd C
o, 2
018
■■
Hom
es c
lose
r to
a re
gion
al tr
ail/g
reen
way
are
val
ued
5-9%
mor
e th
an s
imila
r hom
es th
at a
re fa
rthe
r aw
ay
(IT
RE 2
018)
Prom
ote
heal
thy
livi
ng■
■O
ne s
tudy
has
sho
wn
that
for e
very
$1
spen
t on
trai
l dev
elop
men
t, $3
are
sav
ed in
hea
lthca
re c
osts
(A
mer
ican
Hea
rt A
ssoc
iatio
n, 2
011)
■■
Ther
e is
a d
irect
and
mea
sura
ble
corr
elat
ion
betw
een
how
clo
se (u
p to
2.5
mile
s) p
eopl
e liv
e to
bik
ing
and
wal
king
in
fras
truc
ture
and
how
muc
h ex
erci
se th
ey g
et. T
hose
livi
ng w
ithin
1 m
ile o
f a tr
ail g
et a
n av
erag
e of
45
min
utes
/w
eek
mor
e ex
erci
se th
an th
ey d
id b
efor
e a
trai
l was
ava
ilabl
e.
(A
mer
ican
Jour
nal o
f Pub
lic H
ealth
, 201
4)
Prot
ect
the
envi
ronm
ent
■■
Vege
tate
d tr
ail c
orrid
ors
prov
ide
safe
pas
sage
to w
ildlif
e tr
avel
ing
in in
crea
sing
ly u
rban
ized
env
ironm
ents
■■
The
vege
tatio
n pr
otec
ted
with
in a
trai
l cor
ridor
trap
s se
dim
ents
and
slo
ws
wat
er in
ripa
rian
habi
tats
, whi
ch
incr
ease
s w
ater
qua
lity
■■
Trai
ls h
elp
air q
ualit
y bo
th b
y re
duci
ng m
otor
veh
icle
use
and
by
mai
ntai
ning
tree
s w
hich
abs
orb
pollu
tant
s
■■
Prov
ide
habi
tat f
or n
ativ
e sp
ecie
s
Prov
ide
recr
eati
onal
opp
ortu
niti
es■
■H
ikin
g an
d w
alki
ng a
re c
onsi
sten
tly ra
nked
as
the
#1 o
utdo
or a
ctiv
ity a
cros
s ag
e gr
oups
(Adv
entu
re T
rave
l Tra
de
Ass
ocia
tion,
201
7)
Enco
urag
e ec
onom
ic d
evel
opm
ent
■■
Reta
il sh
ops,
rest
aura
nts,
acco
mm
odat
ions
and
oth
er in
dust
ries
in lo
cal a
nd re
gion
al e
cono
mie
s ca
n ex
perie
nce
nota
ble
econ
omic
ben
efits
whe
n in
pro
xim
ity to
a s
hare
d us
e pa
th (I
TRE,
201
8)
■■
The
Am
eric
an To
bacc
o Tr
ail (
22+
mile
trai
l in
Tria
ngle
are
a) c
ontr
ibut
es $
6.1M
to th
e lo
cal e
cono
my
annu
ally
; su
ppor
ts 7
8 jo
bs a
nd g
ener
ates
$2.
2M a
nnua
lly in
labo
r inc
ome
(ITRE
, 201
8)
■■
Cont
ribut
e to
a c
omm
unity
’s id
entit
y
■■
The
Tow
n of
Elk
in is
a p
rime
exam
ple.
Sin
ce p
rom
otin
g th
e M
ST, t
hey
have
see
n ne
w tr
ail-b
ased
bus
ines
ses
reju
vena
te a
n ec
onom
y th
at w
as fo
rmer
ly d
epen
dent
on
the
text
ile in
dust
ry
■■
Prov
ide
alte
rnat
ive
tran
spor
tatio
n op
port
uniti
es
■■
Redu
ces
mot
or v
ehic
le e
mis
sion
s an
d th
e am
ount
of t
raffi
c on
road
s as
com
mut
ers
take
adv
anta
ge o
f alte
rnat
ive
way
s to
get
to w
ork
and
scho
ol.