North Carolina is investing more than $6.6 million in its trail system through a series of grants aimed at improving and extending the network of state trails across nine counties. According to an announcement by the North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation, the funds will support 17 land acquisition projects that are integral to the expansion of the state's trails. The grants, drawn from the Complete the Trails Program, are expected to be magnified by more than $42.9 million in matching funds from local nonprofit state trail partners.
As detailed in a press release by the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, four projects will receive CCST grants totaling over $394,000 to support trail development in smaller communities with populations under 25,000. N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Secretary D. Reid Wilson said, "Trails bring incredible benefits to rural communities, boosting tourism and economic development."
The funding originates from 2021 legislation allocating $29.25 million for state trails, with an extra $5 million added in 2023. These funds support land purchases, capacity building, and small community grants. A second round of CCST funding will be announced in the coming months.
North Carolina's trail network, comprising 14 state trails and over 3,800 planned miles, includes land-based and paddle trails. "State trails in North Carolina have grown tremendously over the last few years, and that growth would not be possible without generous funding from the state and the incredible work that our state trail partners have been doing on the ground," said State Parks Director Brian Strong in the same release. More than 34 state parks, natural areas, and recreation areas host or border these trails, blending recreation with conservation.
