Trail enthusiasts and nature lovers throughout Chatham County, NC, have a reason to celebrate, as the county's Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources Department (CCPRCR) was recently awarded two grants for trail development through the Great Trails State Program. The announcement came from Governor Stein on July 31, outlining the allocation of over $11 million in funding to 37 projects in the Piedmont region, according to a Chatham County news release.
The county was fortunate enough to secure two significant grants. The first, a sum of $251,294, is earmarked for improvements to the Haw River State Trail Pegg Tract, specifically to develop over a mile of natural surface trail and to enhance the paddle access above the Bynum dam at the 15/501 access. The second grant, totaling $75,000, will be used directly to conduct a feasibility study for a Deep River State Trail that could potentially span from Carbonton to Moncure. This study aims to explore possibilities for a land-based trail along the Deep River corridor.
These financial boosts come as a result of the advocacy efforts by the Great State Trails Coalition, a conglomerate of individuals, local agencies, and trail supporters. Their continued push for increased state investment in trails of all kinds – from hiking paths to mountain biking tracks – culminated in North Carolina's 2023 "Year of the Trail," which heralded the largest celebration of trails in U.S. history. With their success in lobbying for the passage of legislation to fund the Great Trails State Grant Program, the coalition secured an initial pot of $25 million dedicated to trail projects statewide, as per Chatham County news release.
Tracy Burnett, Director of Chatham County Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources, provided a statement outlining the significance of the coalition's advocacy. "The Great Trails State Coalition’s effort has been critical in expanding funding for trail projects across the state. We are proud participants in the coalition and as recent recipients of the GTSP grant we are excited and grateful for to continue to develop our trails network in Chatham County," Burnett told the official Chatham County website.
With these grants, Chatham County plans to improve and expand its trails, giving residents and visitors more ways to enjoy the outdoors. The new and improved trails are expected to support recreation, boost the local economy, and promote environmental care.
