From NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
Press release
RALEIGH, N.C. — State officials today announced the award of $6 million in grants through the federal Recreational Trails Program to 38 local governments in 35 North Carolina counties for trails projects.
The matching grants, recommended by the North Carolina Trails Committee, will help fund healthful recreation opportunities for hikers, cyclists, paddlers, equestrians and off-highway vehicle (OHV) users throughout the state and will promote natural resource tourism.
“North Carolina is known for its excellent trails throughout the state for a variety of trail enthusiasts,” said Susan Kluttz, secretary of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. “I am thrilled to continue to see this program grow and thrive.”
The Recreational Trails Program is administered by the Division of Parks and Recreation of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, with Federal Highways Administration funding routed through the N.C. Division of Transportation. Since 1999, North Carolina has been awarded more than $28 million for sustainable trail projects. These grants, combined with in-kind services and matching funds, have resulted in more than $58 million applied to local trail and greenway projects.
Due to changes in the federal funding cycle, grant awards for two fiscal years were concurrent. For fiscal year 2015 funding, the program received 38 grant requests totaling $3.1 million, and the North Carolina Trails Committee recommended awards for 20 projects totaling $1.6 million. For fiscal year 2016 funding, the program received 61 grant requests totaling $4.9 million, and the trails committee recommended awards for 18 projects totaling $1.5 million.
The local government, agencies and trails groups receiving grants in the most recent cycle are:
Blue Ridge Conservancy, Glen Burney Trail, $6,000
City of Fayetteville, Blount’s Creek Trail, $75,000
City of Goldsboro, Stoney Creek Greenway, $92,400
City of Rocky Mount, Tar River Greenway, $100,000
Crowders Mountain State Park, Lake ADA Trail, $100,000
Raven Rock State Park, Mountain Bike Loops, Phase 2, $100,000
South Mountains State Park, Visitor Center Connector, $100,000
Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, Neusiok Trail Relocation $15,708
Guilford County, Company Mill Preserve, $100,000
Surry County, Mountains-to-Sea Trail, Phase 1, $100,000
Town of Carrboro, Morgan Creek Greenway, Phase 2, $100,000
Town of Cramerton, South Fork Corridor Trailhead, $100,000
USDA Forest Service/Uwharrie, Wood Run Mountain Bike Trail, $21,470
USDA Forest Service/Croatan, Flanners Bike Trail, $68,000
USDA Forest Servcie/Pisgah, Ivestor Gap/Graveyard Ridge, $100,000
USDA Forest Service/Cheoah, Fontana Bike Trail, $100,000
USDA Forest Service/Nantahala, Backwell Gap Horse Trail, $50,000
SORBA/Pisgah, Big Laurel Connector, $55,440
Town of Ahoskie, Mitchell Park Nature Trail, $100,000
Carvers Creek State Park, Sandhills Multiuse Trail, $100,000
Alamance County, Haw River Trail Saxapahaw Section, $84,000
Brushy Mountain Cyclist Club, Warrior Creek Project, $61,443
Burke County, Fonta Flora Loop Connector, $70,000
Grandfather Mountain State Park, Profile Trail Improvements, $100,000
NC Division of Parks and Recreation, High Efficiency Trail Assessment, $23,370
NC High Peaks Trails Assoc., Mount Mitchell Trail Rehabilitation, $60,000
Town of Mooresville, Mazeppa Mountain Bike Park, $99,250
Umstead Coalition, Cedar Ridge Multiuse Trail, $100,000
USDA Forest Service/Appalachian, South Toe Trailhead, $100,000
USDA Forest Service/Uwharrie, Access Roads and Trailhead Maintenance, $100,000
USDA Forest Service/Uwharrie, Badin Lake Motorized Trail Maintenance, $100,000
USDA Forest Service/Uwharrie, Lakeview Trail Reroute, $100,000
USDA Forest Service/Uwharrie, Uwharrie National Recreation Trail, $47,500
USDA Forest Service/Wayehutta, Wayehutta OHV Trail Maintenance, $100,000
City of Randleman, Deep River Greenway, $100,000
Davidson County Tourism-Recreation Partnership, Daniel Boone Heritage Canoe Access, $48,750
Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Overnight Site Hazard Mitigation, $90,000About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (NCDNCR) is the state agency with a vision to be the leader in using the state’s natural and cultural resources to build the social, cultural, educational and economic future of North Carolina. Led by Secretary Susan Kluttz, NCDNCR’s mission is to improve the quality of life in our state by creating opportunities to experience excellence in the arts, history, libraries and nature in North Carolina by stimulating learning, inspiring creativity, preserving the state’s history, conserving the state’s natural heritage, encouraging recreation and cultural tourism, and promoting economic development.NCDNCR includes 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, two science museums, three aquariums and Jennette’s Pier, 39 state parks and recreation areas, the N.C. Zoo, the nation’s first state-supported Symphony Orchestra, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, State Preservation Office and the Office of State Archaeology, along with the Division of Land and Water Stewardship. For more information, please call (919) 807-7300 or visit www.ncdcr.gov.
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