REPORT TO COMMUNITIES
2014 Pharr Family Preserve Trail in Midland, N.C. Photo by Nancy Pierce
FROM THE CHAIR In Lancaster, S.C., a coalition of citizens is raising awareness–and funds–to design and build the county’s first paved greenway. A committee of trail advocates hosted their first fundraiser for trails in Lincoln County, N.C., in conjunction with Earth Day. Two hours away in Stanly County, N.C., a trail connecting the towns of Misenheimer, Richfield and New London is taking shape. Across the southern Piedmont, communities are taking the reins and advancing the Carolina Thread Trail, just as the founders envisioned more than seven years ago. And the Thread Trail is continuing its role as a regional facilitator and technical resource. All of the 88 communities in the Thread Trail network have adopted their master plans and are eligible for grant funding to help with land acquisition, trail planning and construction. To date, we’ve given out $3.6 million in grants to get projects off the ground with more than 220 miles of designated trails, greenways, sidewalks and blueways now open across both Carolinas. In 2014, 17 new miles of trail opened! These trails are improving personal health, supporting community wellness, connecting people to nature, creating wildlife corridors and driving the economy. In 2015 and beyond, we will continue to support communities wanting to place trails on the ground while raising awareness about the Thread Trail and its many benefits. We are also committed to completing the
“North-South Spine,” a proposed 130-mile trail stretching from Iredell County, N.C., to Chester County, S.C. A long-distance regional trail, connecting charming small towns to bustling cities and quiet nature preserves to exciting attractions, will provide regional biking and walking while promoting tourism. Thank you to our members, donors, volunteers and partners for your support!
You’re helping to build a regional legacy that will benefit everyone in this region forever. I hope to see you out on the Thread Trail soon. Happy Trails,
Philip Blumenthal Chair, Carolina Thread Trail Governing Board
“Across the southern Piedmont, communities are taking the reins and advancing the Carolina Thread Trail, just as the founders envisioned more than seven years ago.”
Toby Creek Greenway in Charlotte, N.C. Photo by Nancy Pierce