Cape Fear Region: Regional Trails Map and Plan

REGIONAL LOOPS The Cape Fear Regional Trails Plan includes routes that will connect to destinations such as Lake Waccamaw State Park and Carolina Beach State Park. The regional routes connect into a loop system that will link the Fayetteville and Wilmington areas.

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Holly Ridge Holly Ridge Holly Ridge North Topsail Beach Holly Ridge

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NATIONAL AND STATE ROUTES Mountains-to-Sea State Trail East Coast Greenway Mountains-to-Sea State Trail - Coastal Crescent The Cape Fear Regional Trails Plan is part of the larger Southeastern North Carolina Regional Trails Plan. The four Councils of Government in the region each developed a trails

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plan. Trail systems of statewide or regional significance—such

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as the Mountains-to-Sea State Trail or the East Coast Greenway

CAPE FEAR REGION

—are part of the larger vision for connecting people, places, and natural resources.

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Cape Fear Region

Regional Routes

Main Street Communities

Forests

Park/Forest

Area Routes

Cultural Sites

State and National Trail Systems

Municipalities

Local Connector

State Parks

BACK COVER

CAPE FEAR REGION SEGMENTS The Cape Fear Regional Trails Plan features several segments that also

IMPLEMENTION PLAN Segment

connect within the larger trails plan for Southeastern North Carolina.

The segments are shown on the map below, and implementation partners per segment are listed in the table to the right. After

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adopting the regional plan, partners will study segments to determine more specific alignments, right-of-way needs, and construction opportunities.

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Strategies

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Unique Regional Features

The Cape Fear Regional Trails Plan connects urban centers to destinations such as State Parks and protected forests. As plan

Planning; Coordination;

East Coast Greenway; Holly

Funding; Right of Way;

Shelter Game Lands; MST-

Trail Development

Coastal Crescent

Planning; Coordination;

Holly Shelter Game Lands;

Funding; Right of Way;

Mountains-to-Sea State Trail-

Natural Surface Trails

Trail Development

Coastal Crescent

2 ½ - 3’ wide, typically constructed of dirt.

East Coast Greenway; Carolina

Often located in a wooded environment

Beach State Park; Ferry Boat;

and/or close to bodies of water, and away

Gullah Geechee Heritage

from roadways.

Planning; Coordination;

ABOUT THE REGION

TRAIL TYPES

Funding; Right of Way;

corridors are developed, trails will take on different forms. Some trails will paved and others on natural surface - all are intended to be separated from the roadway.

The Cape Fear Region encompasses

Trail Development

Columbus, Brunswick, and Pender

Planning; Coordination;

NC Rail line; Northeast Cape

Funding; Right of Way;

Fear River; Cliffs of the Neuse

Trail Development

State Park

concrete or asphalt.

Planning; Coordination;

East Coast Greenway; Carolina

Often located within utility and/or stream

Funding; Right of Way;

Bay Lakes; State Parks

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counties; the City of Wilmington; and several small cities and towns. The

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Corridor

Paved Greenway Trails 12 – 16’ wide, typically constructed of

easements, and away from roadways.

Trail Development

region also boasts a variety of State

Paved Side Paths 10 – 12’ wide, typically constructed of

Parks, including Lake Waccamaw State Park, Carolina Beach State Park, and Masonboro Island State Recreation Park.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

concrete or asphalt.

Often located parallel to roadways.

10. Jacksonville to Wilmington 11. Holly Shelter Connector

Paddle Trail (Blueway)

12. Wilmington to Southport

Located on waterbody (e.g. river, creek,

13. Wilmington to Cliffs of the Neuse State Park (Rail Trail)

estuary, etc.)

14. Wilmington to Bushy Lake

Width of the paddle trail is dependent

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upon waterbody of where it is located.

BENEFITS

BY THE NUMBERS

PLANNING PROCESS

Regional trails provide options for traveling to regional destinations on

The Cape Fear Regional Trail Plan encompasses 4 counties and

In a public survey, respondents across the study area were asked

foot or by bicycle, increase tourism, improve public health, and mitigate

provides for a total population of 495,631 people. The regional trail

which benefits of trails they most wanted to see from a regional

flood risk.

system connects to dozens of towns, parks, historic sites, game lands,

trail system. The results show a strong interest in using trails

Trail Tourism: A study in the Hampton Roads region of Virginia noted

and forest lands.

improve health and wellness and quality of life.

that, in addition to Virginia residents visiting local trails, 1/3 of trail visitors were from out-of-state. People making these extended trips to the region often include overnight hotel stays and spending on food and services.

Economic Impact: The North Carolina Department of Transportation studied trail systems in different regions of the state; finding that for every $1.00 spent on trail construction, $1.72 is generated annually from

# of total miles of proposed trails in region

2. Environmental Protection 3. Improve Quality of Life 4. Access to Destinations 5. Economic Development

health and transportation savings.

6. Increase Property Value

Access to Recreation, Nature, and History: Several established trail

7. Create Community Identity

downtowns, nature centers, and local parks, including the Cape Fear River Trail in Fayetteville; the Kinston Riverwalk; and the Gary Shell Cross City Trail in Wilmington.

Health Outcomes: Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC and the American Heart

Created for the Cape Fear Council of Governments in partnership with North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation

1. Health and Wellness

local business revenue, sales tax revenue, and other benefits related

systems in southeastern North Carolina connect people to historic

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Benefit Ranking ( 1 = Highest Priority)

Association cite research that says that for $1 invested in building trails,

1 mile of proposed trail per 2136 residents in region

nearly $3 in medical cost savings may be achieved.

damages are saved when a floodplain is restored, including trail corridors that protect natural buffers and habitats.

Safety: Trails and greenways separated from roads decrease the risk that pedestrians or cyclists will be injured or killed on roads when involved in crashes with vehicles. Proven countermeasures can be implemented at a relatively low-cost to improve safety at trail crossings.

Survey Highlight: Cape Fear Region

“[My favorite trail is] from Surf City Park across the

Flooding and Environmental Improvements: The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) estimates that $1.1 billion in annual flood

8. Increase Tourism

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marsh bridge to the new bridge total # of proposed miles of major loops in region

and back. Exactly 1 mile.

Great views.”