Eastern Carolina Region: Regional Trails Map and Plan

REGIONAL LOOPS The Eastern Carolina Regional Trails Plan includes routes that will connect to destinations such as the Croatan National Forest and Cliffs of the Neuse State Park. The regional routes connect into a loop system that will link Wilmington and natural areas along the Cape Fear and Lumber Rivers.

NATIONAL AND STATE ROUTES Mountains-to-Sea State Trail East Coast Greenway Mountains-to-Sea State Trail - Coastal Crescent The Eastern Carolina 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 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 —are part of the larger vision for connecting people, places, and

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natural resources.

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Moores Creek National Battlefield

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Eastern Carolina Region

Regional Routes

Main Street Communities

Forests

Park/Forest

Area Routes

Cultural Sites

State and National Trail Systems

Municipalities

Local Connector

State Parks

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EASTERN CAROLINA REGION

EASTERN CAROLINA REGION SEGMENTS

IMPLEMENTION PLAN

The Eastern Carolina Regional Trails Plan features several segments

Segment

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

ABOUT THE REGION

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Carteret, Craven, Duplin, Greene, Jones,

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Lenoir, Onslow, Pamlico, and Wayne counties and Main Street Communities Morehead

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City, New Bern, and Goldsboro, among other cities and towns. The region also boasts the

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Croatan National Forest and a variety of

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State Parks, including Fort Macon State Park, 2. Fayetteville to Goldsboro 3. Goldsboro to Kinston

the Neuse State Park.

4. Kinston to New Bern

FOR MORE INFORMATION

6. New Bern to Jacksonville

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construction opportunities.

The Eastern Carolina Region encompasses

Hammocks Beach State Park, and Cliffs of

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9. Morehead City to Jacksonville 10. Jacksonville to Wilmington

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5. New Bern to Morehead City 7. Outerbanks Connector 8. Croatan Connector

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TRAIL TYPES

Strategies Planning; Coordination; Funding; Right of Way

Unique Regional Features East Coast Greenway; Bentonville Battlefield; Mill Creek; Neuse River; Mountains-to-Sea State Trail

Planning; Coordination;

Neuse River; Mountains-to-Sea State

Funding; Right of Way;

Trail; Cliffs of the Neuse State Park

to destinations such as State Parks and protected forests. As plan 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.

Natural Surface Trails

Trail Development Planning; Coordination; Funding; Right of Way

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

Neuse River Paddle Trail; Mountains-

Often located in a wooded environment

to-Sea State Trail; East Coast Greenway

and/or close to bodies of water, and away

Planning; Coordination;

East Coast Greenway; Ferry Boat;

from roadways.

Funding; Right of Way;

Croatan National Forest

Paved Greenway Trails

Trail Development Trent River Paddle Trail; Mill Creek;

12 – 16’ wide, typically constructed of

Croatan National Forest; East Coast

concrete or asphalt.

Greenway

Often located within utility and/or stream

Planning; Coordination;

East Coast Greenway; Outerbanks

Funding; Right of Way;

National Scenic Byway; Mountains-to-

easements, and away from roadways.

Trail Development

Sea State Trail; Cape Lookout

Paved Side Paths

Planning; Coordination;

Croatan National Forest; US Army +

Funding; Trail

Marines Rail Spur

10 – 12’ wide, typically constructed of

Planning; Coordination; Funding; Right of Way

concrete or asphalt.

Development Planning; Coordination; Funding; Right of Way; Trail Development

Often located parallel to roadways.

East Coast Greenway; Mountainsto-Sea State Trail-Coastal Crescent;

Paddle Trail (Blueway)

Croatan National Forest; Jacksonville-

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

Camp Lejeune Rail Trail

estuary, etc.)

Planning; Coordination;

East Coast Greenway; Holly Shelter

Funding; Right of Way;

Game Land; Mountains-to-Sea State

Width of the paddle trail is dependent

Trail Development

Trail-Coastal Crescent

upon waterbody of where it is located.

BENEFITS

BY THE NUMBERS

PLANNING PROCESS

Regional trails provide options for traveling to regional destinations on

The Eastern Carolina Regional Trail Plan encompasses 9 counties

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

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

and provides for a total population of 668,378 people. The regional

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

flood risk.

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

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

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

lands, 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

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Benefit Ranking ( 1 = Highest Priority) 1. Health and Wellness # of total proposed miles of proposed trails in region

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

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

5. Economic Development

health and transportation savings.

6. Create Community Identity

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

7. Increase Tourism

systems in southeastern North Carolina connect people to historic downtowns, nature centers, and local parks, including the Cape Fear

EASTERN CAROLINA

The Eastern Carolina Regional Trails Plan connects urban centers

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

1 mile of proposed trail per 1,263 residents in region

Flooding and Environmental Improvements: The Federal Emergency

REGIONAL TRAILS PLAN

damages are saved when a floodplain is restored, including trail corridors

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

Safety: Trails and greenways separated from roads decrease the risk that

that protect natural buffers and habitats. 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.

Public Input: Eastern Carolina Region

The trail cited the most in the

nearly $3 in medical cost savings may be achieved.

Management Agency (FEMA) estimates that $1.1 billion in annual flood

8. Increase Property Value

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entire study area as a favorite total # of proposed miles of major loops in region

trail was the Neusiok Trail.