Mid-Carolina Region: Regional Trails Map and Plan

REGIONAL LOOPS

NATIONAL AND STATE ROUTES

The Mid-Carolina Regional Trails Plan includes routes that will

Mountains-to-Sea State Trail

connect to destinations such as Averasboro Battlefield and Raven

East Coast Greenway

Rock State Park. The regional routes connect into a loop system

Mountains-to-Sea State Trail- Coastal Crescent

that will link Fayetteville, Bentonville Battlefield, Bushy Lake State

The Mid-Carolina Regional Trails Plan is part of the larger

Natural Area, and Cliffs of the Neuse State Park.

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 as the Mountains-to-Sea State Trail or the East Coast Greenway —are part of the larger vision for connecting people, places, and natural resources.

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MID-CAROLINA REGION

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Mid-Carolina Region

Regional Routes

Main Street Communities

Forests

Park/Forest

Area Routes

Cultural Sites

State and National Trail Systems

Municipalities

Local Connector

State Parks

MID-CAROLINA REGION SEGMENTS The Mid-Carolina Regional Trails Plan features several segments that also connect within the larger trails plan for Southeastern North Carolina. The segments are shown on the map below, and

IMPLEMENTION PLAN Segment

1

implementation partners per segment are listed in the table to the

construction opportunities.

Strategies

Unique Regional Features

Planning; Coordination;

Cape Fear River Paddle Trail;

Funding

Raven Rock State Park

East Coast Greenway;

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

TRAIL TYPES

2

Planning; Coordination;

Bentonville Battlefield; Mill

Funding; Right of Way

Creek; Neuse River; Mountains-

The Mid-Carolina Regional Trails Plan connects urban centers 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 2 ½ - 3’ wide, typically constructed of dirt.

to-Sea State Trail

15

Planning; Coordination;

East Coast Greenway; Cape Fear

Funding; Right of Way;

River Trail

Often located in a wooded environment and/or close to bodies of water, and away from roadways.

Trail Development

ABOUT THE REGION

The Mid-Carolina Region encompasses

16

Cumberland, Harnett, and Sampson counties; 17

the City of Fayetteville; and several small cities and towns. The region also boasts a variety of

Planning; Coordination;

Mountains-to-Sea State Trail-

Funding; Right of Way;

Coastal Crescent; Goshen

Trail Development

Swamp

Planning; Coordination;

Mountains-to-Sea State Trail-

Funding; Right of Way;

Coastal Crescent; Bettonville

Trail Development

Battlefield

Paved Greenway Trails 12 – 16’ wide, typically constructed of concrete or asphalt.

Often located within utility and/or stream easements, and away from roadways.

Paved Side Paths

State Parks, including Raven Rock State Park and Carvers Creek State Park.

10 – 12’ wide, typically constructed of concrete or asphalt.

Often located parallel to roadways.

1. Raven Rock Connector 2. Fayetteville to Goldsboro

Paddle Trail (Blueway)

15. Bushy Lake to Fayetteville

FOR MORE INFORMATION

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

16. Clinton Connector

estuary, etc.)

17. Roseboro to Bentonville Battlefield

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 Mid-Carolina Regional Trail Plan encompasses 3 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 531,289 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 proposed miles of proposed trails in region

2. Access to Destinations 3. Improve Quality of Life 4. Environmental Protection 5. Create Community Identity

health and transportation savings.

6. Economic Development

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

7. Increase Tourism

downtowns, nature centers, and local parks, including the Cape Fear

Created for the Mid-Carolina 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

MIDCAROLINA REGIONAL TRAILS PLAN

221

Benefit Ranking ( 1 = Highest Priority)

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 2,404 residents in region

nearly $3 in medical cost savings may be achieved.

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

610

total # of proposed miles of major loops in region

8. Increase Property Value

Public Input

“The All-American Trail is one of my local favorites for the planked portion through wetlands.

It is beautiful and serene.

Weymouth Woods and Raven Rock are a little farther but just as awesome, and longer.”