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
Here
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.”