The Great Trails State Coalition

Yesterday’s Recovering Forward: Convening Outdoor Communities & Public Land Managers workshop brought together a powerful group of land managers, recreation advocates, and community leaders—all committed to navigating a season of recovery and resilience across Western North Carolina. Hosted by the WNC: MADE X MTNS Partnership, this workshop fostered alignment, transparency, and shared action as we collectively face the lasting impacts of Hurricane Helene—and now, the growing threat of wildfires. Key topics included: – Status updates from the NC Wildlife Resources Commission, US Forest Service, and Carolina Mountain Club – How communities and businesses can help sustain and promote outdoor spaces for the 2025 season – Managing expectations around closed trails, changed landscapes, and the long road to recovery – Opportunities to volunteer, collaborate, and support WNC’s outdoor future With multiple crises reshaping our forests and trail systems, these conversations—and the relationships they build—are more critical than ever. Thank you to everyone who showed up ready to listen, share, and move forward together. Photos include: – Lisa Jennings, USFS Dispersed Recreation Manager [USDA Forest Service] – NC State Parks Superintendents Scott Avis (NW District) and Lance Huss (South Mountain State Park) [NC State Parks] – Jack Henderson, MountainTrue [MountainTrue] Other speakers included: – Paul Curt, Appalachian Trail Supervisor and Crew Leader, [Carolina Mountain Club] – Jacob Rash, NC Wildlife Resources Commission [@ncwildlife] – Alexandra Davison and Jennifer Barnhart, USFS #GreatTrailsNC #GreatTrailsState #RecoveringForward #WNCOutdoors #PublicLands #PostHeleneRecovery #WNCfires #MadeByMountains #OutdoorStewardship #CommunityDrivenConservation

Three Years in the Making: Little White Oak Mountain Trails Are Open! After Hurricane Helene paused construction at the end of Phase 1, it took a full community effort to bring the trails back to life. Volunteers cleared hundreds of downed trees, and thanks to the resilient, sustainable design by TRAIL DYNAMICS LLC, the tread held strong. Now, with temporary signage in place, Little White Oak Mountain is officially in a soft open phase. Please use caution—emergency crews are still active in the area, and additional trail updates are on the way. A huge thank you to everyone involved in the storm recovery, trail restoration, and long-term vision for this space. Your dedication made this possible. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/e8tjT_tV #GreatTrailsNC #LittleWhiteOakMountain #TrailOpening #CommunityResilience #PolkCountyTrails #OutdoorAccess #SustainableTrails

Trail stewardship takes dedication, and the Waynesville Trail Maintenance Crews with the Carolina Mountain Club demonstrated that once again with a special operation this past Thursday! In partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and Appalachian Trail Conservancy, the crew traveled to the Appalachian Trail near Max Patch to take on a unique and historic task—carefully disassembling the Walnut Mountain Shelter, originally built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930s. This shelter, rich in history, will be reassembled in Hot Springs as part of Phase 2 of the project, which kicks off in early June. The goal? To complete the rebuild just in time for National Trails Day on June 7th, when the community will come together for a celebratory work day! In addition to the shelter, the crew disassembled the privy, removed bear lines, relocated signs, and performed essential tread work to keep the trail in top shape. Their dedication ensures that North Carolina’s trails remain accessible, safe, and deeply connected to their history. A huge thank you to everyone who contributed to this effort! Follow Carolina Mountain Club for updates as this historic project moves forward.

The Engineering & Public Works Roadshow Features Trail Projects in North Carolina! The Engineering & Public Works Roadshow?team came to the Great Trails State Conference in September to record stories about significant trail and greenway projects making big impacts in communities of all sizes across the state. In this video, Rodney Money (HDR) and Jeffrey Fansler (City of Winston-Salem DOT) talk about the engineering and design process for the Green Street Pedestrian Bridge, which was recognized as the #2 bridge in all of North America in 2021 among many other awards. The unique and innovative self-supporting bridge was part of the redesign and reconstruction of Salem Parkway through downtown Winston-Salem (formerly Business I-40), providing a pedestrian connection over the highway. The Engineering and Public Works Roadshow is a unique collaboration between the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC), the American Public Works Association (APWA), and the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) to highlight successful infrastructure investment projects and promote the impact of engineering on our daily lives. Watch the full video at https://lnkd.in/eiExysxX

Next Saturday, March 15th! To discover more trail events, or to submit your own visit https://lnkd.in/eMPe-Te2

After months of dedicated recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene, a portion of the Morganton Greenway officially reopens March 4th! This marks an exciting step forward in restoring outdoor spaces for the Morganton community. Reopening March 4th: Freedom Park basketball courts to the Freedom Pedestrian Bridge (crossing the Catawba River) Dog park near the Soccer Complex Parking lot at Greenlee Ford Road section Ongoing Repairs & Closures: While we celebrate this progress, work continues to fully restore the greenway. Sections including Silver Creek Bridge, Drexel Heritage Park, Catawba Meadows Park, Shuey Field, and the Soccer Complex remain closed as repairs continue. This reopening is a testament to the resilience and hard work of those committed to rebuilding our trails. Let’s continue to support these efforts and respect closures to ensure a safe and full recovery. ?? More details + maps available via the City of Morganton Parks and Recreation Department (828-438-5350). Read the article at https://lnkd.in/esHW_XJZ

The Engineering & Public Works Roadshow Features Trail Projects in North Carolina! The Engineering & Public Works Roadshow?team came to the Great Trails State Conference in September to record stories about significant trail and greenway projects making big impacts in communities of all sizes across the state. In this video, Rodney Money (HDR) and Jeffrey Fansler (City of Winston-Salem DOT) talk about the engineering and design process for the Green Street Pedestrian Bridge, which was recognized as the #2 bridge in all of North America in 2021 among many other awards. The unique and innovative self-supporting bridge was part of the redesign and reconstruction of Salem Parkway through downtown Winston-Salem (formerly Business I-40), providing a pedestrian connection over the highway. The Engineering and Public Works Roadshow is a unique collaboration between the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC), the American Public Works Association (APWA), and the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) to highlight successful infrastructure investment projects and promote the impact of engineering on our daily lives. Watch the full video at https://lnkd.in/eiExysxX

A piece of NASCAR history is now permanently protected! The Historic Occoneechee Speedway—the last surviving dirt track from NASCAR's inaugural 1949 season—has officially been added to Eno River State Park, thanks to a partnership between the NC State Parks, the Eno River Association, and the Richard Hampton Jenrette Foundation. This 200+ acre expansion secures not just a historic speedway but also a vital piece of North Carolina’s natural and cultural heritage. The land connects the Mountains-to-Sea State Trail, preserves crucial wildlife corridors, and protects threatened species in the Eno River watershed. It’s a win for conservation, outdoor recreation, and history lovers alike. Looking forward to the ribbon-cutting this spring! Read more at https://lnkd.in/e7_qUAvy

How does Greensboro's rescue marker program help make the city's trails safer? Watch the latest presentation from Cities, Towns, and Counties for Trails to find out! Elizabeth Jernigan from Greensboro Parks & Recreation and Andy Jones from the Greensboro Fire Department share Greensboro’s innovative trail rescue program. The program includes a trail marker system and mapping interface that determines the most efficient access routes in case of trail emergencies. The program has significantly reduced contact times. This presentation is part of the ongoing Cities, Towns, and Counties for Trails presentation series. To learn more or sign up for future presentations, visit https://lnkd.in/eVrG6hJx

Thank you to North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources for continued partnership with The Great Trails State Coalition. We were delighted that Pamela Brewington Cashwell made time in her schedule today to hear the Great Trails State story and discuss future collaborations. #greattrailsnc