When the trail took off over ten years ago, no one could have imagined the holistic benefits across North and South Carolina since then, or the

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "When the trail took off over ten years ago, no one could have imagined the holistic benefits across North and South Carolina since then, or the"

Randolf Fowler
5 years ago
Views:

It is a brilliant system of greenways, blueways and natural surface trails weaving through farm communities,

Cherished by cyclists, hikers, kayakers and all lovers of the great outdoors, the Carolina Thread Trail connects

2 When the trail took off over ten years ago, no one could have imagined the holistic benefits across North and South Carolina since then, or the wholehearted community engagement. It is a brilliant system of greenways, blueways and natural surface trails weaving through farm communities, textile towns, big cities. Cherished by cyclists, hikers, kayakers and all lovers of the great outdoors, the Carolina Thread Trail connects people to a sense of place, to the past and to other people. Even more remarkable is where the trail is headed: original masterplanned miles have more than tripled to 1,590. The path forward has been mapped out. We need your support to get there.

NATURAL SELLING POINTS HEALTH SAVINGS The

with the help of green spaces* INCREASED

trail JOB CREATION Trail construction over 15

period** INCREASED TAX REVENUE Property tax

incremental state and local tax revenue**

more TRAIL USER AND TOURIST SPENDING $42 to

3 NATURAL SELLING POINTS HEALTH SAVINGS The health gap between rich and poor can be halved with the help of green spaces* INCREASED PROPERTY VALUE 4% increase in vicinity of trail JOB CREATION Trail construction over 15 years resulted in 2,700 new jobs during that period** INCREASED TAX REVENUE Property tax revenue of $17 million $3 to $6 million in incremental state and local tax revenue** ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION to work, school and more TRAIL USER AND TOURIST SPENDING $42 to $84 million of increased spending BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT QUALITY OF LIFE * Glasgow University and University of St. Andrews, 2008 ** Econsult Economic Impact Study, 2008

WITH YOUR HELP, THE CAROLINA THREAD TRAIL CAN BE A CORNERSTONE OF OUR REGIONAL IDENTITY LIKE THE VIRGINIA CREEPER, THE PALMETTO TRAIL AND EVEN, OVER TIME, THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL.

Initial private investment has been leveraged into $41 million of public funding, including the North Carolina Clean Water Management Trust Fund and many other state, federal and local sources.

4 WITH YOUR HELP, THE CAROLINA THREAD TRAIL CAN BE A CORNERSTONE OF OUR REGIONAL IDENTITY LIKE THE VIRGINIA CREEPER, THE PALMETTO TRAIL AND EVEN, OVER TIME, THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL. The original, 500-mile plan has rapidly grown to 1,590 planned miles with key links, including the 140-mile North/South Spine from Statesville, North Carolina, to Great Falls, South Carolina. Initial private investment has been leveraged into $41 million of public funding, including the North Carolina Clean Water Management Trust Fund and many other state, federal and local sources. The Thread Trail organization has collaborated one-by-one with 15 counties and 73 municipalities in two states to create master plans reflecting each community s priorities and resources. Next steps: raise an additional $10 million in private funds and extend the trail 1,090 miles. THE NEXT TEN YEARS ARE CRITICAL TO MAKING THIS HAPPEN.

$2005 Foundation for the Carolinas & 40 regional leaders envision a trail network \for community \connectivity 2007 SEPT$ 2009 2013 Thread Trail launched with Catawba Lands Conservancy as lead agency First community grants from Thread Trail

2009 2013 Thread Trail launched with Catawba Lands Conservancy as lead agency First community grants from Thread Trail

Trail Forum is held 2006/2007 2009 Governing Board formed to lead the Carolina Thread Trail Master plans adopted in

plans 2010 Master plans adopted in Mecklenburg, Catawba and Stanly Counties this surpassed 1,000 miles of planned trails

in Iredell, Union and Lancaster Counties 2014 1st cross-state, cross-county connection complete 2014 NOV 2012 100 miles

5 CTT brochure FNL.qxp_Layout 1 3/13/17 8:53 AM Page 7 MAKING A TRAIL, MAKING HISTORY Foundation for the Carolinas & 40 regional leaders envision a trail network \for community \connectivity 2007 SEPT Thread Trail launched with Catawba Lands Conservancy as lead agency First community grants from Thread Trail awarded 48 Trail Masters have been trained to lead volunteer trail construction and maintenance crews DEC st Annual Trail Forum is held 2006/ Governing Board formed to lead the Carolina Thread Trail Master plans adopted in Gaston, York, Cleveland, Lincoln, Chester and Cabarrus Counties 2008 Gaston and York Counties begin developing master plans 2010 Master plans adopted in Mecklenburg, Catawba and Stanly Counties this surpassed 1,000 miles of planned trails SEPT Trail Master program begins Master plans adopted in Anson and Cherokee Counties 2011 Master plans adopted in Iredell, Union and Lancaster Counties st cross-state, cross-county connection complete 2014 NOV miles of Thread Trail officially open to the public Opening of the first Rocky River Blueway launch 2015 Master plan adopted in Rowan County, the final of the 15 Counties

MUCH LIKE OUR LIBRARY SYSTEM DOES WITH LITERACY, THE CAROLINA THREAD TRAIL WELCOMES EVERY SINGLE CITIZEN TO EXPERIENCE AND ENJOY NATURE. THE TRAIL LITERALLY CONNECTS 2.

No less than the social fabric of our communities is at stake. The trail makes our environment healthier, too. Each mile represents a corridor of natural space conserved and preserved.

6 MUCH LIKE OUR LIBRARY SYSTEM DOES WITH LITERACY, THE CAROLINA THREAD TRAIL WELCOMES EVERY SINGLE CITIZEN TO EXPERIENCE AND ENJOY NATURE. THE TRAIL LITERALLY CONNECTS 2.3 MILLION PEOPLE ACROSS OUR REGION. Cut off from nature and each other, we wither. Connected, we thrive. The Thread Trail ties us together. No less than the social fabric of our communities is at stake. The trail makes our environment healthier, too. Each mile represents a corridor of natural space conserved and preserved. There is urgency to keep going and to do so as rapidly as possible. Every tree, pebble and drop of water is more precious by the month as undeveloped green space in our region shrinks. Beyond the environmental stimulus, there s also a financial one. Woven through North and South Carolina, towns with the trail threading through them are experiencing economic energy in the form of increased real estate values and growth of local businesses.

hospital and downtown 2 1 Iredell Sally s YMCA Segment Denver, NC Connecting

President / CEO Carolina Tractor 1 Cleveland 3 Lincoln Misenheimer - RichfieldNew

Stanly 5 4 3 2 Mecklenburg Union Cherokee York The Carolina Thread Trail is much

A connected system of trails is one of the few ways we can ensure that we're

know they want trails for walking and bicycling.

Institute Chester 4 The Carolina Thread Trail is a gift to our region and its

It has the potential to be a very critical factor in shaping our regional identity.

7 CTT brochure FNL.qxp_Layout 1 3/13/17 8:53 AM Page 11 Salisbury Greenway Linking Catawba College, hospital and downtown 2 1 Iredell Sally s YMCA Segment Denver, NC Connecting children to nature Rowan Catawba Ed Weisiger, Jr. President / CEO Carolina Tractor 1 Cleveland 3 Lincoln Misenheimer - RichfieldNew London Segment Connecting Pfeiffer University and three towns Cabarrus Gaston Stanly Mecklenburg Union Cherokee York The Carolina Thread Trail is much more than just a nice community amenity it is an important part of what attracts businesses and people to our region. A vibrant workforce, especially millennials, requires a walkable and bikeable community. If we want to compete nationally, we need the Carolina Thread Trail to reach its full potential of connectivity. Anson The growth we're seeing today will define our region for years to come. A connected system of trails is one of the few ways we can ensure that we're preserving natural green space while at the same time giving people something we know they want trails for walking and bicycling. 6 Mary Newsom, Associate Director Urban & Regional Affairs UNC Charlotte Urban Institute Chester 4 The Carolina Thread Trail is a gift to our region and its people. It has the potential to be a very critical factor in shaping our regional identity. Connecting cities and towns, historical destinations and attractions all while preserving beautiful natural landscapes, the Thread Trail will provide lasting benefits for all, now and for generations to come. Lancaster 6 Kings Mountain Gateway Trail Connecting three parks to downtown Kings Mountain 12 Mile Creek Segment Connecting two states; Waxhaw, NC to Lancaster, SC 5 Cramerton to McAdenville Segment Connecting history along the South Fork River Adopted Trail: 1,590 miles Hugh McColl North-South Spine: 140 miles

8 INCENTIVE TO GROW AIR QUALITY NARROWING THE HEALTH GAP GREATER WELL-BEING WATER QUALITY TREE CANOPY CONSERVATION NON-MOTORIZED TRANSPORTATION OUTDOOR RECREATION

Voters approved City bonds for transportation improvements in November 2016, $25 million of which will be dedicated to the expansion and completion of the Cross-Charlotte Trail Planned miles 128.

9 COUNTY-BY-COUNTY CONNECTIONS Mecklenburg York Catawba Iredell Gaston Cleveland Planned miles 170. Open miles 47. The 29-mile Cross-Charlotte Trail will be the epicenter of the 15-county Thread Trail network. Momentum is growing and local support is strong! Voters approved City bonds for transportation improvements in November 2016, $25 million of which will be dedicated to the expansion and completion of the Cross-Charlotte Trail Planned miles 128. Open miles 29. Connecting Rock Hill through Fort Mill to Cross-Charlotte Trail; Connecting into the existing Catawba Indian Nation segment; Development of rail-trail projects to connect York, Rock Hill and Lake Wylie Planned miles 127. Open miles 25. Extending Lyle Creek corridor, connecting Hickory and Conover to the Catawba River Planned miles 119. Open miles 20. Completing the Statesville Greenway and connections south through Troutman to Mooresville; Statesville to Salisbury bi-county connector Planned miles 114. Open miles 27. Gaston-Mecklenburg connection across Catawba River, linkage to USNWC; South Fork corridor from Cramerton to Lincoln County; Mt. Holly to Belmont connection Planned miles 110. Open miles 18. Developing the 12-mile rail trail from Shelby to South Carolina; Gateway Trail connection to Crowders Mountain and Kings Mountain State Parks; Expanding First Broad River Trail from Shelby to Broad River Greenway Rowan Cabarrus Union Cherokee Lincoln Chester Anson Planned miles 108. Open miles 13. Expanding Salisbury Greenway; Bi-county connection to Statesville; Connecting Salisbury to Kannapolis Planned miles 105. Open miles 13. Linking downtown Kannapolis and Concord; Connecting Mecklenburg County along Rocky River Greenway from Harrisburg to Davidson; Connecting to Cross-Charlotte Trail along Mallard Creek Planned miles 101. Open miles 13. Extending the 12-mile Creek Greenway from Lancaster County through Waxhaw to Indian Trail; Developing trail connection from Mecklenburg County to Monroe Planned miles 95. Open miles 11. National Park connections via the Overmountain Victory Trail (Cowpens Battlefield to Kings Mountain Battlefield) Planned miles 72. Open miles 11. Expanding South Fork Trail corridor to Gaston County connecting Lincolnton to Cramerton; Developing Eastern Lincoln County corridor from Rock Springs Park to NC Educational Forest Planned miles 67. Open miles 7. Pursuing Lowrys to McConnells (York County) rail-trail project; North-South Spine extension on abandoned CSX railroad along Catawba River Completed 55 miles. Rocky River Blueway and corridor Lancaster Planned miles 110. Open miles 9. Providing connection to Cross-Charlotte Trail; Developing the 5-mile Lindsay Pettus Greenway within the City of Lancaster Stanly Planned miles 110. Open miles 8. Connecting Pfeiffer University (Misenheimer) to Albemarle

10 OUR REGION MUST BE GROUNDED IN THE COMMON GOOD: VIBRANT HEALTH, ROCK-SOLID CONNECTIONS, PURPOSEFUL GROWTH. TOGETHER, WE MUST CHAMPION THE THINGS THAT ENRICH AND ENDURE. It s rare when a powerful economic catalyst is also one that improves well-being and reveres nature. This is the beauty of the Carolina Thread Trail, which came to life because of corporate partners who envisioned its value and chose to make a gift to the generations. Now let us take it even further.

1 DAY 15 COUNTIES 250 PARTNERS 1,600 MILES OF TRAIL

1 DAY 15 COUNTIES 250 PARTNERS 1,600 MILES OF TRAIL 11th ANNUAL TRAIL FORUM December 6, 2018 8:30 am - 4 pm Charles Mack Citizen Center, Mooresville, NC EVENT SPONSORSHIP & EXHIBITION Trail Forum is this