Benefits of the Benefits of the trail (cont.) The Deep River Rail-Trail

A safe place for outdoor physical An educational resource. The rail-trail will activity. Many towns are short on provide a natural educational resource for sidewalks and offer few safe places to get elementary school students to learn about out and walk. Rail- provide a great the environment. opportunity to be active without the risk of motorized traffic. Phase 1 of the Deep Rail-trail issues River Rail-Trail, at 1.34 miles in length, will provide an excellent resource for Successful rail-trails depend on pedestrian activity. It may also encourage addressing concerns from adjacent local residents to participate in the county landowners and the public. These concerns health department’s “Weekday Walking may include trail acquisition, adjacent Program”. landowner property and privacy rights, A riverside trail through a trail security, trail liability, and hunting on A place to enjoy nature. Trails and small community…running the trail. Sensitivity to landowner and local greenways often provide wildlife habitat. concerns is critical to the development of along the beautiful Deep River. The Deep River Rail-Trail’s location successful trails. along the river will also encourage A chance for people to get protection of this exceptional natural resource. out of their cars and experience the outdoors: trees, shade, A place for recreation. The first phase of birdsongs and the river. the Deep River Rail-Trail will pass through Riverside Park on the Deep River A haven for walkers, in Franklinville – a great spot for cyclists, runners, birdwatchers picnicking and for canoeists to put in. There is also river access on the trail for and more, away from the noise fishing the Deep River. and the risk of vehicle traffic.

An aid to economic development. An important link in a Companies increasingly seek, and counties developing multi-county state and towns try to provide, living trail system. environments that provide amenities contributing to quality of life. Trails and greenways are one of the most sought- Photographs taken along the Deep River Rail-Trail A boon to the daily quality after amenities. Longer trails become by Perry Conner, September 2007 of life in Randolph County. popular regional draws. The Vision The Route How You Can Support the The Deep River Rail-Trail now being The rail-trail uses the former right-of-way of the abandoned rail corridor once used by the Trail and the Vision planned will be a jewel in the necklace that historic Atlantic & Yadkin railroad. is ’s newest state trail, the Phase 1 of the rail-trail, 1.34 miles in length, runs along the Deep River in Franklinville Successfully built rail-trails in North Deep River State Trail authorized by the from Riverside Park to Sandy Creek. Carolina have received state and county legislature in the summer of 2007. Phases 2 and 3 will extend the trail across Sandy Creek to the old NC Wildlife landing on support. However, they would not have The rail-trail will provide, to walkers, Highway 64, then to the old railroad turntable in Ramseur, the end of the line for the old come into being without significant runners, cyclists and other non-motorized A&Y. support from people in their local users, a popular amenity that makes a Phase 4 goes west to Cedar Falls, lengthening the trail to approximately 4 miles. communities who helped in many considerable contribution to quality of life. Phase 5 extends the trail north to Providence Grove High School. The final phase will have ways, from trail construction and Trails and greenways elsewhere in the the rail-trail running north to Climax in Guilford County, for a total trail distance of 15 miles. weekend maintenance, to making phone state, such as the calls and attending meetings, to in Durham and the Dunn-Erwin rail-trail in donations of money, land easements, Harnett County, are treasured where they and other goods and services. exist. Typically, people become The Deep River Rail-Trail is no enthusiasts once they get out and to Climax l' exception. The state of North Carolina experience the trails for themselves. has already committed itself to a significant donation of funds for the State support for the trail trail. However, the project will also require help from people who can see The state Division of Parks and its remarkable potential. It is not far Recreation is working on a comprehensive from being a wonderful, easily plan for the Deep River State Trail and accessible contribution to the area’s encourages the involvement of local quality of life. Our goal is to have phase community members and governments in 1 of the Deep River Rail-Trail open to creating a state trail, both land-and water- all by the next National Trails Day, based, along the Deep River. The Deep Saturday June 7th, 2008. River Rail-Trail will be one of the first land-based portions of the state trail and its To make the Deep River Rail-Trail a development is welcomed by the state and reality, please consider lending your the county. support. For more information, contact:

Perry Conner, (336) 549-4908 Harvey Harman, (919) 799-6819 AL Capehart, (919) 542-0022 Dilys Bowman, (919) 968-1583 e-mail: [email protected]