Mapping the North Country Trail Moderators, Vendors, Etc

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Mapping the North Country Trail Moderators, Vendors, Etc IMAGIN IMAGINews S P E C I A L P O I N T S O F INTEREST: SUMMER 2015 · Thanks to all attendees, speakers, Mapping the North Country Trail moderators, vendors, etc. for Crown Point State Historic promoting the NCT. With Site on Lake Champlain, 28 chapters and 11 affiliated making the 2015 through the remainder of partners, the NCTA IMAGIN New York, on to represents thousands of Conference a Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, volunteers, committed to success. Wisconsin, Minnesota, and carrying out Congress’s vision finally terminates along the for the NCT. In 2014, · Put next year’s The North Country National canal lands of the Garrison NCTA volunteers conference on Scenic Trail (NCT) provides a Diversion project at Lake contributed 76,000 hours your schedule. nationally significant Sakakawea State Park in building and maintaining the May 15-17, 2016, recreation experience as it North Dakota. The 7-state NCT. traverses the unique natural, expanse of the NCT passes we will return to historic, cultural, and through 10 National Forests, The NCT has had a GIS the Great Wolf ecological landscapes of and more than 150 other program, in one form or Lodge in America’s north country. public land units. another, since the late 1990’s. Traverse City, Authorized by Congress in First starting with combined MI. 1980, as an amendment to The North Country Trail is efforts between the NPS and the 1968 National Trails managed by the National Park University of Wisconsin- System Act, the NCT Service (NPS) in concert with Madison, and then stretches 4,600 miles through its partner, the North transitioning into an NCTA seven states, making it the Country Trail Association staff position funded in longest national scenic trail in (NCTA), both headquartered various ways by the NPS. the National Trails System. in Lowell, MI. The NCTA is made up of a coalition 2014 saw a number of new The NCT works its way of volunteers united in mapping and GIS related INSIDE THIS west, from New York’s building, maintaining, and ISSUE: The North Country Trail Feature 1-3, Article 7 Conference 4 Recap Conference 5 In Pictures Upcoming 6 Events Vendor Info 7 P A G E 2 Mapping the North Country Trail of information behind these Peninsula. Even with the trail segments and point need for a data connection, data. Just click on a section he reported great success of trail and a table will pop with the app and said it saved up showing relevant him from getting lost information about that numerous times! segment. This information includes ownership, Tech Series Maps camping regulations, Excerpt from A Walk in the allowed uses, certification Woods by Bill Bryson. status, and NCTA chapter contact info, among other “Appalachian Trail [AT] maps ArcGIS Online products launched by the things. are so monumentally useless NCTA. These include new that I had long since given up digital/paper maps, an AGOL is a new tool and is using them. They vary interactive web mapping rapidly developing; somewhat, but most are on system and options for taking currently there are many an abysmal scale of 1:100,000, information along on the great features including which ludicrously compresses trail. Although much of location search and every mile of real world into hiking is about “unplugged” measurement tools. More a mere inch of map. Imagine a time in the woods, these functionality is coming in square mile of physical navigation tools are very non the future. landscape and all that it might -intrusive, useful, and contain – logging roads, efficient. To visit the NCTA’s public streams, a mountain top or web interface for the main two, perhaps a fire tower, a ArcGIS Online NCT map, go to: knob or grassy bald, the In early 2014 NCTA began northcountrytrail.org/trail/ wandering AT, and maybe a developing some simple web maps. You can also pair of the important side maps using a newly access this map (with trails – and imaging trying to purchased subscription to somewhat limited convey all that information on ArcGIS Online (AGOL). functionality) via the free an area the size of the nail on AGOL is similar to Google Explorer for ArcGIS your little finger. That’s an To visit the NCTA’s Maps or Google Earth, in App. This is available for AT map.” that it provides a streaming both iOS and Android. public web interface online map service. Unlike http://doc.arcgis.com/en/ Google Maps, AGOL is explorer/(.) Once ArcGIS App for the main NCT perfectly compatible with the the app is installed GIS data maintained at the and opened on a map, go to: NCTA. This compatibility phone, search for allows for an “out of the “nct” in the app; northcountrytrail. box” ability to handle large the map is titled org/trail/maps and robust GIS data sets. “North Country This data is then overlaid on Trail (Public).” any one of a variety of base maps. These include street In late summer maps, topographical maps 2014, long distance and satellite imagery. Not hiker, Tom only does this allow for Ackerman used appealing and dynamic AGOL on his (zoom/pan) maps, but also iPhone for much of enables the general public to his section hike of access the detailed database Michigan’s Lower IMAGINEWS SUMMER 2015 P A G E 3 Mapping the North Country Trail needed. NCTA chapter. This should prove to be a very useful resource for The first edition of these new technical chapters’ trail management efforts, as series maps have been released for well as reinforcing to hikers that the three NCTA chapters in north central chapters really are the local experts Minnesota. Through countless hours of along the trail. For retail purposes, research and development—reviewing these maps will likely be combined other trail organizations’ maps, into regional sets in many places. For requesting input from our local land example, the Central Minnesota map navigation experts from Fortune Bay set covers the Star of the North, Expedition Team, and some field testing Itasca Moraine and Laurentian Lakes that included one very memorable bear Chapters. encounter — this research showed that a 1:40,000 scale map with 10-foot The last and probably most exciting contour intervals (50-foot in hilly feature of these new maps is the Tech Series Map regions) is the perfect balance of system used to communicate mileage. topographic detail, while still maximizing For the last few years an exciting Author’s note: I remember coming to the most miles of trail on a single sheet project has been developing on the this section in Bryson’s book and of paper. Pacific Crest Trail, known as the literally turning red in the face: NCTA’s “Halfmile Project”. This ingenious maps are at a 1:100,000 scale! That The driving factor behind the page size system developed by a couple of moment started the on and off again of these maps (8.5” x 11”) was the goal Pacific Crest Trail Association development of what became NCTA’s of offering a download and print at volunteers solves two common “Technical Series Maps,” a term home option. So from now on when problems in long-distance trail borrowed from legendary backpacker hikers call the NCTA office on Thursday mapping. The first problem is that a Andrew Skurka, for the more detailed or Friday, asking how they might acquire trail line file (track) of any substantial sets of maps he puts together for his maps for their weekend hike , we will be length and detail will not fit into a hikes. able to direct them to the download regular consumer grade GPS unit; this option on our website. This function is data often exceeds the manufacturer’s There is value in 1:100,000 scale maps currently being put in place by a third- size limitations. The half-mile strategy for hiking; after all, hikers have walked party contractor and should be available for working around this was to thousands of miles with them by early spring 2015. reduce the trail line to a series of successfully! In fact, when looking at generic waypoints at half-mile very early prototypes of these new, The NCTA’s Technical Series maps are intervals along the route of the trail. more detailed maps, Andrew Skurka fairly typical topographical trail maps, By sequentially numbering these himself said 1:100,000 scale is all that showing features such as public lands, continued on page 7 was needed for a trail like the NCT water, elevation, roads, and points of Half-mile waypoints because the NCT is a well marked, well interest. Behind the scenes, the biggest maintained, and mostly a well used trail. advantage of these maps is the base Users are navigating from point to point data, which is completely customized by following blazes, not trying to NCTA. Although derived mostly from bushwhack and read the landscape. state and federal sources, this data has Beyond that, it’s worth noting that been altered to meet NCTA’s needs current NCTA 1:100,000 scale maps allowing corrections and updates for all generally give trail users a bigger picture those things that are so often in error of the landscape surrounding the NCT, on state and federal map products - including roads and towns. This is rural road names, water features that helpful for getting to the trail and really don’t exist, etc. This custom base map important if a hiker needs to locate a will then be available to use in all future good bailout point for any reason.
Recommended publications
  • PPFF Spring2020 Nwsltr.Qxd
    Penn’s Stewards News from the Pennsylvania Parks & Forests Foundation Spring 2020 CLIMATE CHANGE Managing Pennsylvania’s Greatest Environmental Crisis rt e ilb By Greg Czarnecki, G y Tuscarora se Ka it: Director, Applied Climate Science, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources red State Park o C Phot INTHIS ISSUE In the 50 years since the first Earth Day we have made tremendous PG: 1 Climate Change progress protecting our air, water, and natural resources. But in spite PG: 2 President’s Message A Call for Advocates of that progress we now face our greatest environmental crisis— PG: 3-4 Climate Change continued climate change. PG: 4 Happy 50th Birthday Earth Day Nearly every day we hear stories about the effects of climate change, such as PG: 5 The Value of Trees melting glaciers in Greenland, horrific wildfires in Australia and California, and super- PG: 6 Let There Be Trees on Earth charged hurricanes. While many of these events are far away, we are also seeing climate PG: 7 Wilderness Wheels change impacts here in Pennsylvania. continued on page 3 Skill Builder PG: 8 We Will Miss Flooding at the Presque Isle Marina due to heavy lake levels. New Faces at PPFF PG: 9 Calendar of Events #PAFacesofRec Bring on Spring PG: 10 PPFF Friends Groups Your Friends in Action PG: 11 More Friends in Action Making an Impact on Legislation PG: 12-13 YOU Made it Happen PG: 14-15 2019 Photo Contest Results PG: 16 Fun Fact! ExtraGive Thank You PPFF Membership Form CONTACT US: Pennsylvania Parks & Forests Foundation 704 Lisburn Road, Suite 102, Camp Hill, PA 17011 (717) 236-7644 www.PaParksAndForests.org Photo Credit: DCNR President’s Message Marci Mowery Happy New Year! By the time this newsletter “...join us in activities lands in your hands, we will be several months r into the new year.
    [Show full text]
  • BACKPACKING Explore the Great Allegheny Passage with Us! We Will Pedal a Total of 30 Miles out and Back Along the GAP
    April – June 2017 Schedule VENTURE OUTDOORS TRAILHEAD Everyone Belongs Outdoors! Board of Directors Did You Know… Alice Johnston, Board Chair Venture Outdoors is a 501(c)3 charitable nonprofit organization. We believe everyone Amanda Beamon, Vice Chair deserves the chance to experience how incredibly fun the outdoors can be, so we provide Darlene Schiller, Co-Secretary the gear, guidance and inspiration to make outdoor recreation part of people’s lives. Robert J. Standish, Co-Secretary Drew Lessard, Treasurer We believe everyone belongs outdoors! Todd Owens, Past Chair Abby Corbin Dennis Henderson David Hunt Support Venture Outdoors and Save with a Yearly Membership Lindsay Patross Go to ventureoutdoors.org/join-us or call 412.255.0564 x.224 to become a New or Marty Silverman Geoff Tolley Renewing Venture Outdoors Member. W. Jesse Ward Your Support Helps Venture Outdoors: David Wolf Membership Levels Student / Senior – $15 • Fund the outings and events that Staff Individual – $25 get you and your family outdoors year-round Joey–Linn Ulrich, Executive Director Dual – $35 Family – $50 • Enable underserved children to PROGRAM DEPARTMENT Trailblazer – $75 learn more about nature and the Lora Woodward, Director environment while developing Paddler – $100 Liz Fager, Community Program Manager outdoor recreation skills Jim Smith, Equipment and Facilities Manager Ranger – $125 Lora Hutelmyer, Youth Program Manager Steward – $250 • Turn volunteers into accomplished Jake Very, Custom Program Coordinator trip leaders while enhancing their Trustee – $500 Billy Dixon, Program Administrator leadership skills and safety training Ken Sikora, Head Trip Leader Specialist Pathfinder – $1,000 KAYAK PITTSBURGH Benefits to You Include: Vanessa Bashur, Director • Discounts on outings, Kayak Pittsburgh Mike Adams, Equipment and Training rentals and season passes Specialist • Shopping savings at Eddie Bauer DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNICATIONS and Gander Mountain Donna L.
    [Show full text]
  • Annual Report 2019
    2019 ANNUAL REPORT Welcome to The North Country Trail Association WELCOME TO THE North Country Trail Association The North Country National Scenic Trail (NCNST) is the longest hiking path in America’s National Trails System stretching more than 4,600 miles across eight states. In 1981, the North Country Trail Association (NCTA) was incorporated as the official ‘friends’ organization of the Trail. Working alongside the National Park Service the Association is the Trail’s steward, providing experiences that celebrate nature, promote physical health and build community connections. Today, we are thousands strong. We are a united community of individuals and partners who embrace the spirit, peace, and beauty found along the Trail. TOGETHER WE... Hike it Build it Love It Photo: John Day MISSION OUR COMMUNITY’S CORE VALUES The North Country Trail Association develops, maintains, • Accountability We take ownership and responsibility for protects and promotes the North Country National Scenic our actions, policies and decisions. We engage in wise Trail as the premier hiking path across the northern tier of stewardship of public and private resources. the United States through a trail-wide coalition of volunteers • Collaboration We value the spirit of cooperation between and partners. staff, volunteers, all partners and landowners and are committed to building and maintaining this culture of VISION collaboration. Service is the backbone of our organization. Our vision for the North Country Trail is that of the premier footpath of national significance, offering a superb experience • Excellence We strive for exceptional quality and safety, for hikers and backpackers in a permanently protected both in the work we do in building and maintaining the Trail corridor, traversing and interpreting the richly diverse and in the experiences of the users of this world-class trail.
    [Show full text]
  • Appalachian Trail History Grandma Gatewood’S Walk
    Appalachian Trail History Grandma Gatewood’s Walk October 1921 “An Appalachian Trail: A Project in Regional Planning.” by Benton MacKaye appears in the Journal of the American Institute of Architects. [TY] March 3, 1925 Appalachian Trail Conference (ATC) established. [TY] May 1928 A second ATC meeting… The reworded purpose of the organization was to “promote, establish and maintain a continuous trail for walkers, with a system of shelters and other necessary equipment…” [TY] 1931 “…nearly half the trail had been marked – but mostly in the Northeast, where many trails had long been established and hiking communities had a history.” [p. 47] June 1931 Myron H. Avery elected to first of seven consecutive terms as ATC Chairman.”1 [TY] “[Myron] Avery… helped organize hiking clubs and plan undeveloped sections [of the A.T.]” [p. 47] 1933 “By 1933, the U.S. Forest Service and the southern clubs reported their third of the Trail completed.” [TY] 1934 “Clubs reported completion of 1,937 miles of trail.” [TY] 1935 “The Appalachian Trail – first in Maine, later in southern states – became an item on the agenda of the Depression-era Civilian Conservation Corps.” [TY] 1936 “[Myron Avery] …became the first ‘2,000-miler’ on the footpath.” “By that time, he had walked and measured every step of the flagged or constructed route...” [Note he accomplished this in sections, not in one continuous hike.] [TY] August 14, 1937 “Appalachian Trail completed as a continuous footpath.” [TY] October 15, 1938 “…the National Park Service and the U.S. Forest Service executed an agreement to promote the trailway concept on the 875 miles of federal lands along the A.T.
    [Show full text]
  • FAQ: HR 799 & S. 403: North Country National Scenic Trail Route Adjustment
    FAQ: HR 799 & S. 403: North Country National Scenic Trail Route Adjustment Act Exactly what does HR 799/S. 403 call for? These bills simply amend the National Trails System Act (16 U.S.C. 1244(a)(8)) by: (1) Substituting new language delineating the North Country National Scenic Trail’s total length (from 3200 to 4600 miles); (2) Re-defining the eastern terminus as the Appalachian National Scenic Trail in Vermont; and (3) Substituting a new map reference for the original, showing the Minnesota Arrowhead and the eastern terminus extension. So what does this accomplish? H.R. 799/S. 403 completes the original vision for the North Country National Scenic Trail (NCNST) by extending the eastern terminus to link with the Appalachian Trail in Vermont. And, this legislation legitimizes the de-facto route of the NCNST in Minnesota since 2005, with the formal inclusion of Minnesota’s Superior Hiking, Border Route and Kekekabic Trails as officially part of the North Country National Scenic Trail (NCNST). Wait--going from 3200 to 4600 miles sounds like a lot more than that! The original 1980 authorizing legislation contains the language “a trail of approximately 3200 miles.” This was clearly an estimate, since almost none of the NCNST had been built when the 1970’s feasibility studies estimated its length. Since then much of the NCNST has been constructed and the route identified; the trail is on the ground and we have more sophisticated tools for measuring it. As it turns out, in order to carry out Congress’ intent for the original NCNST the actual mileage is closer to 4100 miles, even without the Minnesota Arrowhead or the eastern terminus extension into Vermont (which add another 500 miles).
    [Show full text]
  • Increasing Opportunities for Access on the Appalachian Trail
    Increasing Opportunities for Access on the Appalachian Trail A DESIGN GUIDE 2007 Cover photograph: Two trail users meet on an accessible section of the Applachian Trail in Falls Village, Connecticut. Courtesy of Applachian Trail Conservancy. Increasing Opportunities for Access on the Appalachian Trail A DESIGN GUIDE 2007 Prepared by: Carl C. Demrow Seven Oaks Consulting, LLC 202 Mason Road West Topsham, VT 05086 Published by: Acknowledgements ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Teresa Martinez of ATC and David Reus of NPS provided invaluable direction, project management, and editing from the beginning to end. Janet Zeller, Accessibility Coordinator for the US Forest Service provided support and com- ments throughout. Peter Jensen of Peter Jensen and Associates, LLC also provided guidance. Laurie Potteiger of ATC provided background on A.T. hikers with disabilities. Thanks are due to the following individuals who took the time to be interviewed for the case studies: Dick Blake, Ted Cowles, and John Marren from the AMC Connecticut Chapter A.T. Committee, and JT Horn from ATC for Falls Village; Eddie Walsh and Ed Goodell of the NY/NJ Trail Conference, Bob Sickley and Karen Lutz from ATC, and Peter Jensen from Peter Jensen and Associates, LLC, for Bear Mountain; Morgan Sommerville and Matt Davis from ATC, Carl Fritz and Ed Oliver of Tennessee Eastman Hiking Club, and Delci Dyer and Mike Rice of the US Forest Service for Osborne Farm. Laurie Anne Rinaldi of Four Corners Design provided layout, design, illustrations, and edito- rial assistance for this document. Ben Machin of Redstart Consulting produced the map for the Falls Village trails. All photographs by Teresa Martinez or Carl Demrow unless otherwise noted.
    [Show full text]
  • Guide to Camping, Hiking and History at the Elizabeth Furnace Recreation Area
    Guide to Camping, Hiking and History At the Elizabeth Furnace Recreation Area George Washington and Jefferson National Forests Lee Ranger District 95 Railroad Avenue Edinburg, VA 22824 WB-S7-598-11-1 (540) 984-4101 12 Elizabeth Furnace Recreation Area Family Campground: This campground has 33 first-come, first-serve camp sites, picnic tables, and fire rings. During the summer sea- son there are warm water showers and flush toilets. In winter, vault toilets are open and water is available from a hand pump. Fees: In Season - $14/night, Off Season - $10/night. Passage Creek Bridge Picnic Area: The day use area includes picnic tables, vault toi- lets, open fields, access to several well blazed and maintained hiking trails (most notably the Massanutten/Tuscarora Trail), and fishing in Passage Creek. There is No Fee. A Virginia state fishing license and National Forest Stamp are re- quired year round. A Trout Stamp is needed from October 1 through June 15. Group Camping: There are two group sites. Site A accommodates 50 people; Site B can accommodate 25 people. Each site has tent pads, picnic tables, benches and a fire ring. No water is available. Please pack out your trash. Reservations and permit are required. To reserve: www.reserveamerica.com or call 1-888-448-1474. 2 11 Directions: From Strasburg, Virginia, travel 5.1 miles east on State Highway 55 to Waterlick, Virginia. From Waterlick, take State Highway 678 southwest. Travel for 4.8 miles to the recreation area entrance. From the Washington, D.C. Beltway (I-495) take 1-66 West approx.
    [Show full text]
  • Pennsylvania Happy Places
    ( ) Finding Outside Insights from the People Who Know Pennsylvania’s State Parks and Forests DCNR.PA.gov 1845 Market Street | Suite 202 Camp Hill, PA 17011 717.236.7644 PAParksandForests.org Penn’s Woods is full of the kinds of places that make people happy. At the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation we discover this each year when we announce our annual Parks and Forests Through the Seasons photo contest and marvel as your breath-taking entries roll in. And we hear it every day when we talk to the hard-working men and women who earn their daily bread in one of the hundreds of different occupations throughout the parks and forests system. We see the pride they take in their work—and the joy they experience in being outside every day in the places we all love. On the occasion of this 2018 Giving Tuesday, we are delighted to share some of their favorite places. Maybe one of them will become your happy place as well! Visit DCNR.PA.gov for the state park or forest mentioned in this booklet. Drop us a line at [email protected] or visit our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/PennsylvaniaParksAndForestsFoundation) and let us know what you find Out There. #PAParks&ForestsHappyPlace I’m drawn to rock outcroppings, hence my attraction to several hiking opportunities in the Michaux State Forest. Sunset Rocks Trail (https://www.purplelizard.com/blogs/news/ camp-michaux-and-sunset-rocks-history-vistas-and-more-in-michaux- state-forest), a spur to the Appalachian Trail, rewards the intrepid hiker with amazing views along a rocky spine.
    [Show full text]
  • Pennsylvania Wilds
    PENNSYLVANIA WILDS OUTDOOR DISCOVERY ATLAS Ramm Road Vista, Lycoming County Lycoming Vista, Ramm Road I-80 Frontier Landscape I-80 Frontier Landscape Groundhog Day Celebration, Punxsutawney Celebration, Day Groundhog PA WILDS’ WELCOME MAT, FAST TRACK TO THE WILDS Whether you’re coming from the east, south or west, the I-80 Frontier is the quintessential welcome mat to the PA Wilds. With its proximity to Pennsylvania’s southern population centers of Philadelphia, Harrisburg and Pittsburgh, not to mention close by New York City and Cleveland on the western side, it’s easy to plan a trip for each season. Home to forested state parks and storied towns and places, any given exit off the interstate is a surefire way to find and explore the natural and hidden wonders of the region. Going from east to west, three I-80 Frontier towns – Williamsport, Lock Haven “The fastest way into The and Clearfield – all feature beautiful riverfront parks and walking paths on the Wilds is via Interstate 80, West Branch of the Susquehanna River. Roughly central to the 1-80 frontier is which parallels its Clearfield, where you can grab a bite to eat before heading south to Bilger’s rocks in the tiny borough of Grampian, where you’ll find towering boulders Millionaires’ Row, Williamsport Row, Millionaires’ southern reaches.” and rock formations set throughout the forest. Or stop off in Punxsutawney - Newsday and visit the world’s most famous weather-predicting groundhog, Phil! If you’re a New Yorker, Clevelander, Philadelphian, or Pittsburgher, a visit (or two) to the PA Wilds I-80 Frontier will undoubtedly change your perception on that long and winding interstate that welcomes you to your PA Wilds adventure.
    [Show full text]
  • Tri-State Trails Initiative
    18 County Workshop Report PA/WV/OH DRAFT March 29, 2011 Tri-State Trails Initiative Tri-State Trails Initiative March 29, 2011 The National Park Service – River, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program Ohio and West Virginia Field Offices coordinated the Tri State Trail Workshop on Tuesday, March 29, 2011, from 12:30-5pm. The purpose of the meeting was to build upon efforts started in 2002 and continue to make connections across state lines, to work with multiple groups to update existing and proposed trail maps, identify gaps, communicate needs and concerns, share successes and challenges and continue local efforts as part of a larger system of linking trails. The focus was on trail corridors across three states and eighteen (18) counties bordering Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia. The counties included in Pennsylvania: Beaver, Crawford, Erie, Greene, Lawrence, Mercer, Washington; in Ohio: Ashtabula, Belmont, Columbiana, Jefferson, Mahoning, Monroe, Trumbull; and in West Virginia: Brooke, Hancock, Marshall, and Ohio. All types of trails were included in the discussion -- land and water trails, motorized and non-motorized trails. Within this report… Introductions notes – organizations represented and trail efforts Breakout groups - challenges, successes, key stakeholders, opportunities and next steps Combined challenges Combined next steps Plus/Delta of the workshop for future planning OrganizationsSpokesperson represented introduce groupsand contact represented information or absent but important 2 | Page Tri-State Trails Initiative March 29, 2011 Each county, from north to south was given five minutes to discuss what organizations are represented and briefly report on trail efforts. ASHTABULA (OH) Western Reserve Greenway is the northern end of Great Ohio Lake to River Greenway (GOLRG), and runs to the southern border to Trumbull and Mahoning.
    [Show full text]
  • The East Coast Greenway
    East Coast Greenway: Connecting (rural) Communities from ME to FL Dennis Markatos-Soriano Executive Director Niles Barnes South Atlantic Coordinator 23 Years in the Making 2,900-mile urban (meets rural) Appalachian Trail American Tobacco Trail Durham, North Carolina 23 Years in the Making Connecting cities. Washington, DC 23 Years in the Making And linking rural communities Tobacco Heritage Trail South Hill, Virginia Why are rural communities so important? Bountiful Resources • Cultural • Historical • Natural beauty Gateway to an Active Life The South Tar River Greenway Greenville, NC The Greenway Solution • Lowers health costs • Lowers transportation costs • Lowers pollution from transport North Carolina Route: Stats: • 387 mile spine • 420 mile alternate route • 23% complete • 7% in development Highlight: • Triangle section is over 90% complete for 75 miles Rural success in NC Buffalo Creek Greenway (3 miles) Smithfield, NC Rural success in NC Dunn Erwin Greenway (5 miles) Harnett County, NC Funding challenge: Paying for greenways in NC State PARTF DOT Match CWMTF Private Large Federal Corporations . DOT Local Bike/Ped Businesses . Recreational Foundations . Trails Individuals . Program Local Bond / CIP Local Matching Staff Administration Maintenance What can we learn from VA? • Link tourism to complete streets • Market trails (and capture the responsibility in job descriptions) • Unearth ways to work collaboratively with rail companies and private landowners • Communicate & collaborate across departments and sectors (DOT, Parks, Commerce, NGO’s, etc.) Virginia Route: Stats: • 270 mile spine • 130 mile alternate route • 18% complete • 20% in development Rural highlight: • Tobacco Heritage Trail in Southern VA • ECG will utilize 55 miles of the 174 mile trail stretching across 5 Southside counties.
    [Show full text]
  • Walking with Spring 2019 by Kristina Lynn Moe the Macon County Public Library Is an Appalachian Trail Community Supporter
    Walking with Spring 2019 by Kristina Lynn Moe The Macon County Public Library is an Appalachian Trail Community Supporter. Since Frank- lin’s designation in March 2010 as an A.T. Community, MCPL has helped build public aware- ness about the significant resources and economic opportunities the Appalachian National Scenic Trail brings to Franklin as an A.T. Community. The library’s “Walking with Spring” series of movies and programs in partnership with the Nantahala Hiking Club and the Frank- lin Appalachian Trail Community corresponds with Franklin's Trail Days Celebration period which happens from the first day of Spring through Earth Day, as well as with thru-hiker season in Franklin. Events highlight the AT, its hikers, and other outdoor activities and environmental issues. All programs are free and open to the public. They will take place in the Meeting Room unless otherwise noted. Thursday, March 21, 2:00 p.m. - The National Trail of Tears Historic Trail - The National Park Service is proud to share Trail of Tears, produced in collaboration with the Cherokee Nation, Trail of Tears exposes one of the darkest chapters in American his- tory: the forced removal of the Cherokee Indians from the southeast United States to a new home in the west, and the Chero- kee people's determined struggle to maintain their cultural identity. Stories of hardship, endurance, love, and loss come alive as a Cherokee grandfather endures the Removal experience with his granddaughter. Filmed on historic ground, Trail of Tears depicts the homeland that the Cherokee lost, the trail they followed, and the modern Cherokee people of today.
    [Show full text]