Heritage Trails Master Plan Caswell County, NC Caswell County, NC Legend: To Danville DaN RiveR Milton NC Scenic Byway NC 57 eek R NC Bike Route 4 e C N uS 29 y Li eek R R t C N Water ’S NC 119 N NC 86 ake Cou Hoga sn e eek L Reek R Roads C C N Moo Ratt NC 62 To uS 158 yanceyville Reidsville To Railroad uS 158 Roxboro NC 86 NC 119 NC 150 Municipality Reek e C N eek To R y Li C R S Greensboro and Nt ’ rd Winston-Salem Cou NC 62 By eek R o C C NC 119 Hy NC 87 NC 86 Gray’S BRanch To Burlington To Hillsborough Heritage Trails Master Plan for Caswell County, NC 2012 Prepared by: The Dan River Basin Association www.danriver.org Funding provided by: The Danville Regional Foundation www.danvilleregionalfoundation.org Guidance provided by: Caswell County Parks and Recreation Commission www.caswellcountync.gov Heritage trails master plan for Caswell County, nC i table of Contents part one: tHe master plan IntRoDuCtIon to the heritage Trails Trail agreeMents AnD GuidelInes 1 MAsteR PlAn 3 3.1 Easements...52 1.1 What is a Heritage Trails Master Plan?...2 3.2 Memorandum of Understanding...55 1.2 What is a Heritage Trail?...3 3.3 Liability...56 1.3 Why do we need a Plan?...4 3.4 Trail Route Planning and Design Guidelines...57 1.4 Vision...5 3.5 Trail Development Guidelines...58 1.5 Goals...6 3.6 Trail Use Guidelines...59 3.7 Trail Facilities...60 Trails oF the MAsteR PlAn 3.8 Maintenance...61 2 Introduction...9 2.1 Dan River Trail...13 MarketInG AnD wAyfindinG 2.2 Country Line Creek Trail...17 4 4.1 Marketing...63 2.3 Rattlesnake Creek Heritage Trails...25 4.2 Wayfinding...65 2.4 Hyco Creek Heritage Trails...29 2.5 Hogan’s-Moon Trail System...33 ImpleMentAtIon 2.6 Byrds Creek Trail System...36 5 5.1 Footsteps to Success...68 2.7 Cherry-Chapel Trail System...38 5.2 Implementation Strategies...70 2.8 Yanceyville Town Trails...40 5.3 Implementation Matrix...70 2.9 Milton Town Trails...42 2.10 Caswell County Heritage State Park...44 2.11 Composite Map...46 2.12 Additional Trail and Trail Related Opportunities...48 2.13 Additional Trail Related Ventures...49 ii Heritage trails master plan for Caswell County, nC part two: supporting material BackgrounD Appendix: 6 6.1 A Brief History of Caswell County...87 a PuBlic PlAnnInG AnD Design 6.2 Traversing Caswell County...92 woRkshoPs 6.3 Heritage Features of Caswell County...94 A.1 Public Notification...121 6.4 Population, Wealth and Workforce Trends...97 A.2 Opening Presentation...122 6.5 Health Trends...97 A.3 Public Workshops...123 A.4 Closing Presentation...128 stAtus oF Trails A.5 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)...129 7 7.1 Driving Tours...100 A.6 Process...130 7.2 Bike Routes...101 7.3 Walking Tours...102 7.4 Dan River Features and Access...104 7.5 Previous Caswell County Trail Plans...105 7.6 Other Significant Trail Efforts in the Region...106 7.7 Other Significant Planning Efforts in the Region...110 Benefits oF Trails 8 8.1 Economic Benefits...114 8.2 Environmental Benefits...117 8.3 Physical Benefits...118 8.4 Social Benefits...119 Heritage trails master plan for Caswell County, nC iii aCknowledgements This heritage trails Master Plan was prepared by the Dan River Basin Association (DRBA) and its affiliate, the Caswell County Parks and Recreation Commission in cooperation with the Caswell County Rivers and trails Committee, the town of yanceyville, the town of Milton and the County of Caswell. Funding for plan development and distribution was provided by the Danville Regional Foundation. heritage trails Master Plan Committee: A special thank you to all who contributed to the Master Plan; to Dr. Forrest Altman Dr. Forrest Altman, Caswell County Rivers and trails Committee for his dedication to recreation and for initiating the plan; to Mike stanley for plan Jesse Day, Piedmont triad Regional Council (PtRC) oversight and for time spent developing public trails at the Caswell County senior kevin howard, County Manager Center; to Caswell County for local GIs data; to karen oestreicher with the Caswell Darrell McBane, nC Div. of Park and Rec., state trails Coordinator County historical Association; to tiffany haworth, katherine Mull, Jenny edwards, katherine Mull, former DRBA executive Director Brian williams, t Butler and wayne kirkpatrick of DRBA for their support during Cecil Page the creation of this Master Plan. David Parrish, former yanceyville town Manager Mike stanley, Caswell County Rivers and trails Committee Inquiries should be directed to: Barry smith, Caswell County Rivers and trails Committee Dan River Basin Association Jerry Vernon Chad hall - Caswell County heritage trails Master Plan Project Manager Ashley williams, Caswell County Parks and Recreation Commission note: Master Plan Committee cooperation occurred throughout the course of plan Main office: Caswell County office: development via one-on-one meetings and group discussions. Regularly scheduled suite 401, 413 Church st. 15 Main street Master Plan Committee meetings were conducted during the final phases of plan eden, nC 27288 yanceyville, nC 27379 development. Phone: 336.627.6270 Phone: 336.344.0608 [email protected] [email protected] technical Advisory Committee: tiffany haworth, DRBA executive Director wayne kirkpatrick, DRBA President Dr. Forrest Altman t and lindley Butler Mike stanley iv Heritage trails master plan for Caswell County, nC dan river basin assoCiation Mission the Dan River crosses the north Carolina-Virginia history The Dan River Basin Association preserves and promotes state line eight times on its way from the Blue Ridge outdoor enthusiasts and concerned citizens organized the natural and cultural resources of the Dan River Basin Mountains to John h. kerr Reservoir. the 3300-square- the Dan River Basin Association in 2002 to preserve through stewardship, recreation and education. mile Dan River Basin comprises approximately one-third and promote the wilderness-like rivers of this border of the Roanoke River Basin. Major tributaries of the region of Piedmont north Carolina and Virginia. Faced Vision Dan River are the Mayo, smith, sandy, Banister, and with the decline of tobacco and textiles, our traditional The Dan River Basin Association envisions an hyco rivers. economic bases, leaders in the Basin’s counties recognize economically vibrant bi-state community with a regional the increasing importance of the abundant high-quality identity, where people enjoy easy access to healthy rivers, the Dan River Basin includes all or most of eight water in this 3300-square-mile region. In addition to parks, trails and heritage attractions. counties: Patrick, henry, Pittsylvania, and halifax in its economic value as a water source and its historical Virginia, and stokes, Rockingham, Caswell and Person significance as a means of transportation, this river Goals in north Carolina. smaller portions of eight more system can provide excellent recreational opportunities The Dan River Basin Association works to: preserve the counties lie in the Dan River Basin: Floyd, Franklin, and to the 1.5 million citizens who live within an hour’s river corridor with a series of municipal, county, and Mecklenburg in Virginia, and surry, Forsyth, Guilford, drive. state parks and trails; increase public access to rivers; orange, and Granville in north Carolina. build constituency for the rivers and outdoor recreation the Association’s founders are promoting the rivers through monthly outings; protect water quality by for multiple uses, including recreation and commercial instituting stream monitoring across the Basin; promote and municipal growth. we believe that, with careful regional nature and heritage tourism; and bridge planning, natural and cultural preservation and boundaries to create a bi-state borderland community. economic development can occur hand-in-hand. the unspoiled rivers, the region’s unique and greatest The Dan River Basin Association has four key program resource, will be at the center as the sixteen counties of areas: the Basin build a diverse economy, which must be based • stewardship in part on new ideas. the Dan River Basin Association • Recreation believes that providing outdoor recreation is essential • education to the region’s quality of life and its ability to draw new • Regional Identity investment. The Dan River Basin Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization incorporated in North Carolina and Virginia, with basin-wide membership and directors representing both states. Heritage trails master plan for Caswell County, nC v danville regional Values Caswell County reCreation foundation The Foundation officers and Board believe in the ability Commission and necessity of individuals to work together to advance The Danville Regional Foundation (DRF) focuses It is the mission of the Caswell County Recreation the common good. we partner with people who share on transforming the regional economy and creating a Commission to support the diverse recreational needs our commitment to expanded opportunity and increased prosperous culture to benefit all Dan River citizens. It and interests of the citizens of Caswell County. well-being for all the region’s residents. does this by making long-term investments to improve education, economic vitality, community wellness, we intend for our work to be guided by and exhibit parks and reCreation financial stability and civic capacity for citizens these values: department throughout the City of Danville, Virginia; Pittsylvania • equity: we work to eliminate unfair gaps between The Caswell County Parks and Recreation Department County, Virginia; and Caswell County, north Carolina. groups in health, education, and economic offers a variety of activities for youth and adults. opportunity so that residents can thrive in an The gym and office is located at the Caswell County since its establishment in 2005, DRF has invested economy equal to thriving regions elsewhere.