Carolina Thread Trail awards $634,000 for trail projects to 7 partners

We just announced our newest round of implementation grant awards! All seven of these communities are taking steps forward in the process of expanding trails, and we can’t wait to see the new trails become a reality. Check out our full press release below to see all of the projects that were funded!

Charlotte, N.C. – The Carolina Thread Trail has just announced new grant awards to seven partners advancing public trails across the Greater Charlotte region, totaling more than $634,000. Over the past 11 years, the Thread Trail has awarded over $8 million in catalytic grants to communities throughout the 15-county region in North and South Carolina.

Access to nature and the outdoors plays an important role in quality of life and economic development in the Carolinas. The outdoor recreation industry contributes over $10 billion annually to the North Carolina economy, and a recent study by North Carolina State University’s Institute of Transportation Research and Education (ITRE) on six trails within the Thread Trail network showed notable benefits to the economy, health and the environment. These recent grant awards will help catalyze new trails across the region, bringing benefits like these to local communities.

“We are excited to support our partners in creating trail networks to enhance their communities and connect lives to nature,” said Jane Love, Community Coordinator with the Carolina Thread Trail. “All of the grant recipients from this round are taking critical steps towards expanding trails and providing more access for people to enjoy the outdoors.”

The Carolina Thread Trail’s Implementation Grant Program provides funding to communities and nonprofit organizations to support projects in trail construction, design, land acquisition and corridor planning. Currently over 370 miles of greenways and trails, as well as 170 miles of blueways, are open to the public within the Thread Trail system.

The grant award amount, community information and the use of the grants follow:

CITY OF CONCORD – $70,000 Trail Construction
To support upgrades to and extension of the Caldwell Park section of Irish Buffalo Creek Greenway

CITY OF CONOVER – $40,000 Trail Corridor Study
To evaluate options for a greenway connection from Gateway Park Greenway in Conover to downtown Hickory

CLEVELAND COUNTY WATER COMMISSION – $125,000 Trail Construction
To support construction of a segment of the Stagecoach Greenway along the First Broad River in Lawndale

CITY OF SHELBY – $30,000 Trail Corridor Study
To create a detailed plan for a 4.7-mile trail within Shelby, from Grover Street to the Cleveland County Community College campus

GASTON COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION – $92,375 Trail Construction
To support construction of three sections of trail totaling 1.3 miles through George Poston Park, from the South Fork River to the base of Spencer Mountain

CITY OF LOWELL – $127,080 Trail Construction
To construct a trail from George Poston Park south through the future Lowell River Park, and the River Heights neighborhood to connect with sidewalks on North Main Street

TOWN OF MCADENVILLE – $150,000 Trail Construction
To construct a segment of River Link Trail southward to meet the Town of Cramerton’s trail project, eventually connecting the two towns

For more information about the Thread Trail’s implementation grant program, visit www.carolinathreadtrail.org or contact Carolina Thread Community Coordinator, Jane Love at 704-3420-3330 ext. 2224 or jane@carolinathreadtrail.org.