PROJECT B.1 FONTA FLORA TRAIL The Fonta Flora State Trail (FFST) is proposed to span approximately 100 miles and connect Morganton to Asheville through Burke, McDowell, and Buncombe Counties. In McDowell County, the Fonta Flora State Trail leads east and west as it roughly parallels the Catawba River and passes directly through the City of Marion and Town of Old Fort. Approximately five miles of existing trail and 33 miles of planned trail are located within McDowell County. B.1.1 Partnerships and Planning
B.1.2 Trailheads
B.1.3 Trail Implementation
The primary partners in the Fonta Flora State Trail
In order to leverage funding and maximize benefits,
In order to leverage funding and maximize benefits,
effort include the Friends of Fonta Flora State Trail,
trailhead development efforts should focus on
trail implementation efforts should focus on
City of Marion, Town of Old Fort, McDowell County,
areas where the Fonta Flora State Trail coaligns
areas where the Fonta Flora State Trail coaligns
and the McDowell Trails Association. Additional
and connects with other state-designated trails
and connects with other state-designated trails
partners should be considered as planning work is
and connectors. Branding, signage, wayfinding,
and connectors. The FFST is coaligned with the
completed from the McDowell House in Marion to the
and trail support facilities should be developed
Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail as it
Buncombe/McDowell County border.
and implemented as outlined in current planning
extends from the Black Bear Boating Access Area east
documents.
to Burke County.
Participate in planning and development of a
ACTION ITEMS:
ACTION ITEMS:
Fonta Flora State Trail master plan that outlines
•
•
ACTION ITEMS: •
Develop and implement trailheads at
Support implementation of the current Fonta Flora
recommendations from Marion to the Buncombe/
recommended Upper Catawba River Paddle
State Trail master plan from Lake James to Marion
McDowell County border.
Trail access areas and within the Main Street
by working with partners to acquire easements/
Communities as outlined in County-wide
land from willing landowners.
Connections and Main Street Communities tourism areas recommendations.
•
Work with partners to design and construct a sustainable trail alignment within the planned and secured corridor.
FRIENDS OF FONTA FLORA STATE TRAIL (F3ST)
EXH 18
The mission of F3ST is to bring together communities and volunteers to build, maintain, and promote the Fonta Flora State Trail connecting Burke, McDowell, and Buncombe Counties. The Board of Directors is composed of representatives from each of the three counties plus designated seats for representatives of the Friends of Lake James State Park, Inc., the Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina, Inc., the YMCA of Western North Carolina, NC State Parks, and a member from the WNC Bridge Foundation. The Board is supported by an Executive Director and Advisory Council, with employees and volunteers from the various stakeholder groups and local governments working to get the trail on the ground. The F3ST has a goal to complete construction of the entire trail in 10 years. 66 — Recommendations
DESTINATION MCDOWELL TOURISM MASTER PLAN
