Rutherford Bound - 5 Year Trails Action Plan

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Rutherford County Tourism Development Authority

Don Cason, Executive Director

Taylor Hardin, Staff

Elizabeth Randall, Staff

Board of Directors

Dave Long, Chair

Mary Jaeger-Gale, 1st Vice Chair

Jim Masek, 2nd Vice Chair

Jeff Geisler, Treasurer

Mia Chapman, Secretary

Kitty McCammon

Willard Whitson

Janet Mason

Dana Bradley

Margaret Annunziata

David Hunt, Ex-officio member

Paula Roach, Ex-officio member

Rutherford County Trails Collaborative

Dana Bradley, Town of Lake Lure

Don Cason, Rutherford County TDA

Laura Doster, Chamber of Hickory Nut Gorge

Jeff Geisler, Rutherford County TDA

Max Howes, Conserving Carolina

Josh Huffstetler, Conserving Carolina

Jess Kerr, Rutherford Outdoor Coalition

James Ledgerwood, Chimney Rock State Park

Kitty McCammon, Rutherford County TDA

Jill Miracle, RHI Legacy Foundation

Mike Reardon, Carolina Climbers Coalition

Danny Searcy, Rutherford County

Jerry Stensland, Rutherford Outdoor Coalition

Brittany Watkins, Foothills Conservancy of NC

MAP

MAP

MAP

MAP

I.

INTRODUCTION

A. RUTHERFORD COUNTY TRAILS

COLLABORATIVE

08

The Rutherford County Trails Plan is a companion to the Rutherford Bound Strategic Action Plan , which itself is an update and supplement to the original Rutherford Bound Tourism Infrastructure Master Plan . The Rutherford Bound Strategic Action Plan provides a targeted and goal-oriented approach for the development of tourism infrastructure projects throughout Rutherford County over a three-year timefra me.

The landscape of Rutherford County hosts a variety of trails in the Mountain, Main Street, and County-wide tourism regions that provide a number of different experiences for a variety of user groups. Trails serve as low-impact and low-cost outdoor recreation infrastructure that promote outdoor activity to residents and visitors. This trail plan focuses more closely on the County’s potential to further expand its recreational trail system, an important component of the overall tourism strategy for the area.

This section outlines the important work of the Rutherford County Trails Collaborative, a diverse collection of trail and tourism advocates, and highlights North Carolina’s 2023 “Year of the Trail” initiative.

A.RUTHERFORD COUNTY TRAILS COLLABORATIVE

THE RUTHERFORD COUNTY TRAILS COLLABORATIVE WAS CREATED BY THE RUTHERFORD COUNTY TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY IN THE FALL OF 2021 TO HELP GUIDE PRIORITIZATION FOR TRAIL INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN RUTHERFORD COUNTY.

The Collaborative includes representatives from the Rutherford County Tourism Development Authority, Rutherford County, Chimney Rock State Park, Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina, Conserving Carolina, Rutherford Outdoor Coalition, Carolina Climbers Coalition, and RHI Legacy Foundation.

The Collaborative meets monthly to identify and discuss specific trail projects, explore grant funding sources, and create an annual action plan for trail development.

The development of this trail plan coincides with the 2023 kickoff of North Carolina’s “Year of the Trail” initiative. The Year of the Trail program commemorates the 50th anniversary of the NC Trails System Act and will involve extensive public awareness campaigns demonstrating the proven value that trails provide to the community. Trail systems throughout the state will be showcased, promoted, and celebrated for their ben efits to public health, transportation, tourism, economic development, and the environment. Rutherford County should capitalize on this opportune time and use its existing trail network and the projects exhibited in the Trails Plan to become the most significant Year of the Trail partner in North Carolina. 01: North Carolina Year of the Trail

STATE-DESIGNATED TRAILS

The North Carolina Trails System Act (GS 143B135.90) defines a state trail as a linear corridor on land or water, separated from vehicular traffic, providing access for non-motorized recreation or transportation. All state trails must be authorized by the NC General Assembly, and as units of the NC State Parks System, they are distinguished from other regional and local trails.

While the NC Division of Parks and Recreation (NCDPR) is responsible for planning, coordination, and creation of a state trail, section sponsors build, maintain, and manage their sections of trail and include state and federal agencies, local governments, nonprofit organizations, and private landowners. Partnerships between NCDPR and section sponsors allow for comprehensive planning and efficient implementation and maintenance of trail sections.

Each state-designated trail has a lead partner that has signed an MOU with the State of North Carolina to assist with the administration of

state funding for trail development. This lead partner determines segment priorities with input from stakeholders. While the State of NC has assigned limited funding for all state trails, state funds can be leveraged with additional funding sources.

THREE STATE-DESIGNATED TRAILS ARE LOCATED IN RUTHERFORD COUNTY (SEE MAP 01, PAGE RIGHT): Hickory Nut Gorge Gateway Victory National Historic Trail

MAP 01: STATE-DESIGNATED TRAILS IN RUTHERFORD COUNTY

Hickory

A.1 HICKORY NUT GORGE STATE TRAIL

The Hickory Nut Gorge State Trail is located in Henderson, Rutherford, and Buncombe Counties and was authorized as a NC State Trail in 2017. It is approximately 75 miles in length and provides a connection between Chimney Rock State Park, Dittmer Watts Park, Lake Lure, Weedpatch Mountain, Buffalo Creek Park, and the Upper Hickory Nut Gorge including Bearwallow Mountain, Florence Nature Preserve, and Wildcat Rock. The Hickory Nut Gorge State Trail will also connect with the Wilderness Gateway Trail near Weedpatch Mountain and Buffalo Creek Park (See Exhibit 02, page right).

Within Rutherford County, approximately 50 miles of this trail are planned and 25 miles have been constructed. Segments within and along Chimney Rock State Park, Weedpatch Mountain,

Buffalo Creek Park, and Youngs Mountain are completed.

Conserving Carolina is the lead partner for this trail and section stakeholders include NC State Parks, Town of Lake Lure, Town of Chimney Rock, Rutherford Outdoor Coalition, and Rutherford County.

QUICK FACTS

Authorization Date:

Planned Trail within Rutherford County:

Existing Trail:

Lead Partner: 2017 50 miles 25 miles Conserving Carolina

EXHIBIT 02: HICKORY NUT GORGE STATE TRAIL

Approximately 25 miles of the 75 total miles planned for the Hickory Nut Gorge State Trail are completed in Rutherford County. (Source: NC Division of Parks and Recreation)

A.2 WILDERNESS GATEWAY STATE TRAIL

The Wilderness Gateway State Trail was authorized in 2019 and its 170 total miles meander along the border of Rutherford and McDowell Counties before passing through Burke and Catawba Counties. The trail will connect the Hickory Nut Gorge State Trail, Box Creek Wilderness Area, South Mountains State Park and Game Lands, the Town of Valdese and City of Hickory. Within Rutherford County, the trail connects the Hickory Nut Gorge State Trail near Weedpatch Mountain with privately conserved lands in the northwestern corner of the County. A short segment of the trail also passes through a portion of the Box Creek Wilderness before turning north into Burke County (See Exhibit 03, page right).

Approximately 18 miles of the trail are proposed in Rutherford County of which none have been constructed yet. The Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina continues to work with a conservation buyer to secure land within the planned corridor for trail implementation.

Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina is the lead partner for this trail and section stakeholders include NC State Parks, the Town of Lake Lure, Conserving Carolina, Rutherford Outdoor Coalition, and Rutherford County.

QUICK FACTS

Authorization Date:

Planned Trail within Rutherford County:

Existing Trail: Lead Partner: 2019 18 miles 0 miles Foothills Conservancy of NC

EXHIBIT 03: WILDERNESS GATEWAY STATE TRAIL

The planned Wilderness Gateway State Trail stretches along the Rutherford and McDowell County boundaries for approximately 18 miles. (Source: NC Division of Parks and Recreation)

A.3 OVERMOUNTAIN VICTORY NATIONAL HISTORIC TRAIL

The planned Overmountain Victory National Historic and State Trail is approximately 330 miles in length and is located in portions of Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, and South Carolina (See Exhibit 04, page right). The section located in North Carolina was authorized as a State Trail in 2019. The trail commemorates the route the patriot militia marched as they mustered to fight and defeat the British-led loyalist army at the Battle of Kings Mountain on October 7, 1780.

The trail connects South Mountains Gamelands, Rutherfordton, Grays Road Broad River access, and Alexanders Ford at Bradley Nature Preserve in adjacent Polk County. Of the OVNHT route between Morganton and Polk County there are 2 existing miles and 25 planned miles within Rutherford County.

The Overmountain Victory State Trail North Carolina - Friends, the Overmountain Victory Trail Association, and National Park Service are the lead partners for this trail and section stakeholders include NC State Parks, Foothills Conservancy, Rutherford Outdoor Coalition, Town of Rutherfordton, and Rutherford County.

QUICK FACTS

Authorization Date:

Planned Trail within Rutherford County:

Existing Trail: Lead Partner: 2019 25 miles 2 miles Overmountain Victory State Trail North Carolina - Friends

EXHIBIT 04: OVERMOUNTAIN VICTORY NATIONAL HISTORIC AND STATE TRAIL

The planned Overmountain Victory National Historic and State Trail runs north to south through Rutherford County on its way from Morganton to Chesnee, SC. (Source: OVNHT: Morganton to Rutherfordton Master Plan)

Regional trail systems provide important connections between state-designated and local trail systems. While they may initially exist as disconnected trail segments, the intent of these extensive trail systems is to connect regional assets and communities. Local funding should be leveraged with funding offered by state and regional agencies and non-profits with a focus on recreation, community health, and environmental protection to implement tra il planning and construction. MAP

REGIONAL TRAILS RUTHERFORD COUNTY REGIONAL TRAILS Lure Cliffside Broad River Paddle Greenway

LOCAL TRAILS

Local trails typically connect community assets and may provide alternative transportation routes in addition to recreational uses. These trails vary in length and may be purpose-built for specific user groups and experiences. Local trails may also serve as important connectors in the larger regional trail system. Local funding with a focus on recreation and community health is typically the best source to implement planning and c onstruction of local trails.

A NUMBER OF EXISTING AND PROPOSED LOCAL TRAILS ARE LOCATED IN RUTHERFORD COUNTY (SEE MAP 03, PAGE RIGHT):

Catheys

Chimney Rock Riverwalk

Chimney Rock State

Chimney Rock

Chimney Rock

Cleghorn Creek

Dittmer Watts

Forest City

Hollands Creek

Lake Lure

Lake Lure

Purple

Rutherfordton

Second

South

Spindale

PADDLE TRAILS D.

Rutherford County has two rivers that are ideal for paddling by canoes and kayaks: the Broad and Second Broad. Safe, legal, and public access areas are critical for development of these natural and recreational assets.

TWO PROPOSED PADDLE TRAILS ARE LOCATED IN RUTHERFORD COUNTY (SEE MAP 04, PAGE RIGHT):

D.1 Broad River

D.2 Second Broad River

Both rivers feed into the existing Broad River Paddle Trail which also connects with the planned First Broad River Paddle Trail in Cleveland County where it continues further south to the Broad River Blueway in South Carolina.

The Broad River paddle trail extends approximately 41 miles from the Lake Lure Dam to the Rutherford/Cleveland County line. The trail currently supports use at informal and formal accesses within the County. Four formally developed official accesses are located at Grays

Road, Coxe Road, US 221, and US 221-A. Seven additional access areas are proposed at the following locations: Island Creek; Rock Springs Church Road; Clark Road; River Road; Poors Ford Road; Big Island Road; and Jack McKinny Road.

The Second Broad River paddle trail extends approximately 18 miles from Forest City to its confluence with the Broad River just south of US 221-A at Cliffside. The river has yet to be developed as a paddle trail due to multiple dams located along its reach. Five access areas are proposed: James F. Crowe Park, US 74 Business, US 221-A in Caroleen, Haynes Street, and US 221-A in Cliffside.

MAP 04:

RUTHERFORD COUNTY

PADDLE TRAILS

QUICK FACTS

Proposed Paddle Trail: Existing Paddle Trail: Proposed River Accesses:

Existing River Accesses: 59 miles 8 miles 16 4

GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS A.

The Rutherford County Trails Collaborative initially completed a comprehensive inventory of all planned and existing trails in the County and identified needs for each tra il.

Trail needs are defined below.

PLANNING

Project requires additional planning and/or landowner outreach to secure trail corridors.

ENGINEERING AND DESIGN

Project requires design and engineering before being “shovel re ady” for construction.

CONSTRUCTION

Project plans are complete and permits secured. The project is ready for construction .

ENHANCEMENT AND MAINTENANCE

Project exists and may have future maintenance and enhancement needs.

The group created a master list that outlined results from the trail inventory and needs assessment (See Trails Inventory Matrix, page 30). The trails inventory matrix identifies planned and existing trails with the four categories mentioned previously: state-designated, regional, local, and paddle trails. Each category has distinct funding opportunities from a variety of sources. Collaborative members also developed a comprehensive list of grant funding sources (See Grant Matrix, page 32).

Moving forward, the Collaborative will meet every month to update group members on trail projects in the County and develop an implementation action plan for each fiscal year. The action plan will identify specific trail infrastructure projects based on prioritization, needs, a nd potential grant funding sources.

1. Trail Implementation & Prioritization

In order to leverage funding and maximize benefits, trail implementation efforts should focus on areas where state trails co-align with other regional and local trails. Regional and local trails that make important community connections in the County should be identified and focus given to those that would have maximum impact, prioritizing planned trail segments within corridors that are secured and allow public access.

The RCTDA should focus on implementation of the following trail infrastructure projects over the next 0-3 years:

HICKORY NUT GORGE STATE TRAIL

Planned sections of the trail that are located on public lands within Chimney Rock State Park and extensions to the existing Youngs Mountain Trail.

WILDERNESS GATEWAY STATE TRAIL

Planned sections that connect to the Hickory Nut Gorge State Trail and within the Box Creek Wilderness.

BROAD RIVER PADDLE TRAIL

Landowner outreach for parcels along the Broad River that can be purchased or leased for river access areas.

THERMAL BELT RAIL TRAIL

Planned spurs and connectors to Bostic, Union Mills, Isothermal Community College, and the Rutherford County walking path.

2. Online Interactive Map

An online interactive map will provide a resource for residents and visitors to use when seeking out specific trail experiences in Rutherford County. This resource should provide quality mapping for each proposed and planned trail in the County and provide sufficient information for trail users to make informed decisions about their adventure.

3. Recreational Brand

A recreational brand or logo for outdoor recreation infrastructure within Rutherford County will allow residents and visitors to visually and mentally connect the natural assets found in this diverse geographic area. This brand can be utilized at trailhead kiosks and with online and printed material, and it will consider current branding efforts by the RCTDA and partners.

TRAILS INVENTORY MATRIX

STATE-DESGINATED TRAILS

Hickory Nut Gorge State Trail Natural x x x xHighHike

Wilderness Gateway State Trail Natural x x xHighHike

Overmountain Victory National Historic and State Trail Natural and Paved x x xMediumHike and Bike

REGIONAL TRAILS

Broad River Trail Natural and Paved x x xMediumHike and Bike

Thermal Belt Rail Trail and Extensions Natural x x x xHigh/MediumHike and Bike

LOCAL TRAILS

Catheys Creek Greenway Natural and Paved x x xMedium/LowHike and Bike

Chimney Rock Riverwalk Natural x xHighHike

Chimney Rock State Park Trails Natural xLowHike

Chimney Rock Attraction Trails Natural xLowHike

Chimney Rock Local Trail Connectors Natural x x xMediumHike

Cleghorn Creek Greenway Natural and Paved x x xMedium/LowHike and Bike

Dittmer Watts Trails Paved xMediumHike

Forest City Local Trail Connectors Paved x x xMediumHike

LOCAL TRAILS (CONT’D)

Hollands Creek Greenway

Natural and Paved x x xMedium/LowHike and Bike

Lake Lure Open Space Trails Paved XMediumHike

Lake Lure Local Trail Connectors Natural X XMediumHike

Purple Martin Greenway

Natural and Paved x x x xHighHike and Bike

Rutherfordton Local Trail Connectors Paved xMediumHike

Second Broad River Greenway Natural and Paved x x xLowHike and Bike

South Mountains Game Lands Natural xMediumHike

Spindale Local Trail Connectors Paved xMediumHike

PADDLE TRAILS

Broad River Water x x x XHighPaddle

Second Broad River Water x X XLowPaddle

GRANT MATRIX

MAXIMUM AMOUNT

MATCHING FUNDS REQUIREMENT

CONTACTTIMELINE

NOTESWEBSITE

RCTDA Varies Spring Don Cason

Projects that promote tourism and quality of lifeVaries

RHI Legacy Foundation Varies

rhilegacyfoundation.com/ grants Active living and healthy eatingN/A

Late Spring Early Summer Jill Miracle

Duke Energy Foundation $20,000 Craig DeBrew

Recreational Trails Program (RTP) $100,000

NC Water Resources Development Grant Varies

Vibrant economies; climate resiliency; and justice, equity, and inclusion N/A

www.duke-energy.com/ community/duke-energyfoundation/north-carolina

Recreational trails of all types25%

Summer Scott Crocker trails.nc.gov/trail-grants

NC Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) $500,000

Late Summer Late Fall Amin Davis

deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/ water-resources/waterresources-grants/waterresources-developmentgrant-program

River access areas and trails within riparian corridors50%

The Trail Fund $15,000 Spring

REI Varies

Maintenance, research, and stewardship training projects N/A

www.americantrails.org/thetrail-fund

Late Spring Early Summer Judy Francis

www.ncparks.gov/moreabout-us/parks-recreationtrust-fund/parks-andrecreation-trust-fund

Park and recreation projects of all types including land acquisition 50%

Bree MillerAsheville REI Invitation onlyN/A

People for Bikes Community Grant $10,000 2X/year

www.peopleforbikes.org/ grant-guidelines Bicycle infrastructure>50%

Access Fund Climbing Conservation Grant

Varies Spring Summer Jenna Winkler

Must serve climbing areasN/A

www.accessfund.org/takeaction/apply-for-funding/ climbing-grant-application

MAXIMUM AMOUNT

American Alpine Club Cornerstone Conservation Grant $8,000

MATCHING FUNDS REQUIREMENT

CONTACTTIMELINE

NOTESWEBSITE

Hydra Flask Parks 4 all

Varies

T-Mobile Hometown Grants $50,000

AARP Community Challenge Grant

Land and Water Fund (formerly CWMTF)

Athletic Brewing

Dogwood Health Trust

NC DOT - Various pots for bike-ped

Rutherford County - American Recovery Act funds

Varies

americanalpineclub.org/ cornerstone-conservationgrant Must serve climbing areasN/A

Varies

www.hydroflask.com/parksfor-all

Spring Summer Fall Winter

Varies Spring

www.t-mobile.com/brand/ hometown-grants

Projects to build, rebuild, or refresh community spaces that help foster local connections in your town

Small grants to fund quickaction projects that can help communities become more livable for people of all ages N/A

www.aarp.org/livablecommunities/communitychallenge/

Acquisition, restoration, innovative stormwater, planning, and donated property minigrants Varies

Early Winter nclwf.nc.gov/apply

Must be for transportation, not soley recreation. Greenways, sidewalks.