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Maps: Map 01: Study Area Context
2.1 STUDY AREA CONTEXT
The study area is located in the foothills of western North Carolina within the City of Marion, which lies in close proximity to Interstate 40 in McDowell County. US Highway 221 bisects the County and runs north to south connecting the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Foothills. Asheville, Spruce Pine, Morganton, and Rutherfordton are all within a half-hour drive. The city is surrounded by natural and recreational assets like Pisgah National Forest, Chimney Rock State Park, Blue Ridge Parkway, Lake James State Park, and South Mountains State Park and Game Lands (See Map 1: Study Area Context).
REGIONAL TRAIL NETWORK
The Mountains-to-Sea Trail, Overmountain Victory National Historic and State Trail, Fonta Flora State Trail, and the Wilderness Gateway State Trail all travel through McDowell County. The Fonta Flora State Trail is planned to pass through downtown Marion on its way to Asheville and Morganton. The Upper Catawba River Paddle Trail connects Marion with communities along the Catawba River via an existing blueway. The planned Peavine to Thermal Belt Rail Trail Connector will provide a north to south connection to the Main Street region of neighboring Rutherford County. This growing regional trail network will connect Marion to assets in western North Carolina and statewide (See Map 2: Regional Trail Network, page right).
