Year of the Trail

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Trails are an invaluable part of our community because the benefits they provide are readily and freely enjoyed by a diversity of identities, abilities, and backgrounds, particularly for those who’ve historically and continually faced undue and disproportionate barriers to trail access. Therefore, we strive to build a Holly Springs where trails are accessible, safe, and welcoming to all residents and visitors.

To highlight this, the North Carolina Year of the Trail is the largest statewide celebration of trails and outdoor recreation in state history and will firmly establish North Carolina as “The Great Trails State.”

Why the Year of the Trail?
  • NC Year of the Trail will celebrate and draw attention to North Carolina’s vast network of trails, greenways, and blueways.
  • In 2021, North Carolina’s General Assembly passed a bill designating 2023 as NC Year of the Trail. This effort was led by Representative Hugh Blackwell/Burke County and the Great Trails State Coalition.
  • Trails and greenways are a vital part of community infrastructure, providing significant health, economic, and transportation benefits, and are the cornerstone of North Carolina’s $11.8 billion outdoor recreation industry.
  • Holly Springs has developed an informative and engaging campaign that will target local leaders, the business community and area residents through multiple communication channels, including social media, advertising, events, and newsletters, delivering content and stories about the positive impacts of trails and greenways in Holly Springs.
  • Holly Springs residents have indicated both in the 2020 Parks, Recreation and Greenways master plan that they value parks, greenways and connectivity. This was also confirmed in the 2021 Community Survey listing walking and biking trails in the top three community priority areas.
  • The Town currently has 13 miles of public paved greenway trails, with another 8 miles in design or under construction. Additionally, there are just over 5 miles of natural surface trails and pathways at Bass Lake, Sugg Farm and Mims Park. Ting Park also boosts a 2-mile marked walking loop trail.
  • To learn more about the initiative, visit https://greattrailsnc.com/
Year of the Trail Header 2023