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Home My WebLink AboutAgenda - 02-07-2023; 4-b - 2023 Year of the Trail Proclamation and Great Trails State Coalition 1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: February 7, 2023 Action Agenda Item No. 4-b SUBJECT: 2023 Year of the Trail Proclamation and Great Trails State Coalition DEPARTMENT: Environment, Agriculture, Parks & Recreation (DEAPR) ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: 2023 Year of the Trail Proclamation David Stancil, 919-245-2510 Great Trails State Coalition PowerPoint PURPOSE: To consider adoption of a proclamation declaring 2023 as the "Year of the Trail" in Orange County, and to join the Great Trails State Coalition as a government partner. BACKGROUND: The North Carolina General Assembly and North Carolina State Parks have declared 2023 to be the "Year of the Trail" in the state. Communities and organizations across the state have been asked to share a proclamation to this effect. An organization entitled the Great Trails State Coalition has also been formed to support this effort and promote the use and construction of trails across North Carolina. The attached proclamation and materials note that trail use has increased more than 300% in many parks and open spaces in the last year. One of the peripheral outcomes of the pandemic illustrated the importance of outdoor recreation opportunities such as hiking, walking and biking trails. Outdoor recreation is a $28 billion industry, and trails support public and personal physical and mental well-being, and promote economic vitality and connectivity— allowing residents of the state to capitalize on the natural beauty, warm people and rich history. Trails in Orange County and across the state connect people, towns, natural areas, parks and open space, and other cultural and natural resources. Orange County currently has over 13 miles of trails within its nine parks and nature preserves, with plans for more — including a long segment of the statewide Mountains to Sea Trail. A number of local governments have joined the Great Trails State Coalition and others are being asked to adopt the Year of the Trail proclamation. The Orange County Capital Investment Plan reflects trails as a priority with funding dedicated to new trail acquisition and construction. On December 7, 2022, the Orange County Parks and Recreation Council reviewed the Great Trails State Coalition and Year of the Trail, and passed a unanimous statement of support for joining the coalition and approving the proclamation. 2 FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with adoption of the proclamation. Joining the Great Trails State Coalition is recommended at the $500 level, with funds coming from existing appropriations in the Mountains to Sea Trail project. SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Orange County Social Justice Goal is applicable to this item: • GOAL: ESTABLISH SUSTAINABLE AND EQUITABLE LAND USE AND ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of people of all races, cultures, incomes and educational levels with respect to the development and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, policies, and decisions. Fair treatment means that no group of people should bear a disproportionate share of the negative environmental consequences resulting from industrial, governmental and commercial operations or policies. This action supports trails for public use that are eco-friendly and promote public health and community usage. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: The following Orange County Environmental Responsibility Goal impact is applicable to this item: • RESULTANT IMPACT ON NATURAL RESOURCES AND AIR QUALITY Assess and where possible mitigate adverse impacts created to the natural resources of the site and adjoining area. Minimize production of greenhouse gases. The proclamation supports trail use and construction, which helps protect open spaces and natural areas throughout the County, enhances access to public areas and parks, and promotes awareness of the area's cultural and natural resources. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board: 1) approve and authorize the Chair to sign the proclamation declaring 2023 to be the "Year of the Trail" in Orange County; and 2) approve the County joining the Great Trails State Coalition as a government partner organization as proposed. 3 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS PROCLAMATION 2023 YEAR OF THE TRAIL WHEREAS, Orange County's natural beauty is critical to its residents' quality of life, health, and economic wellbeing; and WHEREAS, the trails that span across our community are an integral part of the recreational and transportation possibilities of our area and promote an enjoyment of scenic beauty by residents and visitors; and WHEREAS, the parks, greenways, trails and natural areas in our community are welcoming to all and provide a common ground for people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds to access our rich and diverse natural, cultural, and historic resources; and WHEREAS, Orange County's natural assets and resources are integral to disaster recovery and resiliency to climate change for future generations; and WHEREAS, Orange County trails and others across the state connect people, towns, natural areas, parks and open space, and other cultural and natural resources, with Orange County's nine parks and nature preserves providing more than 13 miles of trails — including seven miles at Little River Regional Park and Natural Area, and with plans to add more, and including a large segment of the State's Mountains to Sea Trail that stretches more than 1,000 miles from the mountains to the coast; and WHEREAS, trails offer quality-of-life benefits to all as expressions of local community character and pride, as outdoor workshops for science education, as tools for economic revitalization, as free resources for healthy recreation, as accessible alternative transportation, and as sites for social and cultural events; and WHEREAS, annual trail runs such as the annual Little River Trail Run and community hiking activities on Orange County trails and nature preserves are significant in importance to show how valuable trails are to Orange County residents; and WHEREAS, the North Carolina General Assembly designated 2023 as the Year of the Trail in North Carolina to promote and celebrate the State's extensive network of trails that showcase our State's beauty, vibrancy and culture; and WHEREAS, North Carolina is known as the "Great Trails State"; NOW THEREFORE, we, the Orange County Board of Commissioners, do hereby proclaim 2023 as the "YEAR OF THE TRAIL" in Orange County, and commend its observance to all people. Adopted by the Orange County Board of Commissioners, this the 7th day of February, 2023. Jamezetta Bedford, Chair Laura Jensen, Clerk to the Board Orange County Board of Commissioners W.�• it ': '"► � e�r',,;- '� H'T .a-a ,5.�"L, �a l � � i � _ ��,ice', ,a .. .• - GTS N *C 0 F THE 10 *� r � r E AT TRAILS N*C STATE COALITION �� 202.3 * NC ■ 1—he, GREAT IS NORTH CAROLINA TRAILS STATE N�G BUILDING ON NC'S REPUTATION AS THE GREAT ROADS STATE a0 4 , qj r� y S r` � .fR IN � A .fir • • • K 6 2023 WHY TRAILS YEAR OF THE iL NBC • Free to users • Improved health and well being • Create positive economic impact, especially for rural communities W • Safety from vehicular traffic • Protect valuable natural I UA'`ss resources 0 m C,N L 1 T►Q� 7 t i sX t' 50 Image by Piedmont Fat Tire Society Image by Piedmont Legacy Trails Image by NC State Parks Image by NCDOT WHO WE ARE • A broad, diverse coalition committed to bringing the benefits of trails to all of North Carolina - nonprofits/local government/industry partners • All trail types- Hike / Bike / Walk / Pun / Paddle / Ride • All 100 Counties '[LkA1[S s • State agency partners irl ,► N*c C, L.1T►Q.+ THE BIG BOLD VISION • Secure sustained state funding for trails • Brand North Carolina as "The Great Trails State" WHY • Historically, NC has had very little direct state investment in trails and greenways 9 29 NON PROFIT MEMBERS- East Coast THE CONSERVATION GI'2@C1Wa�/. CON 5 E R VAT I C N FUNDFOR NORTH FRIENDS OF THE Mountains-to-Sea Trail A L L I A N C E NORTH CAROLINA A CARQLINA, PIEDMONT `, T RICADAIL LEGACY * *M TRAILS .� _ * _��_-�_ �'0�tld&- ;CONSERVING `�fflRP Cannect ' I � �AROLINA UN`OMaE rails-to-trails trails M OE en glxutlillfe�t!!�a �4`7��ihl](iti CnNSt'kv��CF FOOTHILLS CONSERVANCY (EE) M N5 P, 1 V E R L I N I< �yJPMO/y AC PA ELKIN VALLEY i Burke ��`' C1.0P� AMBIUE RIDGE TRAILS �� t — Southeast Chapter Friends of Or PARKWAY A s s o C l A T I D N CONCRE1s LOWER HAW RIVER FOUNDATION elkinvalieytrails.org Y 3O�tH CIIP0"R�P �A soilRm�oxPAVlxc State Natural Area 10 15 INDUSTRY PARTNERS ......• FREE SMITH COMPANY. Permdrak w ❑ �f M The Concrete Boardwalk Company 0a CONSTRUCT 1014 fY S 73 benesch altaCo1e]enest&Stone CKWOODS BDLTQN & MENK.INC. ul� ABRIDGES Lan� ` r - Smart Moues GP DESTINATION, Consulting D E S I G N PLANNING ENGINEERING CRMMIINICATIGNS EQUINOX TRAFFIC PLANNING .s � bararce through p� r�1o�fit�g DESIGNI INC. S T E 1 RT 11 ■ 4Am*1mkk G To-wnsa5 Retfe-ml, n q7T Rand DAVIDSON wL IDnl Ro�rl1n��r1�}�yi 1pNff V�4YID5�N �V Vi71� 1770� FOUNDATION co Goal: Build the Cities, Towns and Counties for Trails Working Group 12 Ak EPA- 9J : , vqmh� p a Communities have invested in planning and identified trail projects in all 100 counties. Gra mifo y Wallarsan Vance W C Franklin l r2 f ilnywvG�, ', Catawba Chatham Wane 1ahnstorr _ - 5walr Carahar — 5 �taare Hwwn chwow- Clay pack . ._ Csrdlbatfafssl San,c�sarF �Qrwfr Mxtan UnlenAnson Rkhnrwnd Jaws + Iondow INVESTMENT READY PROJECTS a Ready for Construction Ready for Design Great Trails State Plan (all counties) 4- Triangle Trails region eeeeeee Fast Coast Greenway(existing) Mountains-to-Sea Trail(existing) Piedmont Legacy Trails region Owwmmm�,East Coast Greenway(planned) Mountains-to-Sea Trail(planned) Carolina Thread Trail regrow k F• , 2021 LONG SESSION SUCCESS • 2023 Year of the Trail Designation • Budget funding first time ever specifically for authorized State Trails ' $29.15 M for the Complete the Trails Fund Non-State Trails not eligible for funding 14 North Carolina State Trails Kerr •Dismal Swamp m New River Mount Jeffer5on m Lakem R Tk" Mayo River 0 0 Merchants k Knob Stone • Millpond Mountain'L-6-pliqt ■ oun ai.n Occcmeeclhee % Grandfather doc Mountain Mountain■ ...... '—River Mountal L■ Env River % ' Falls Lake Jockeys Mount William B. Ridge itchell .jarnes Um5tead " O "�-- • ett"19rew Lake Jordan Lake P o nt tg ell t Norman • Mountains n Goose Creek C C k' hirnney Roc- Raven Rock •C(owders Morrow Mountain Mountain Carvers • Gorges■ • Creek Cliffs of t the Meuse Wg.-.Ouh d, Jones Lake • Singletary Hammocks r? Fort Macon ■ Lake ..............State Trails Map Legend Beach Dan River —Mountains-to-Sea ■0 State Park Lumber River — • Deep River —Northern Peaks Lake —last Coast GTeenway —Overmountain Victory ........... Planned state trail segments waccarnaw Carolina Beach —Fonta Flora —Wilderness Gateway Designated state trail segements —French Broad River —Yadkin River Fort Fisher —Hickory Nut Gorge 2023 LONG SESSION • r t Establish the Great Trails State Fund - to fun all types of trails paved and unpaved aved ',; Yp - p p t • Form a Trails Caucuses • Invite legislators to Year of the Trail events r T ��WI IMAGE BY NC STATE PARKS a' �:�. '. "s- -y;`. �+. rye'-4.. .•-i z • ��'�� - r. �si.:� �l iti ��y r' 1� �,.• + ?�'-T-� _ «� ' �f � •'L�� 4'. _ �F �dr III � ��i I '�§'.�C f��' �T� _ � �- �'._ {�+ �'~�}G'� r ,�.yM1'. • _ �,r_.� } "A,,; q`zs.�es'f�1 I L�� ei ij 2023 r " r OF THE +rYt III- i -,x :, k, I .ems �. ` v d. �—, •� } APF ft 3 \ 17 IKE WA NIA. H, LK RUNftRs- PADDIAz, �. x. The Year of the Trail celebrates trails all across North Carolina. �f = ti '.{ ti!+ .ram.. ti.' �Rp+�S, �� • '�,,' .� :4 c7 m ^ * N*C Ell'm 18 YEAR OF THE TRAIL IS BIG NEWS FOR NORTH OF THE CAROLINA! Highlights: Host events in all 100 counties 2023 µ, • Inspire people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds to try trails Create new trail users • Boost outdoor recreation tourism __ } across the state • . • Promote safe and responsible use of 1 trails CO4 %02 h a s a a AW I-MIz THE CAM IGN OF THE • Events in all 100 counties J N 2023 • Focus on diversity and inclusion • Website/Social media j • Local tool kit, for communities with Year 5 A- of the Trail assets • Advertisin - outdoor, radio, print media • Call for Artists program Merchandise CBS NC Partnersh � - 30-minute aj "Ten to Tr " and 10 documentary titled short trail profiles Speaking at conferences til • Measurement and reporting 1 Hiiueenm �if1H il(e�lntihl�e11111n1!'lll m+ 'ue n�imijuA uLl+��ilutiluiw�u rd i�jy"... TOOL KITS _ T r 111l1,!ylll� ��• - .. -.. We"F' a�'..y/"'T��Y �.�.`el � •: Jam':- -ts„'�_ .el�C .li. . 1 . Introductory Information 5. Community Engagement Strategies • YOTT Tool kit Fact Sheet Communicating trails benefits and ideas and tools for • YOTT Brochure advocating for trails in your community. • Logos, Assets & Brand Usage Guide • Finished Social Media Assets - Monthly Content 2. All Ab Calendars, Canva Templates, Trail Awareness Flier, • Trail Asset Analysis Worksheet Utility Bill Insert, YOTT Postcards, Editorial 3. Trail Jser Guides templates, Trail story ideas • Trail Day Planning Checklist 6. Trail 5uppor I beyond 2023 Leave No Trace (Outdoor NC) How to stay engaged with trails in NC and your 4. HOW Hos- YOT' cVent community and how to become part of the Great Trails State Coalition. • Templates - Event Planning, Volunteer Recognition, Banners, Invitation/Save the Date Postcard, Event Flier, Event Evaluation & Reporting Form 21 3 ;il Income I CASH IN-KIND Expenses •VFlZNM;NT COWTIMIUTION NC State Parks 5350.000 Visit NC $100,000 MAPKSTINGSEVICES NC DNCR $50.400 US Department of commerce $40,000 Branding,Toolklts,social media rnanragement,marketing plank RF?9erwices SUBTOTAL $S40,000 * + .•' NC Museum of Art_Regional Events NC Electric Cooperatives $10,000 $15.000 Duke Energy $5.000 Destination by Design $50.000 Radio,Outdoor Advertising, Runt McAdams $30.720 SUBTOTAL $15,000 * , PBS NC Partnership,Artist Program,Conterewes, printW-�X merchandise: Rails to Trails Conservancy $1.000 1 FJ '0 0 0 SECU Foundation $225,000 SUBTOTAL S226.000 NEED TO RAISE: $31$,000 TOTAL $781,000 $95.720 22 SECU Foundation PEOPLE HELPIIIG PEOPLE' NOKTH CAKOHNA 0 ■o■ NC DEPARTMENT m■■ p Electric OUTDO g R ■■ of NATURAL AND NC;Cooperatives ■■■■■ CULTURAL RESOURCES ■■■■■ ® Yc»,rT ucFunmc Enr;}'CsKiprurrvx Yn�_ DESTINATION DUKE Ly DESIGN ENERGY. rails-to-trails W1_1AMS Ctnl.hl'I'�',t11["1' �pA1[S s PLANNING ENGINEERING COMMUNICATIONS �P C7 en " NZE . "�� y _ �� .,.mmel��l,11 lff�l lff�i•I��jpl7! Y:.. Sit GET IN TOUCH www.greattrailsnc.com www.greattra i Isstatecoa I ition .org OF THE nt A 91 L E MAI L AD D RESS info@greattrailsnc.com 2023 GTS i r NBC _ Join the Great Trails State movement! r j` 69 • Become a member of the Great Trails State Coalition - • Hold Year of the Trail event(s) • Become a sponsor of Year of the Trail GREAT • Contact info@greattrailsnc.com TRAILS N*C S TAT E COALITION BUILDING THE GREAT TRAILS STATE -;-