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Agenda 04-14-2026; 3 - Draft Orange County Trails Plan
1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: April 14, 2026 Action Agenda Item Number: 3 SUBJECT: Draft Orange County Trails Plan DEPARTMENT: Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: Draft Trails Plan David Stancil, 919-245-2510 Presentation Marabeth Carr, 919-245-2514 Kalani Allen, 919-245-2518 Abby Mattingly, 919-245-2510 PURPOSE: To review the draft Orange County Trails Plan and provide direction to the consultant and staff on next steps. BACKGROUND: Based on trail planning discussions held with the Triangle Trails Initiative and County Manager and Board members, the Board instructed staff in 2024 to develop a strategy for an Orange County Trails Plan. While trails planning has occurred over the years on a case-by- case basis in documents like the 2030 Parks and Recreation Master Plan and the Mountains to Sea Trail route adoption (2018), a formal trails plan for the County has not existed. A Request for Proposals was developed in the summer of 2024 and issued in September of that year. Gensler was selected as the consultant to prepare the plan, and the contract was awarded at the Board's Business meeting on December 10, 2024. As shown in the attached draft plan, project work got underway with a project kickoff in January 2025 including the consultant, staff and the Parks and Recreation Council, which serves as the steering committee for the Plan. In March 2025, GIS mapping and data analysis began, including review of prior plan efforts and on-site field visits to a number of potential trail locations based on preliminary assessments (summarized on page 14 of the draft plan and this process is also discussed in more detail in Sections 1-3 of the attached draft Plan.) Project goals were created from opportunities and challenges discussions held by the Parks and Recreation Council in early 2025. Five (5) project goals were identified: 1. Spark enthusiasm for county trail connectivity with an equitable, inclusive and engaging outreach process. 2. Develop a Trails Plan that reflects the community's vision and aligns with other County and municipality efforts, such as the Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan (currently underway). 3. Create a comprehensive network of connectivity between key points of interest including work, home, school, commerce and public transit. 2 4. Expand access to excellent parks and recreation opportunities for a broader population, especially in the rural areas of the county. 5. Identify new and existing connections to complete the Mountains to Sea Trail (MST) segment in Orange County. A process for public outreach and engagement is outlined in Section 3 of the draft Plan. This included a project webpage, e-newsletters, social media campaigns, digital display graphics and flyers at parks, among other efforts. Two (2) rounds of public engagement workshops were held in May and September of 2025, with accompanying online surveys that allowed participants to take in the workshop experience and provide feedback. Pop-up events were also held to try and reach out to other members of the public. Respondents and attendees provided information about current use of trails and parks, points of interest to be connected, and aspirational design vision. Individuals were also asked to prioritize different trail possibilities and react to an initial prioritization created from the workshops, surveys, on-site analysis and prior plans. Note: Coordination with the staff and consultant for the ongoing Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan was built into the Trails Plan effort as well. Staff and consultants participated in a joint workshop and both were present at a community outreach event. The Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan is continuing and will be coming to the Board later this year, and efforts to ensure consistency will be included. From the work done throughout 2025, a set of six (6) guiding principles were determined reflecting recurring themes from public engagement, meetings with the steering committee and alignment with guiding plans. These are (as shown on page 38 of the Plan): • Reflect Local Character • Advance Access and Equity • Prioritize User Safety • Expand Travel Options • Cultivate Community Wellness, and • Design for Longevity. All of the above work yielded a draft Plan that identifies nine (9) possible trails (three (3) of which have alternative routes): • Trail 1 — UNC Campus to University Station (aka the J Branch Rail Trail) • Trail 2 — Chapel Hill to Hillsborough (branching from Trail 1 along NC 86 to Waterstone and the Town of Hillsborough trails system) • Trail 3 — Carrboro to Hillsborough (a road route along Old NC 86 to the Town of Hillsborough trail system in Waterstone) • Trail 4 — Mountains to Sea Trail (MST/West - Two (2 ) alternatives connecting from the Alamance County line to Seven Mile Creek Natural Area) • Trail 5 — Seven Mile Creek to Riverwalk (via Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area) • Trail 6 — Mebane to Hillsborough (three (3) alternatives different points in Mebane to Panther Branch Natural Area or Hillsborough Riverwalk) • Trail 7 — Cedar Grove Park to Kings Highway Park (nature trail via the Eno River to Hillsborough) • Trail 8 — Little River Park to Cedar Grove Park (Two (2) alternatives via Northeast Park and Breeze Farm) • Trail 9 — Mountains to Sea Trail (MST/East— Eno River State Park to Durham) 3 The draft Plan includes pages that provie a brief overview summary of the potential trail, key connections, length, and possible trail type, community needs addressed, required structures and crossings, and potential construction challenges. (Note — feasibility assessments and cost estimates would be created for each of these trails if approved as a part of the implementation process. The process for creating a prioritization of the trail options is on pages 68-69 of the Plan.) Based on the analysis in the plan, the highest priority trail is Trail 9 — MST via Eno River State Park to Durham, followed by Trail 2—the Chapel Hill to Hillsborough route. The lowest priority trail identified is Trail 8B— Little River Park to Cedar Grove Park. (These priorities are subject to future Board and staff discussion and evaluation and are provided as a "first cut" of a priority scheme.) Finally, the Implementation section of the Plan (page 70) looks at the trails and attempts to classify them into three (3) levels of phasing — Near-Term Opportunities, Mid-Term Opportunities and Long-Term Opportunities. The text box on page 73 outlines a possible course of action for the first 12 months of implementation, subject to further discussion. Possible phasing categorization is offered as a starting point for future discussion. The Plan concludes with sections on partnerships, funding potential, and an outline of an implementation plan. Upon receiving initial direction and feedback from the Board, it is proposed that the draft Plan be conveyed to relevant advisory boards for review and comment, to be returned to the Parks and Recreation Council for formal comment and recommendation before Board of Commissioners consideration. FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact with receiving the presentation of the draft Trails Plan. Decisions on prioritization, phasing, and implementation will be needed as the Plan is reviewed and considered for action and cost estimates for the trails proposed in the Plan would be finalized as the Plan proceeds. Implementation of the Plan would need to be addressed in future Capital Investment Plans. ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PLAN: This item supports: • GOAL 1: ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND CLIMATE ACTION OBJECTIVE 5. Review land use policies to promote and connect Town, County and private trails and open spaces. OBJECTIVE 7: Conserve and protect high-priority open space, including Natural Heritage sites, nature preserves, watershed riparian buffers, and prime/threatened farmland. • GOAL 2: HEALTHY COMMUNITY OBJECTIVE 7. Invest in services and programs that improve the health and quality of life of the community (e.g., recreation and public open spaces, arts, etc.) RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board review the draft Trails Plan and provide feedback and direction as desired, and that the draft Plan be remanded to the Parks and Recreation Council and other advisory boards for further review and discussion. SONlw IrWAil-05'. All � � � IS.`.s�. 1"d'..� ��vL '.v �' �� ',qa � '�l uv Y•`, .ti. t / pip • � .v.4 �� � •'9 tk: t ti i 1. `Yt ��9 ih, T..i1y, .�L]�Tp ' . ' ` 1� YL.`� i ,.�, ;1}'.�7-'1Y� : 1 �p� •r `�^. ���� � its*• ''1 � \ - ra rye y � �jc,%• yr _ t ��. _.-� - __ \ .\� -.L. \ VA a -- r r 0, AP NO Vb• y F lip, y 2n' �1�RANGE COUN DepartmentojEnviramment, �� AgrlctiltureParksBRecreation 2 IL a 7 _ Lam.,. Acknowledgments THANK YOU to the local residents, community leaders, partner agencies, and staff who contributed their insights and time throughout the development of the Orange County Trails Plan. Their thoughtful participation ensured this plan reflects the values, needs, and aspirations of the County and community alike. STEERING COMMITTEE Orange County Parks&Recreation Council Natalie Ziemba (Chair) Louise Flinn (Co-Chair) Logan Cason Gregory Husketh Alissa Martucci Maggie Moriarty Allen Parker GiGi Rashdi Chloe Reid (Youth delegate) Trevor Robinson Navya Sharma (Youth delegate) Xilong Zhao ORANGE COUNTY Department of Environment,Agriculture, Parks, and Recreation(DEAPR) David Stancil, Director Marabeth Carr, Landscape Architect Kalani Allen, Communications Manager Abby Mattingly,Administrative Support CONSULTANTS Gensler —Strategy, Engagement, Plan Development Surface 678 — Existing Conditions&Site Visit Support 2 1 Draft Orange County Trails Plan Pictured:Eno River State Park Table of Contents 01 INTRODUCTION 06 Project Overview 08 Process & Schedule 09 Vision & Goals 10 Why a Connected Trail Network? 02 EXISTING CONDITIONS 14 Site Visit Observations, Opportunities & Challenges 16 Previous Plans & Initiatives 03 PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT 24 Engagement & Outreach Overview 26 Visioning Process 30 Draft Trail Network Engagement 34 Steering Committee Meetings 35 How Public Input Shaped the Plan OE EVALUATION & RECOMMENDATIONS 38 Guiding Principles 39 Statewide & Regional Context 40 Proposed Trail Network 42 Segment One-Pagers 68 Trail Segment Prioritization 05 IMPLEMENTATION 72 Project Phasing 75 Partnerships & Funding Opportunities 78 Implementation Plan Of APPENDIX Types of Trails B Site Visit Notes C Public Engagement Documentation D Trail Segment Prioritization Documentation E Cost Estimate Draft Orange County Trails Plan 3 C y r 'k i E 1 K n r"o u t on -� i /r Orange County's trails are more than just recreation amen ar r .f an essential infrastructure that ,r rsupoorts safe mobility, access to nature, and the health and cohesion of communities across a mix of rural, suburban, end {; . urban c"texts. Consolidating many previous efforts into a singlecomprpehensive plan ensures that investments are ` .� coordinated,,Aquitable, and aligned with,countywide,goals. �- T This section outlines the purpose.of the Qrange County t ,Trails"Plan and describes the counly'"s`physical setting, ; planning context, and community-driven vision. r . a` ' �+,� _ �-.-• F � s�,a� .� :�.� 1 Syr;:.-.,, j 4 Draft Orange County Trails PlanI ��' t� r f T I � \� F- P/fir':. •%� �� � -�+LF - _ i� � � r� " _ r� 4 n j7t -`•', ti t a��'p \. •I- _ � � r - •- �- Ll � r ? ' \'1 VP xti 1 i ti' I 1 3 \1 4 y` t_ ,` r - •Tay `�~ � - _1.'i r - � � �` ' � µ r Pictured_E.no River State Park ' ti Draft Orange County Trails Plan 5 `. 4 9 Project Overview The Orange County Trails Plan (OCTP) provides a The plan is intended to support consistent, coordinated approach for connecting residents to long-term investment, giving the County and the daily destinations that matter most—from parks its partners a common reference point for and natural areas, to schools and libraries, to town evaluating opportunities, coordinating across centers and transit. It combines a physical network jurisdictions, and pursuing grants. It also provides concept with policy guidance for prioritizing, clarity for residents and landowners by showing funding, and delivering projects.The OCTP how individual trail concepts fit into a larger, consolidates years of planning work into a single comprehensive network of connectivity. guide, aligning what we learned from fieldwork, GIS analysis, and public engagement across Most importantly, the Trails Plan reflects what multiple touchpoints. community members said they value: This plan also establishes a shared framework • Safe places to walk and bike; Access to nature close to home; for how Orange County will approach trail • planning moving forward. By identifying the • Connections between towns and rural areas; most meaningful destinations to connect and the • And progress toward completing the conditions that shape where trails can and should Mountains to Sea Trail (MST). go, the plan creates a clear foundation for future BUILDING ON PRIOR PLANNING decisions. It clarifies what types of trails fit best indifferent parts of the county, the principles to Previous local plans and initiatives have follow to ensure users feel safe and welcomed provided strong starting points for the Trails on trails, and how to balance access with the Plan. By bringing them together,the Trails Plan protection of natural resources. aligns previous efforts with current community priorities and ensures network continuity across jurisdictions.The following previous and ongoing plans have been considered in depth,with findings ". outlined in Section 02: Existing Conditions. Chapel Hill Greenways Master Plan (2013) Orange County 2030 Parks & Recreation (: Master Plan (2014) Orange County Mountains to Sea Trail (2018) Eno-New Hope Connectivity Plan (2021) • Carrboro Connects Comprehensive Plan (2022) • NCDOT Great Trails State Plan (2022) • Orange County Land Use Plan 2050 (2023- 2026) • Orange County Strategic Plan FY2025-2029 (2024) Everywhere-to-Everywhere Greenways Feasibility Study (2025-2026) Orange County Bicycle & Pedestrian Plan View of a Blackwood Farm Park picnic shelter and open green (2025-2026) space,observed during the Trails Plan fieldwork • J Branch Rail Trail Feasibility Study (2025-2026) 6 Draft Orange County Trails Plan 10 STUDY AREA SNAPSHOT This study focuses on the whole of Orange County, whose land pattern mixes rural farmland, forests, and the towns of Hillsborough, Carrboro, and Chapel Hill and the City of Mebane. Major travel corridors (e.g., 1-40, 1-85, US-70, NC-54, NC-86) and extensive waterways (e.g., Eno River, Seven Mile Creek) define both opportunity and constraint for trail positioning. As part of this effort, existing municipal trail systems in Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Hillsborough, and Mebane were reviewed; however, the plan is primarily focused on unincorporated areas and the regional connections that link these town networks together.The distribution of parks and nature preserves anchors many potential trailheads and connection opportunities both within the county and beyond to neighboring Durham and Alamance Counties. Additional details about the study area can be found in Section 02: Existing Conditions. .0 o,M ME ANE -. •... • HILL RO nr O 0 i i -- Base map of Orange County, NC showing major towns/cities and park facilities Draft Orange County Trails Plan 7 11 Process & Schedule The Trails Plan process consisted of six tasks between January 2025 and March 2026. TASK 1 TASK 4 Community Outreach& Public Engagement Priority Corridors: Site Assessment&Cost January— November 2025 Estimate The project launched with a kick-off meeting, a April 2025 — March 2026 public-facing webpage, and FAQs. This task also Field visits assessed feasibility and on-the-ground included newsletters, public workshops, online conditions along likely trail corridors, including surveys, and pop-up events.Together, these crossings, structures, and potential right-of-way activities established the community's priorities needs. and created an accessible entry point for ongoing involvement. TASK 5 Plan Alignment&Coordination TASK 2 August 2025 — March 2026 Project Steering Committee& Reporting The project team coordinated with the County's March 2025 —April 2026 Bicycle & Pedestrian Plan to align goals and The Parks & Recreation Council (PRC) served as network assumptions across efforts.This task the steering committee, meeting at key milestones also covered internal County department and to review materials, refine engagement activities, inter-agency coordination and preparation for and guide plan development.This task also Board presentations, ensuring consistency as included an informational item for the Board of recommendations moved toward decision points. County Commissioners to share progress and gather feedback on the plan. TASK 6 Orange County Trails Plan TASK 3 October 2025 —March 2026 GIS Mapping&Analysis Findings from engagement and analysis were March 2025 —January 2026 synthesized into guiding principles, the draft The team reviewed previous plans and analyzed connected county trail network, and corridor existing trails, land use, and environmental recommendations.These elements are reflected conditions to identify opportunities, constraints, throughout the evaluation, recommendations, and and potential corridors.This work produced the implementation sections of the report. proposed county trail network map in Section 04. JAN. I FEB. I MAR. I APR. I MAY I JUNE JULY AUG. I SEPT. I OCT. I NOV. I DEC. JAN. FEB. MAR. APR. TASK III I Survey I ! I I I I I I I I I I 1 I Kick-off I I Website I FAQs IWorkshopsl I I IWorkshopsl Pop-ups I I I TASK 2 PRC PRC PRC I PRC BOCC Update BOCC Update I I I I TASK 3 I I Data Gathering Map Development I I I I I TASK4 I I Cost Estimate TASKS Partner Bike/Ped Partner Coordination Alignment Coordination TASK 6 I IDrafting of Segmentslr-- Drafting&Refinement of Trails Plan Draft Complete 8 Draft Orange County Trails Plan 12 Vision & Goals At the first steering committee meeting in March 2025, members of the Orange County Parks and Recreation Council (PRC) shared their perspectives on opportunities and goals for the Trails Plan Project Goals project.This discussion formed the basis of the project goals listed to the right, which focus on Spark themes of engagement, connectivity, and equity— connected all of which were highlighted by community equitable, members during visioning. ith ' ' inclusive, and engaging Additional conversations with the steering outreach process, committee, discussions with project leadership, inputs gathered from the vision workshops, and survey data were all synthesized to develop the 02 Develop , Orange County Trails Plan vision statement below. reflects _Trails• vision • aligns with other county • municipality Vision Statement efforts, • Pedestrian Orange County will be a place where a safe, inclusive network of trails connects 03 Create a comprehensive people of all ages and abilities network of connectivity to each other, to nature, and between of to the places they love.These interest including work, trails will make it easy to travel home, school, commerce, by foot or bike rather than car, and public encourage healthy movement, strengthen our communities, 04 and access • excellent and foster equitable access to recreation the natural beauty that defines parks opportunities . . . - the Piedmont region. population, . - rural areas of the county. The co-created vision and goals provided a "north star"throughout the planning process and, 05 Identifyexisting they serve as the foundation for the connections to com • _ proposed trail network, guiding principles, and Mountains to Sea Trail (MST) implementation recommendations. segment in Orange County. Draft Orange County Trails Plan 1 9 Why a Connected Trail Network? The Trails Plan presents an opportunity to develop MULTI-MODAL TRANSPORTATION a highly connected trail system across Orange Trails provide affordable and sustainable County,which brings a variety of benefits to the alternatives for reaching key points of interest like local community.The proposed network (detailed schools, libraries, parks, and community facilities in Section 04: Evaluation & Recommendations) that residents use each day. By expanding the trail aims to improve residents' health, strengthen network, Orange County can not only become a the local economy, enhance multi-modal better, healthier place to live but also progress transportation, and preserve the natural resources toward its transportation goals of improving multi- that set Orange County apart as a desirable place modal access, reducing reliance on motorized to live, work, and visit. vehicles, and creating safer connections for residents in rural and more urban areas alike.'.' HEALTH&WELLBEING Trails can play a key role in improving both ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP physical health and wellbeing, reducing stress Thoughtfully designed trail networks help protect and improving quality of life by providing places sensitive ecosystems and landscapes by directing to exercise and engage with nature. Communities foot and bicycle traffic to dedicated corridors, that have access to safe, accessible routes while still allowing people to experience natural between parks and recreation facilities tend to areas. Trails can also support cleaner air and have higher physical activity levels and better water by reducing short car trips and offering health outcomes.',' With a connected county trail nearby, nature-based recreation opportunities.' network,these opportunities can be extended Regional partners like the Eno River Association more broadly to residents of all ages and abilities. and Triangle Land Conservancy—which conserves tens of thousands of acres of land and hosts a large number of preserve visitors each year— demonstrate that access and environmental protection go hand-in-hand.4 SOURCES 1 CDC Healthy Places - Parks,Trails, and Health 2 CDC Active People, Healthy Nation 3 Orange County- Strategic Plan - Multi-Modal Transportation Goals 4 Triangle Land Conservancy 5 North Carolina Outdoor Economy Office 6 NC State ITRE - 'Bridging the Gap'American Tobacco Trail Economic Impact Study 7 Visit Chapel Hill - 2024 Visitors Spending in Orange County, NC Pictured:Brumley Forest Nature Preserve 10 Draft Orange County Trails Plan ECONOMIC VITALITY Trails contribute directly to the local economy by supporting small businesses, attracting spending, and creating jobs. In North Carolina, outdoor Benefits Glance recreation generated $16.2 billion in value and supported more than 145,000jobs in 2023.1 Local Impr• - s health studies have shown that completing missing links wellbeing in trail systems can significantly increase use C23 and by and visitor spending-in the case of the American expanding Tobacco Trail, connecting the corridor via a bridge accessible places led to a 133% increase in annual trail use and to • - active $3.7 million in new local spending.'A connected network in Orange County positions local businesses to benefit from similar activity. 0 Offers LOCAL TOURISM L�� cost, multi-modal V transportation By connecting visitors to parks, preserves, towns, and cultural destinations, trails can enhance the for residents tourist experience in Orange County. In 2024, across rural and visitors spent $280.04 million locally, supporting town approximately 2,039 jobs and generating $19.25 million in state and local tax revenue.' Strengthening the county's trail system can help Connects people reinforce Orange County's appeal as a place to visit and explore outdoor amenities year-round. with nature while protecting sensitive ecosystems © Supports local economythrough 00H increased trail use and visitor spending DO!J county tax base AWL Strengthens the through tourism d outdoor recreation Draft Orange County Trails Plan 11 Td� t�ra � l =.P _ z�v���� r ;. ,� • / r. r �5• yifrwaty C �e�1 � .y$` i •�,• � 1' e .,� r J V�Y,�� f r -f lk�• Imo• � ti - �-�q�'#•I, � i R,. �rxr r r ;art;,� }�rp}� , � r �• r 'Ye - f' � •• r8 ; -: + +SIN i , ti`�I -'�'F •` •'ti p. �' e � �.. °�'i?;k "•.* ••e IV, i► r f iDi r gyp,,` l+ a ✓1 1,y ' V�f i�cf`�f'r'-•f iJ`, a ;;~•Sr ,►� js��y M�i� /i` �� �,a '�� � '. .E.$ f T ' + •, � Y}iR1 IkR �."4' S ��� `.Ij �s }l�pr��� S•�f•! �W, , •N •' •�•�T�`�,� � i��,� �: .J' ^a., ♦'�a" 6r ��{��,� �,d h��•'a;..;� ,`.. �• r { ' �i. i�%.oA_ cip,1.•.,� tiR'�d,Al' Z61 4 v : �y ,� �4, .A, �F`'� _ ',�61: � ` rs'f�� � F,Ni.'�'a'. �tf '#r�q� -n�A% !' • '_ > >- ' ' Y ' r�4e'er a�..4"i•�r' { �.' •�•F /� Y•�F`. �wng3� � : + Lr`�r ^�` r.; A.y� , ,_��/'� �'•i41pP� lti 4T^` , •�+�; ��y �� i I �� it ti �.' - ,K _y `, t�'1r_ ,. , h�{ P �l�rjj '/ry�tfy9' f�r -,, �.r ^' I� $�[; •ri'rie!� E� _ �-'r' L'_ } b• _ 7.f �l� •7G'1SS'l� l h _ Y r ae r, lr �s� ''• ie ter '• - ►- f .1 ,• + r. .,,� ..! y . 'a ,° ;� + • •,; �.1 �j•{� y 'y�aT•�t.�a� +r y ,J �:. b r W.1; .+�• r ''< •e 's_ L i .1•'•4Y` „ '�E, rv. 3 I iS stiff/ r�� P Yt: a s• CI '{ r Cy - .]y. �q '�"°'IRd'�'+3•'�i - ��;r •.; /� �3k I ,�.• ,„}gyp -i ., ti r Yea. •�'r tise •t. r r R4, i 9n:* j:' :ki •' r�1' Y`tSig �� a�f A; yr�plylf� 3A"„P r.y .� � rrr Y.•i i 1( + _Y + _.ri•� _� �^ �� �¢ t• } s r. F r�Y ;i 3t►'� w�r}, ! of ,� * �' M L Ca: r tr r .1' r' ! y• r,r� o > g! a. i4 W1.�l•.2•i`,'��' ���flF9r�yai ••�.i� ..r�' + '+ �+�, + r-r• y / t r•/i� 1' 1 'i. ,7h:;: 4`yl��`, '�I�• 1 ��{'¢� ►. .1� i. d i(•i! ( 'py 4�'1 f ` r • f .3 �l,oT i' +�5�. ?��y+ �1'. L1'„ ;���#�li •/ . aQ• avy, Y ya1 r�• �I ! {(.Fi:i•1+ ira W. f ma's _ y• ,r. / �- ,A' �' _ r 2�__ kP,��! f It c` f ` �� g .[i Est/ =n rt it . Unoerstandingthe'landscape; iarastructu're, andpianning l _ ;- context of Orange County is critical in�shag a trail network . '•,� , , �,_ `� that is meaningfu•iand achievable. THi§-ougyss.mix of rural, --natural, and tow"environments creat.6s-uniqueopportunities and constraints that influence how traft6nlie connected and Y' designed to serve re�Ments-best. This section provides a higli,levqfoverview of tF a conditions that-` ' inform the Trails Plan, brim-Q ether-early field observations and insights gathered thrdu&ies arckof past and ongoin •° plannin& efforts. These factors heed clarify where trails are feasible today, where a -sr air-- and where new connections 'Can,offer the greatest be"efi ., - .a__ ;-• =` *. :, �-'-� -,- � : - •r -' - ,f a apt"'- 't�; - fry `-:i � _ r ,NSA •e'" ��I �• - •.r 1'�i=`��� _ �yrr�.F;.^•�j=:"Y �; �• ..._ --- 1 f, •s VA a-- irr is �.�-• iti�°-+e:,'''�,�J: Frr . r=a-c• ram+ .�,�•.-ri �_ — - �'�-- r3 `Eraft OrangKounty Trails Plan art"''.•t..a r q -• 4 � } ��p '�%- :'� �i.,v`:'��'�'S "'+s'�:�:. - .h ��.�-U� _ !/� 7 i►a� ra�J,� s}• y- , .�L."•if� + r E, � .� ,�_ ' � -�'f .� F-Y = J r Lr `, S �I�f dV c��9e ,'�d j�\r.+,• � ti, 5�'✓� r�.�-i ►�,��!`! v F'� �r�_°i�• •�� �'• '�' �i -.+' � ��."sue"-�'- A. IM MAP cN LL / { ` '/ I A^ ,•.L•Z� '��.i [' � •` 1� _ Lam=1l� � . F^. ', ,. ,�,:. + r.I+ /, - `` i [ (J r �J-'\, ,rr' Sty ,,�, ••V s +• _ `r� '�;_ •I• �` r} .� �, _ 4 t �_ _ =a ILL � I '����'-l�li ���" �f�F�I�IT:F' - '.�{` � 1hc.. „ tl � ' _' � i •�_ r �. S ,, F 3! �` ' 1� t �St�'• * 'ek V, sue° • .. Rkturgd:Gold,Park e ,r 17 Site Visit Observations Field work across Orange County revealed a landscape defined by rural areas, wooded waterway corridors, and the more developed towns like Hillsborough, Mebane, Carrboro, and Chapel Hill. Long distances between key parks and recreation destinations—along with limited safe pedestrian and cycling infrastructure—highlight the need for a more connected county trail system. LANDSCAPE CHARACTER TRAIL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES Much of the county maintains a distinctly Natural &Transportation Corridors:The county's rural feel, characterized by open farmland, hydrology and roadway network provide natural cross- rolling topography, and narrow two-lane county alignments for trail routing. These include creek roads. Residential development in these corridors, reservoirs, and major east-west and north- rural areas is predominantly large-lot, south state roads. very low-density, and relatively scattered compared to the more compact patterns Publicly Owned or Held Land: Orange County already found in the municipal and urban areas owns or holds easements on several parcels and that are served by public water and actively coordinates with partners such as OWASA, sewer utilities. Town centers provide Eno River Association, and Triangle Land Conservancy, destinations and existing trailheads, but opening doors for trail development and connections. they are separated by rural areas that Linking Parks&Nature Preserves: Opportunities exist require careful planning to connect. to connect areas like Little River Regional Park, Cedar Grove Park, and the Hillsborough Riverwalk—among NATURAL ASSETS many others—through nature trails or road routes. Orange County contains abundant waterways, creeks, lakes, and reservoirs— KEY CONSTRAINTS including the Eno River and Seven Mile • Private Property: Large stretches of potential Creek—which anchor several beloved corridors pass adjacent to or through private land, trails today and present opportunities requiring careful coordination and a community- for expansion. These waterways provide centered design process. scenic value and important natural habitats. Proposed trails should be Community Support: Some residents may have designed to protect these areas and concerns about proximity, privacy, or corridor respect the topographic and hydrologic alignment. To ensure community support, engagement conditions. should be frequent and transparent as trail development progresses. RECREATION & PARK SYSTEM . NCDOT Right-of-Way: Road-adjacent trail segments Parks are geographically distributed must comply with NCDOT right-of-ways widths, access throughout the county in alignment with controls, and roadside design standards. This will the adopted 2030 Parks & Recreation influence feasibility and design along state-maintained Master Plan, with plans for new parks roads. underway. These existing and planned parks create a strong foundation fora Infrastructure Gaps: Limited parking and restroom connected trail system. facilities, along with site constraints near reservoirs (e.g., Cane Creek) pose near-term challenges. • Distance Between Destinations: Long distances between destinations, combined with limited crossing or amenity options and road safety issues, can make connections challenging. 14 Draft Orange County Trails Plan rs ..Y '41 J d 2 Days of Exploration To ground Trails Plan recommendations in existing conditions,the team conducted two days of field visits } organized around the following four priority corridors: Chapel Hill to Hillsborough - West to East MST entrances Little River to Cedar Grove Eno River State Park to Future Park Day 1 focused south of 1-40/1-85, " with travel from Chapel Hill toward Hillsborough. Day 2 focused north of 1-40/1-85 covering Mebane Cedar ` Grove, and the Eno River State Park. ; rospect i _ — c lid Caldwell Ced — t �� �,•, Meban Heather Glen �Efland borough er _ ark::Eno— IE � a -� • Eubanks Calva 54 Chapel Hill ey V Dogwood Blands Y Acresd 501 f The four priority paths visited during the site `s assessments illustrate how the team evaluated conditions along key corridors in northern and I'I southern Orange County. k ^. 2-0 19 Previous Plans & Initiatives The Trails Plan aggregates insights from a variety of previous plans and aligns with ongoing initiatives across Orange County to ensure consistency and reflection of community input and planning efforts that paved the way for this study. The table below summarizes the relevant findings from key studies, including the corridors that have been envisioned, destinations that should be linked, and the expectations for access and design that have already been established. RELATED STUDY RELEVANT FINDINGS FORTHETRAILS PLAN Chapel Hill Greenways The plan establishes a framework of stream corridors, man-made Master Plan corridors, and connector trails as the foundation for a complete, Adopted May2013 inter-linked greenway system; it also emphasizes sidewalks and bike lanes as essential connectors when trails cannot be linked together off-road. • There are --28 miles of suitable corridors for trails within —38 miles of protected open space, positioned as ideal spaces for long-term regional and local connectivity. • Corridor recommendations prioritize the Bolin, Booker, Morgan/ Fan, Little, Dry, North, and Carolina North systems as Chapel Hill's principal cross-town and cross-jurisdictional connectors, requiring boardwalks, underpasses, or easements for continuity. • The plan outlines regional linkage opportunities to Carrboro, Orange County, Durham, UNC/downtown Chapel Hill, and the American Tobacco Trail as part of a larger regional and statewide network. • There is a clear prioritization framework (including connectivity, transportation function, equity, school access, and regional links) and list of critical roadways where grade separation and enhanced crossing are essential for creating a safe and continuous trail system. Orange County Parks& • The plan identifies multiple park and public open space projects, Recreation Master Plan some of which have not yet been developed as of 2025 (e.g., 2030 Northeast District Park, McGowan Creek Access Area, Millhouse Adopted November2014 Road Park,Twin Creeks Park, Bingham District Park) that should be considered when aligning proposed trail segments. • Community survey results showed that walking/hiking/nature trails and greenways are among the most desired future recreation facilities in Orange County. 16 Draft Orange County Trails Plan 20 RELATED STUDY RELEVANT FINDINGS FORTHE TRAILS PLAN • One of the plan's major recommendations is to build additional trails and create connections between parks, preserves, and open spaces including potential links to Duke Forest and Eno River State Park along with existing municipal greenway systems, which could be made possible through joint funding opportunities. • The plan encourages a detailed master plan for the Mountains to Sea Trail (MST) to identify a route across the county and ensure it does not become a gap in the statewide trail system. • Public input in focus groups encourages opening some future planned park properties for limited interim use (such as nature trails with signage) before full park development occurs. • Trail design guidance emphasizes sustainable construction practices, clear wayfinding, appropriate trailhead amenities, and equitable access for all residents. Orange County • Orange County has an approved, adopted MST route map that Mountains to Sea Trail the Trails Plan should reflect. (MST) Adopted January 2018 • The approved MST route runs southwest to northeast from the Haw River near Saxaphahaw (Alamance County) to Seven Mile Creek Nature Area, to Hillsborough Riverwalk, to Eno River State Park before entering Durham County. • Completed sections of the MST in Orange County include 3.2 miles on the Hillsborough Riverwalk, 3.9 miles within Eno River State Park, and a section in the Seven Mile Creek Natural Area with the Friends of MST providing interim road-route connections for through-hikers. • The County maintains an MST hub page with the adopted map and progress reports to guide alignment and coordination. Carrboro Connects • The plan commits to equitable multi-modal access, expanding Comprehensive Plan safe walking, biking, and transit opportunities with priority for Adopted June2022 BIPOC, lower-income, and differently-a bledresidents. • A priority corridors map targets near-term improvements like protected lanes, crossings, and traffic-calming strategies on several main Carrboro roads including Estes Drive, Hillsborough Road,Jones Ferry Road, NC-54, N. and S. Greensboro Roads, among many others. Draft Orange County Trails Plan 17 21 RELATED STUDY RELEVANT FINDINGS FORTHE TRAILS PLAN • The Town of Carrboro's priorities include protecting terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, encouraging responsible development, and providing citizens with access to nature. • Greenways (especially along Jones Creek and Morgan Creek) are identified as core network elements to close connectivity gaps and deliver stormwater and climate benefits. • Land use and mobility are linked by compact density nodes and mixed-use spaces along key corridors to create 15-minute neighborhoods and reduce vehicle reliance. NCDOT Great Trails • The plan defines a statewide shared-use path network connecting State Plan all 100 counties to major destinations for transportation, 2022 recreation, health, tourism, and economic prosperity. • There are five network planning principles—coherence, attractiveness, directness, safety, and comfort—with user-oriented design guiding prioritization where trade-offs may be required. • Proposed segments, alternates, and gaps make up the entire Great Trails State network; in the draft state, there are 580 existing miles, 3,645 miles proposed, 1,471 miles of alternates, and 851 miles of gaps intended to be refined or closed locally. • Long-distance systems like the Mountains to Sea Trail (MST) and East Coast Greenway, along with regional plans, are key inputs for route selection and coordination. • A "no new deficiencies" policy is proposed to ensure the Great Trails State network can be used safely and reliably by all NC trail users, with a consistent and predictable experience regardless of new projects and developments. • The combination of public support (demonstrated through 11,000+ survey responses) and projected economic returns position trails to be a catalyst for North Carolina's outdoor recreation economy. Orange County Land • The project's core vision is to 1) cultivate sustainable Use Plan 2050 development by protecting critical watersheds, open spaces, and 2023-2026, Ongoing working lands, 2) expand attainable housing and employment, and 3) implement sustainable transportation systems that include greenways and bicycle/pedestrian connectivity. 18 Draft Orange County Trails Plan 22 RELATED STUDY RELEVANT FINDINGS FORTHE TRAILS PLAN • A multi-channel engagement approach including in-person workshops and digital feedback opportunities has been successful for capturing a wide range of perspectives. • Community engagement findings consistently emphasize access to parks, open spaces, and greenways as a top countywide priority; there is also significant community interest in balancing increased access with preservation of environmentally-sensitive areas and multi-modal connectivity. • Multiple growth patterns were tested through the project, identifying opportunities to cluster growth in nodes/crossroads, preserve waterway and habitat corridors, and use greenways to connect mixed-use areas with rural community hubs. • Trail investment is reinforced as a tool for conservation, mobility choice, and equitable access in rural and urban areas. • As the plan continues to evolve through ongoing engagement and move toward adoption, the Trails Plan recommendations should remain aligned. Orange County Strategic The County identifies Environmental Protection and Climate Plan FY2025-FY2029 Action as a strategic priority, placing particular emphasis on Adopted 2024 the protection of natural resources and climate-responsive investments; this directly supports greenway corridors that preserve open space and reduce carbon emissions. • The Healthy Community priority calls for expanded access to physical activity and the outdoors for all ages and abilities, with the goal of improving wellbeing and recreation opportunities. • The Multi-modal Transportation priority seeks a safe network of connectivity for walking, biking, rollerskating, and public transit—where greenways and trails can play a key role in a non- motorized mobility network. • By investing in assets that strengthen community vitality, including trails that can increase jobs and support tourism in the area, the County is looking for a diverse and vibrant economy. • The Strategic Plan's guiding principles—which include communication and awareness, inclusivity and engagement, and partnership and collaboration (among others)—reinforce the importance of equitable, community-driven trail development. Draft Orange County Trails Plan 19 23 RELATED STUDY RELEVANT FINDINGS FORTHE TRAILS PLAN Orange County Bicycle The current draft Bike/Ped plan builds upon the 2024 Multi- & Pedestrian Plan modal Transportation Plan and establishes the County's first 2024-2026, Ongoing comprehensive vision for a safer, more equitable walking and rolling network focused on health, safety, and accessibility across all communities. • It identifies a countywide transportation network and recommends connections within and between communities, which the Trails Plan can use to target corridors that complement on-road links where demand and safety needs are highest. • Projects, programs, and policies are all prioritized to guide near- term and long-term improvements, signaling where investment is most feasible for trail corridors to align with key nodes. • The public engagement approach, which includes workshops, an online survey, and a digital map tool, is designed to pinpoint location-specific gaps for people traveling by bike or foot; the Trails Plan can use this to validate priority trail segments and trailhead locations. • The Bike/Ped plan intends to integrate bicycle and pedestrian priorities into regional planning efforts and county decision- making to create consistency in connectivity. NOTE:To ensure alignment between the two plans and avoid mixed messaging, the Trails Plan team met multiple times with the Bicycle & Pedestrian Plan team to compare draft networks, share maps, and confirm which nature trail and road routes complement one another. Representatives of the Bike/Ped Plan also attended the Trails Plan workshop on September 24, 2025 so participants could see how the two plans relate and reinforce one another. Chapel Hill Everywhere- • E2E plans over 25 miles of transportation greenway to give 57% to-Everywhere(E2E) of residents access to a greenway within 1/4-mile of where they Greenways Feasibility live. Study 2025-2026, Ongoing • A USDOT RAISE grant is funding a two-year feasibility study to analyze routes and alternatives, produce segment-level cost estimates, and deliver an implementation plan. • E2E is a pillar of the Chapel Hill Complete Community Strategy, connecting homes to daily destinations and integrating with local transit and planned development. 20 Draft Orange County Trails Plan 24 RELATED STUDY RELEVANT FINDINGS FORTHE TRAILS PLAN J Branch Rail Corridor • The study evaluates converting approximately 10.8 miles of Feasibility Study the active J Branch (UNC CoGen) rail line into a multi-modal 2025-2026, Ongoing corridor, assessing feasibility for a multi-use greenway and whether an adjacent transit component is appropriate. • The corridor would link downtown Carrboro through the western portion of Chapel Hill and on to east-central Orange County, building on existing bicycle/pedestrian routes, transit, and streets to provide additional travel and recreation options. • This is a multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional initiative to proactively plan for the corridor's highest and best reuse as UNC transitions away from coal. NOTE:The CoGen/J Branch corridor is included as a proposed segment in the Trails Plan (more details are available in Section 04: Evaluation & Recommendations). The Trails Plan will track this feasibility study's route and public input to align recommendations. In addition to the ten plans/studies summarized in-depth, the Trails Plan acknowledges several other local initiatives that inform connectivity, safety, land use, and implementation. These were not studied in detail, but they were reviewed and remain part of the broader planning context: • Orange County Climate Action Plan (2023) • NC Moves 2050 - Long Range Transportation Plan (2018-2021) Orange County State of the Environment (2019) Orange County Transit Plan (2022) • Orange County Master Aging Plan (2022) • Blackwood Farm Park Master Plan (2023) • Little River Regional Park & Natural Area Master Plan (2021) • Town of Hillsborough Comprehensive Sustainability Plan 2030 (2023) • Town of Chapel Hill 2013-2022 Comprehensive Parks Plan (2013) • Town of Chapel Hill Map of Bike Facilities & Greenways (2019) • Town of Carrboro Recreation & Parks Comprehensive Master Plan (2006) • Bolin Creek Greenway Master Plan (2009) • Morgan Creek Greenway Master Plan (2010) • City of Mebane Bicycle & Pedestrian Plan (2024) View of the J Branch Rail Corridor tracks . City of Mebane 2014-2024 Recreation & Parks Comprehensive and landscape,observed during the Master Plan Trails Plan fieldwork Draft Orange County Trails Plan 21 f 25 �ts.y F t� � � t0 e B9A-f-y ���� ; t g rtl�l 1 Ci4 ►af� I I �i \jj rL \j, 1"]'. .:, • `1. err i � • • war . ..�� �'L� • • MAP L/ 00 sex vie . � Ce�l��.Cs•►�r�e ►_-''� �e + 5�°�E*kAl U L.,& CAe fX wA a� tj 26 4-- 2k ) Cr - o \Ax(\ 7C�� .� Ae+-5 C�1�.a; � � E �+ie�- T - Inl 4,r-iv 07 ",R, ,P pF e UOD av* rj VL STO P Pictured:Visioning Worksh.. . /,rR)rafftt 27 Engagement & Outreach Overview PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT MULTICHANNEL OUTREACH Bringing communities together through a Public engagement was accompanied by a multi- thoughtful, inclusive engagement process is a channel outreach approach designed to get the critical ingredient for success in any planning word out to as many Orange County residents as process. This approach ensures that the voices, possible, including: needs, and aspirations of residents across Orange County are reflected directly in the planning Informational project web page with Trails Plan outcomes. It allows residents to actively playa details, a roadmap, FAQs, and other resources part in shaping the future of their community, • Trails Plan e-newsletters sharing project ultimately giving future generations access to an updates, engagement recaps, and upcoming improved, equitable, and resilient trail system that events; distributed to an email list of 123 can be used and enjoyed for decades to come. community subscribers To understand residents' hopes for the future Social media campaign (Instagram, Facebook, of trail connectivity, a public engagement and and X) outreach effort for the Trails Plan was launched Promotional workshop graphics on digital in January 2025. The intent of this engagement displays around county facilities process was to inform, educate, and invite community members to collaborate on a vision Printed flyers posted at Orange County parks, for the Trails Plan, provide input on priorities, and community centers (Cedar Grove, Efland share feedback every step of the way. The project Cheeks, and RENA/Rogers Road), and other provided opportunities for both in-person and key points of interest; also distributed through virtual participation (described on page 25) to Chapel Hill Carrboro City School System allow the community to contribute in whatever (CHCCS) format was most accessible to them. Digital advertisements in existing Orange The following pages detail the findings from County publications/newsletters each engagement activity, and additional documentation and meeting notes are included in Orange County Appendix C. Trails Plan Community Workshops What? T—open house style workshops designed to gather community feedback on the draft Orange County Tmils Pla, Orange County Whena Where? Trails Plan loin us for the event that works best with tI e;`e.g,he ork,h.ph.n.dg°a"ny Community Workshops g p° Wednesday,septe.ber 24 1 6:00-8:00 PM Drznge cou"ty Sohn Wartecenter Help us understand the community's 1207 Eubanks Rd Chapel HiB,NC 27516 vision for countywide trail connectivity. Sunday,September 28 2:00-4:00 PM Bonnie B.Davis Envimnmente Agrlcultunl Center ;' ------------- ------------- 1030 U5 70,NIIlsborougM1. -------------- Who? Wednesday,May 21 IfyOu utiliz Orange County 6:00-9:00 PM greenways, Trails Plan spaces.we p Community Workshops I'"° ------------------------------------------------------- 5hareyourfeedbacksndhelpusrefinethe Join us! ar /' draft Orange County Trails Plan. n00ar 0 s..z ae.orvi.n Wetlnesd�y P'ld SuMaaSept.26 bolt rn: •�"••� -.00 PM "dv <n.axxll.rv<nstr xllxewwyxxcznre Join us! .axpa�a.,..6a 0 a Examples of promotional materials developed to advertise workshops through multiple outreach channels 24 Draft Orange County Trails Plan Strategic conversations with and Recre on Council (PRC) to n a ement process, seek feedback on outr ach methods, an pr on project progress Two hands-on sessions n May with interactive activities including co unity oints1of interest boards, current ��rr�ag}ping i onnection drawing, aspirational ° ` 7 d it ut, and vision statement mad-libs �4Y 1' Onli j _ icating vision workshop_activities to �� � _ - mow, �r broa a ieipation in the devJopment of the project .I ' goals orities, and countywide vision for trail connectivity Two open- provide feedback on ing principles ose , trail segment prioritizat °' �_ '•�' -gin.,u;,,.....;,� TabUa.g events at the County Roadshow and enter to bring Draft Network Workshop content out in for residents who may no ve been able tootten / J � Netwo k 111 � ►j►l��r e We!>-based survey replicating aft Network Workshop content to provide a virtual alternat' e to the in-person workshops and ensure residents could p vide feedback on the proposed trail network and priority rankings Draft Orange County Trails Plan 25 29 Visioning Process Community members gathered at the Orange County Solid Waste Center on May 18 and the Bonnie B. Davis Environment&Agricultural Center on May 21 to share their perspectives on the Trails Plan vision through a variety of interactive exercises. The vision workshops were then replicated as an anonymous online survey to reach as many residents as possible; this survey was open from July 15 to August 22. Since these engagements asked the same questions, they were synthesized together into the following key findings. WHO WE REACHED Orange County Residents 96% of the workshop and survey participants were Orange County residents, with 4% living outside the county limits. Non-residents expressed interest in the Trails Plan because they utilize Orange County's parks, trails, and open spaces. Length of Residency The majority of participants reported they have lived in Orange County for 10 to 20 years or longer, but there was representation across the - entire spectrum from new to lifelong residents. <1yr , a' 1-2 yrs - 2-5 yrs 5-7 yrs - 3 7-10 yrs 10-20 yrs 20+yrs Whole life Workshop participants draw the priority connections that 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 align with their goals for the Trails Plan. NUMBER OF RESPONSES Townships Represented Residents from all seven townships participated in We heard... the visioning process,with the top three townships being Hillsborough, Chapel Hill, and Bingham. Local trails are the single HILLSBOROUGH most important recreational 45°i° CHAPELHILL Z7°/, CHAPEL HILL opportunity for attending to 91 BINGHAM my physical and mental health, 40L 8% ENO ordering my daily routine, 107 5% CEDARGROVE communing with my dog, and RESIDENTS 3% CHEEKS connecting to nature. LITTLE RIVER —Survey Participant 26 Draft Orange County Trails Plan 30 CONNECTING POINTS OF INTEREST PRIORITY CONNECTIONS Creating a trail network that connects key points At the workshops, participants drew lines on a map of interest was identified as a main project goal of Orange County to represent the connections at the beginning of the planning process. To that would bring their vision and goals for the understand which public spaces the community Trails Plan to life.These drawings were overlaid considers "points of interest,"workshop and with one another to create a composite map of survey participants were asked to identify nature priority connections, shown in the map below. and outdoor spaces, organizations and institutions, and gathering spaces in Orange County that they Popular routes indicate a desire to increase are most proud of. A wide variety of responses connectivity between densely populated towns- were provided and are mapped on the right, with which also contain many points of interest the top five answers in each category listed below. identified by the community-with significant overlapping of connections between Mebane, Nature and Outdoor Spaces Hillsborough, Chapel Hill, and Carrboro. Other • Hillsborough Riverwalk (64 votes) drawings show desired connections to nature • Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area(31 votes) and outdoor spaces in more rural parts of the • Blackwood Farm Park (29 votes) county. The MST segment in Orange County • Brumley Nature Preserve (29 votes) was highlighted by many participants as well, • Eno River State Park(29 votes) confirming the connection as a Trails Plan priority. Q Organizations and Institutions • Orange County Public Library(47 votes) - 0 • Triangle Land Conservancy(40 votes) • Chapel Hill Public Library(28 votes) ti • Eno River Farmers Market(25 votes) fir. • Orange County Sportsplex (23 votes) l � Q Gathering Spaces • Weaver Street Market (65 votes) _ �f • Eno River Brewing (26 votes) p • Wooden Nickel Pub (20 votes) cwo • Cup-a-Joe, Hillsborough (20 votes) - • Hillsborough BBQ Company(19 votes) Many of the nature and outdoor spaces were also identified as locations for future improvements. Participants noted that updated facilities or 0 amenities and increased connectivity to these 0®. locations could enhance the user experience. Completing the Mountains to Sea Trail (MST) route in Orange County was also mentioned °� 0 frequently. Finally, participants identified the -- ----- top organizations, institutions, and gathering spaces they would like to reach by trail network The community's points of interest are shown on the county in the future; local restaurants, markets, schools, map using color-coded markers; priority connections recreation facilities, and libraries were among the drawn by the community are represented by a navy blue top responses. composite overlay. Draft Orange County Trails Plan 27 31 Visioning Process (cont.) CURRENT USE OF PARKS&TRAILS Eno River State Park, Little River Regional Park, The project team was interested in understanding Confluence Natural Area, Brumley Nature the current use of parks and trails, including Preserve, Blackwood Farm Park, and Carolina which spaces are being used and what types North Forest among many other highly-utilized of activities are occurring at each. Visioning parks and trails. participants mapped their current use by first identifying the Orange County parks and trails they visit today, then voting on the activities they Current Use of Parks&Trails do there which were sorted into four categories: =.°aec°i°re°°edd°!,r°mark°°I"ma"'.park,anduail=...°°gh°°rlhe.°°myyo°°,e today 3.Use colorcoded sticky notes ro wri!e the activities you do at each park/trail,IM1en place it on the map next to your dots . recreation and fitness, relaxation and reflection, tee,4y°hik,thr oseaye°°w e°IaodwRt1lkl onay llow sticky,refertotM1ekey formoree amplesp ,r socializing and gathering, and connecting with tt M nature. A total of 522 votes were received across •„ the four activity categories; the breakdown is provided below. 36% Recreation& Fitness • Walking(73 votes) • Hiking (60 votes) ` • Biking (26 votes) • Sports (20 votes) Other activity or unspecified (67 votes) { h � 25%Socializing&Gathering ` • Meet-ups with friends (57 votes) r, • Family outings (38 votes) • Community events (30 votes) • Playing (19 votes) • Other activity or unspecified (25 votes) _— 20%Connecting with Nature A workshop participant reviews the map of current use of • Wildlife observation (50 votes) parks and trails,indicated by color-coded dots and sticky Birdwatching (31 votes) notes. Usage reported through the survey was tracked by the • Clean-up events (10 votes) project team digitally. • Gardening (3 votes) • Other activity or unspecified (42 votes) 19% Relaxation& Reflection We heard... • Sitting quietly / enjoying nature (51 votes) • Picnics (30 votes) As the area continues to • Reading orjournaling(16 votes) develop, it is so important • Yoga or meditation (10 votes) to keep adding to the • Other activity or unspecified (19 votes) natural and wild land that is Hot spots emerged at Hillsborough Riverwalk, protected for public use. Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area, —Survey Participant Historic Occoneechee Speedway Trail, Gold Park, 28 Draft Orange County Trails Plan 32 �J a Efindingsr -• on pages 26 - to 29—along with the top five responses to • Mad-Lib" prompts below about J goals,, I ' O . r • audiences• • used as the basis for y / creating the Trails Plan visionand guiding principles. 1. Create more parks, trails, open .. points2. Connect Choosing from a pre-selected set of aspirational imagery, school, etc.) throughoutthe county workshop participants visualize their hopes and goals for the 3. Increase access to outdoor sr. - for Trails Plan. broader population 4. Complete the • • Sea Trail ASPIRATIONAL DESIGN FEATURES Orange County The final visioning exercise presented participants Connect5. .mmunities (rural, urban, with a set of 40 parks, trails, and transportation suburban) throughout - county images from around the Piedmont region; community members each selected 1-2 images that best represented their aspirational vision 1. All ages, . youthr seniors for the future of the county trail network and 2. Pedestrians explained why the image(s) stood out to them. 3. Bikers 4. • residents Themes of user safety, mobility, natural beauty, and 5. Public accessibility quickly became apparent. According to participants' explanations, the most popular KEYTHEMES FORTHE TRAILS PLAN images were selected because they represented 1. Networkof connectivity the following features: 2. Connectionto nature 3. Safety • Clear separation between car, bike, and 4. Healthy movement pedestrian lanes 5. Inclusive design Lighting, signage and markings for safety and wayfinding purposes • Use of trails for transportation/commuting 1. Preservationof natural beauty • A mix of unpaved surfaces for hiking in experience . bikers and forested areas and accessible, paved trails and pedestrians bridges for pedestrians and cyclists 3. Reduced d-r- .- • Inclusive furniture and/or shelter in more 4. Healthier community (physicalr urban areas to rest, reflect, and appreciate mental wellbeing) natural surroundings 5. Support .r a sustainable future • Integration with the existing landscape • Protection of native plants and wildlife Draft Orange County Trails Plan 29 33 Draft Trail Network Engagement After refining the Trails Plan vision, goals, guiding principles (described on page 38), and draft trail network based on the visioning process, two open-house workshops were hosted to invite community feedback. Participants attended in-person at the Bonnie B. Davis Environment &Agricultural Center on September 24 and the Orange County Solid Waste Center on September 28 to evaluate the guiding principles, react to the proposed connected county trail network, and vote in a segment prioritization exercise. To reach additional residents throughout the county, project leadership from DEAPR shared selected materials at two October pop-up events and created an online survey to replicate the activities. Because all three engagement formats asked the same questions, the results were synthesized together into the following key findings. WHO WE REACHED GUIDING PRINCIPLES EVALUATION Participation by Format Community members began by reviewing each Providing the second round of public engagement of the six draft guiding principles in two ways: 1) in three formats—workshops, survey, and pop-up assessing how well the proposed network reflects events—proved to be effective in capturing a range each principle and 2) selecting the one segment of voices across Orange County. Collectively, these that best represents it. Participants generally formats provided a fuller picture of countywide agreed that the nature trail segments best aligned priorities than any single method could have with wellness, access, and local character while done on its own. Out of 159 total participants, 94 road routes require intentional design features to shared their feedback in-person (18 across the two meet safety expectations. workshop sessions and 76 at the pop-ups), while 65 participated virtually through the survey. The majority of respondents felt the proposed trail network reflects all six guiding principles, 48% POP-UP EVENTS with particularly high alignment for Cultivate 41% ONLINESURVEY Community Wellness, Expand Travel Options, and 11% WORKSHOPS Reflect Local Character. Lower alignment scores 0AA1 mainly reflected concerns about safety on routes near roadways and questions about equitable 159 access across the county. Scores are represented in PARTICIPANTS the chart below. Reflect Local Character Advance Access &Equity Prioritize User Safety i Expand Travel Options ¢k Cultivate Community T Wellness Design for Longevity PERCENT OF RESPONDENTS ■ NETWORK DOES NOT REFLECTTHE PRINCIPLES ■Workshop participants engage with a series of posters about NETWORK SOMEWHAT REFLECTSTHE PRINCIPLES the draft trail network. NETWORK STRONGLY REFLECTSTHE PRINCIPLES 30 Draft Orange County Trails Plan 34 Themes for each principle, along with the top- aligned segments selected by participants, are summarized below. We heard... g Reflect Local Character 96 Being able to travel on Top segment: Carrboro to Hillsborough (Road foot or bicycle from route via Old NC 86) Hillsborough to Chapel Hill • Rural landscapes, creek corridors, preserves would be a game changer. • Conservation and protected natural areas • Sensitivity near private rural homes and creeks —Survey Participant t Advance Access& Equity Top segment: UNC Campus to University Station (Rail to Trail via NCRR CoGen Line) DRAFTTRAIL NETWORK FEEDBACK • Convenient access for rural residents Participants also had the opportunity to provide • Connections to historically underserved areas feedback on the proposed draft trail network, • Inclusive for all ages and abilities which was shown on a map during the workshops, at pop up events, and in the survey. Feedback 0 Prioritize user safety centered on the following three themes: Top segment: UNC Campus to University Station (Rail to Trail via NCRR CoGen Line) What Excited People • Separation from traffic / no shoulder-walking Strong support for MST continuity and • Protected crossings completing the missing links • Lighting, call boxes, and visibility Enthusiasm for town connectivity, especially • Etiquette, rules, or shared-use norms Chapel Hill and Carrboro to Hillsborough • Interest in longer, quiet, nature-based routes A Expand Travel Options Appreciation for linking existing community Top segment: Carrboro to Hillsborough (Road points of interest route via Old NC 86) • Town-to-town connectivity Common Questions • Low stress, non-motorized mobility options . Will road routes be side paths, bike lanes, or • Emphasis on separated, comfortable routes separated greenways? • Will the network coordinate with the Bicycle & CQ7 Cultivate Community Wellness Pedestrian Plan and neighboring county plans? Top segment: Seven Mile Creek Natural Area to How will safety be handled on active rail Hillsborough Riverwalk (Nature trail) corridors, major roadways, and crossings? • Immersion in nature and quiet settings What surface materials, lighting, and • Mental health and stress-reduction benefits wayfinding strategies will be used? • Preference for nature trails over road routes • Support for walking, running, and gathering Key Concerns • Safety on roads without separation from traffic Design for Longevity Potential impacts to creeks and native plants Top segment: Carrboro to Hillsborough (Road Privacy and proximity concerns along certain route via Old NC 86) corridors • Drainage, flooding, and erosion concerns Long-term trail maintenance needs • Durable materials and sustainable maintenance Draft Orange County Trails Plan 31 35 Draft Trail Network Engagement (cont.) TRAIL SEGMENT PRIORITIZATION Based on input gathered to date—including conversations with the steering committee, site visit findings, discussions with project leadership,feedback on the countywide vision, and five key initial evaluation criteria—the Trails Plan project team placed each of the trail segments in a draft order of priority in preparation for this round of engagement. At the workshops and pop-up events, participants used color-coded dots to vote on whether Possible Traii Segment Prioritization The U proposed trail segments have been placed in a draft order of priority Voting LW d segments should be higher(green dot) lower(red basedoninPormationreceivedro date. •Sh-ldwiththis pft,itpriodry � .u:«°mrede°tamanareya°rtnaagnis°n the erafterderafpri«Iry. •snowdbeMgnerpe°ruy dot), or remain in place (blue dot) on the draft you an alsolikky— itn`omme"ts on the post`'to the right. •Should be'o' priority priority list. In the online survey, respondents dragged segments into a 1-12 ranking. Because P b UNC4mpusto CRRCsge SLi.,) 00000 (Rail to Trail via NCRR Cogen Line) • •• Chapel Hill WHillsborough •N•• the engagement sessions used the same activity, I (NCRRCogenU.toC.-CreekParkAl NC 86 and Waterston,Dr) the combined results offer a clear picture of which MST-Alamance Ow yto Sewn Mile •••• 1 Cmk Natural Arw •• segments are valued most by the community. The (Natur,trail) MST-EnoRl—Std*ParkWDurWa •••••• following results represent a strong preference Natpr<trall) ���•• • for nature trails over road routes, a desire for safe 4 Hlllid—ghR'vennikNalunlAnalo ��0 (Nat—mil) and separated routes on higher-speed roads, and CedmGrov<ParktoKingsHlgh-yPark •••••••• (NaNr<trail via Eno River) support for improving regional connectivity and MST-Alamance 0oFintyto8even Mlle • completing MST gaps. �' (Road Houle)'" • LRrh RlwrParkto Cedar Grow Park • Q (Newt,trail via Northeast Park and lln Qualities of Top Ranking Trails M baeFarm, •• Mebanalo Nln,kaato •••• ••• }7 Oaoroutevla USTDh)West HIIIAw/ • MST connections °°°°° "eeM°°°`°'°' (R..d Rlwr d.N Cedar Grove Park •• • Rail to trail concept 9u� (Road route via Northeast Park and Breeze Farm) • Long, continuous nature trails CaWWWChapl Hill to Hills_91, ••• (Road route via Old NC 86) •••••••• ••• ffi Lake Michael Park to Panther 11-1, ••••••• Lowest Nature Preserve to Hillsborough Qualities of Low Ranking Trails p^o^b (Road rourevi,Lebanon Rd) • Road-adjacent routes • Perceived as less scenic Dot voting results from in-person participants who shared • Unclear separation from traffic their priorities for the 12 proposed segments MST-Eno River State Park to Durham(Nature trail) 4.26 Seven Mile Creek Natural Area to Hillsborough Riverwalk(Nature trail) 4.28 UNC Campus to University Station(Rail to Trail via NCRR CoGen Line) 4.48 MST-Alamance County to Seven Mile Creek Natural Area(Nature trail) 4.81 Chapel Hill to Hillsborough(Road route via NC 86&Waterstone Dr) 5.03 Carrboro to Hillsborough(Road route via Old NC 86) 6.11 Cedar Grove Park to Kings Highway Park(Nature Trail via Eno River) 6.17 Mebane to Hillsborough(Road route via US-70 to West Hill Ave/Occoneechee Mtn) 7.17 MST-Alamance County to Seven Mile Creek Natural Area(Road route) 7.83 Little River Park to Cedar Grove Park(Nature trail via Northeast Park&Breeze Farm) 7.87 Little River Park to Cedar Grove Park(Road route via Northeast Park&Breeze Farm) =9.59 Lake Michael Park to Panther Branch Nature Preserve(Road route via Lebanon Rd) M10.38 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Top AVERAGE SEGMENT RANKING(SURVEY) Lowest priority priority 32 Draft Orange County Trails Plan Applying Key Takeaways This second round of public engagement provided the clarity the project team needed to transform a broader vision and draft network concept into a more solidified recommendation for a connected county - - trail network, as well as understand what it should deliver in order to be successful. Community members helped confirm the types of connections that are most meaningful in their day-to-day lives, highlight where design decisions will likely - matter most for meeting user expectations, and offered valuable insights about comfort, safety, visibility, and access based on their lived experiences. This input allowed the a _ proposed network and evaluation process to be refined into an ideal experience for trail i users across Orange County. - PLAN ADJUSTMENTS BASED ON y ENGAGEMENT FEEDBACK • Added a new alternate nature trail option between Mebane to Hillsborough along the Duke Energy transmission easement to align with community preferences for quiet, scenic routes • Re-numbered the trail segments for clarity in the number of proposed trails _ and distinction between alternates Refined primary segment priorities to • reflect all three sources: initial order of • priority developed by the project team, ' workshop and pop-up dot voting results, • • and survey rankings • - • Provided clearer expectations for • . - separation and crossings on road routes _ _ • • • Included recommendations for lighting and wayfinding strategies that would enhance user safety 37 Steering Committee Meetings The existing Orange County Parks and Recreation Council was leveraged as the Trails Plan steering committee. In these monthly meetings, the group offered guidance for the engagement and outreach process and provided feedback on project progress. For detailed notes from these meetings, see Appendix C. MEETING#1 MEETING#4 Project Kick-off Draft Plan Review&Workshop Planning March 5, 2025 September 3, 2025 The first steering committee meeting introduced At the fourth meeting, the team reported on committee members to the Trails Plan project and recent progress-including the vision survey, the role the council would play throughout. Prior coordination with the Bicycle & Pedestrian to the meeting, a short survey was distributed to Plan, and draft language for the vision, goals, the committee with the following prompts: and guiding principles.They then reviewed • What are the main opportunities presented by the proposed Trails Plan report contents and the Orange County Trails Plan project? the steering committee provided input on the • What challenges might we anticipate as part of September workshop format. this project? • Please share goals you have for the Trails Plan. Community Engagement Research DuHng pmjettstart-up,our team reviewed a—ely Drina..enla—including previously adopted plans and past outreach effodi. A,we proceed with community engagement for the Talk Plan,we will build upon what we have learned, The team facilitated a discussion about the including ale key nkeawaya: opportunities, challenges, and goals gathered - awe •m..ml.nx m�wn�H"xw,tnewvmr.ewwuM through the survey.They also shared key x.a.°x•w°..e ' Pw�.b takeaways from community engagement research, ..°°,� '^gene^o^^+• Survey Summary the project roadmap, and an initial agenda for the Opportunities B Challenges ir _________________________________„___________________-____-_____ vision workshops. ^°°'°'°° ^°"°°g� xengegementwah hi—I iry uevigating IWawnemnipane arQuienon merpimi Mp°puietbns wah a.a�b°osaecao w mKeewbpmen ,°n MEETING#2 ooW nm wnry a ' u^ mneuDmmentumanem nglmvad tmeMw�xm,msw nau«cos, ream retie-wmrex a:edeet and orzogecounry Prove Pmc ° w` Vision Workshop Planning1e 'rna� "Me'.: April 2, 2025 Visioning Stations ' After a brief summary of the site visits to parks, "gGt'°"':R'nkingCadraft-ofes •Participants rank,rid.,setof priorirytrail corridors In order of importance open spaces, and trails throughout the county, SapaH ipan[srremew popular parks/community the steering committee and project team built a sa E.pauda'ry`°t000nsthatw'°._ •op,,o atle.u,outdoorrecmalati :• upon a draft outline of the May Vision Workshops Build,nitiesto abr—iii population E •sailaa neannier commnnny and brainstormed activities for visioning stations rn-twiulti-medal new Current Use of Parks&Trails [ivity between key Particip...marked which +••••••°••••••••.+• +•-•••............... questions for arrival posters and questions for the parkzandtraiI,t^eyaxt°day 3 men mentiRed the ac Nitit� . they do there,sum as. exit feedback survey. „^ MEETING#3 - 4- Engagement Findings Report-Out Trails Plan Report:Proposed Table of Contents LA. June 4, 2025 OL lntrodudlon OaGuiding Nlat Recomm<ndatlons Sv°"a Protect Overview,Process,B Xhedule Guiding Princlples •VlslonB t- Proposed Troll Network The third meeting focused on findings from the Troll Ba kcalnn,% Trzll Segment One-Pager • Fl[s PFIOHIy Evaluation CrllerlaB Xorecard 03:Ealsting<°ndltlons 06:Implem<ntatlon 3 engagement process to date particularly from Slte Veltsommary Protect Phasing Pra,IP Studies8lnlHativez Partnerships&Funding Opportunitles the vision workshops, and the steering committee :"bil,nitlasBChallengea •Impke.,11.1pn Plan -E,g llc Engagement 06:Appendia •St..I C—liutreach Overview Proleet goadmap shared recommendations for future engagement gt°°ring Committee Meatii gummary Park,Engagement Documentation • D,ft Workshop pun H,ySummary Parks91-Council Meeting Noes •DreR Trails Plan Open Houu Summary Cost Es[Ima[e events. A look ahead to the remainder of the year was also reviewed. Selected presentation slides from the four steering committee meetings 34 Draft Orange County Trails Plan How Public Input Shaped the Plan Public input played a central role in shaping the Trails Plan. Insights from the visioning process—especially the recurring themes of safety, access to nature, connectivity between towns, and accessibility for all ages—were translated directly into the plan's vision statement and guiding principles,which now serve as the foundation for evaluating proposed trail segments and the implementation approach.The priority connections drawn by visioning participants, paired with the key community destinations they identified, created clear clusters of parks, preserves,facilities, and gathering spaces, and informed how the proposed connected county trail network is organized to make connections meaningful. Feedback gathered during the fall open houses and draft network survey guided refinements to trail segments and helped confirm which corridors had the most community support.The survey also provided the most comprehensive dataset for prioritization; its rankings were weighted most heavily in the segment scoring framework, ensuring that top projects reflect both public preference and technical feasibility (see Section 04: Evaluation & Recommendations for more details on this scoring process. Together,the draft network, guiding principles, and prioritized segment list represent a comprehensive synthesis of what residents said they value and what existing conditions make possible, creating an Orange County Trails Plan grounded in the community vision. Inputs Inputs Inputs Inputs What we heard What we heard What we heard What we heard ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . . . . . r r Insights Insights What it means&why it matters What it means &why it matters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 GuidingPrinciplesHow it connects O r Trails Plan What it looks like Draft Orange County Trails Plan 35 � li and -- • • r---- : L -10591 40 lountain Crepk 1 ,+' �. • l J 1 + J 1. t AJEk w 4� 1 r r Toning Workshop- u Draft Orange County Trails Plan 37 Guiding Principles These six guiding principles for the Orange County Trails Plan reflect recurring themes that arose during public engagement, discussions with the steering committee, and alignment with project leadership. 4V REFLECT LOCAL CHARACTER ADVANCE ACCESS&EQUITY Trails should seamlessly integrate into the All Orange County residents—regardless of age, surrounding landscape and reflect the unique ability, income, or location—deserve safe and identity of each community they pass through— convenient access to outdoor exploration.The from rural to urban and everything in between—to trail network should prioritize connectivity to foster a stronger sense of identity and place across historically underserved areas, promote inclusion, Orange County. and ensure diverse community needs are met. O a ��A PRIORITIZE USER SAFETY EXPAND TRAVEL OPTIONS Safety is essential for encouraging trail use. To be effective, the trail network should provide Thoughtful trail design with universal access, viable alternatives to vehicle transportation and adequate visibility, clear wayfinding, and safe encourage more active modes of travel, like biking crossings should be at the forefront to keep or walking, by connecting key points of interest pedestrians and cyclists safe and comfortable. across the county. 1 � - L CULTIVATE COMMUNITY WELLNESS DESIGN FOR LONGEVITY The trail network should help build a happier, Trails should be designed and constructed using healthier community by supporting physical best practices that promote long-term resilience, activity, mental health, and social well-being ease of maintenance, and adaptability, allowing through opportunities for recreation, relaxation, the network to evolve as the county grows and and connection with nature. community priorities change over time. 38 1 Draft Orange County Trails Plan 42 Statewide & Regional Context As Orange County advances its vision for a connected trail network, it is important to understand these recommendations within the broader context of the systems that surround and shape it. At the statewide level, North Carolina's State Trails System (as shown in the map below) links various landscapes through a network of 14 trails, each of which is composed of multiple segments that are managed by federal, state, or local government agencies, nonprofit organizations, or private landowners!The Mountains to Sea Trail is part of this system, spanning west to east across Orange County, making it a critical priority for many community members and a significant component of the Trails Plan. At the regional scale, government councils and Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) across the Piedmont region are working with the NC Trails Program to expand greenways and multi-modal corridors across the county.These statewide and regional efforts provide the momentum and context for the proposed Orange County Trails Plan, which is designed to respond to local community needs. OR '$.y`q °s�'' ?"F g C a if YY ,q't��m • " sit -`,a o the h Yr 37 irPiJ ITT :p.r 1 a #1 f ! _ .li�0^d . ones Elk knob ytoner.—rpilot -.. Occoneechee y . `�\ Mountain Moum'tam *'•+ Mountain ^MedoC Mountain l.l\ .GcaeA�o Haw., � .-•*R ne dezvous � •Rver,'• * Eno River Grandfather;% Mountain iWinston s; * L � Mount Mountains ;�, Salem '+,p *Falls Lake ••i,•,., —� lock_ey's Mitchell *William B. Rocky Mount - Ridge * ••y'' Jordan, - Uriistead *Dettigrew� Lake*+ -�-•? * Lake• •_� ; ,1 ----J'ames ; *South!. Lake m Raleigh N••, ... ®Asheville ---f. Mountains Norman t Raven Greenville ;y se`C'reek i Chimney =^+e: ,,+ Rock •y Morrow Rock; Goldsboro ® '" ♦f Mountain 1 ;V41 * * Charlotte *' Carvers Cliffs of -` Gorges C•rowele�s * Creek M the Neuse ymou Weth 1 ountain W6od5 ayote�ille Jacksonville - Jones Lake*', m *.�`-*F.oJf'Maeon *Singletary Ham�ockb ake Beach Lurn�ber* CrJ River *Lake '2ror Waccamaw *Caylina Beach __ ,i Fort Fisher SOURCES: 8 North Carolina State Parks - State Trails System Draft Orange County Trails Plan 39 43 Proposed Trail Network The proposed trail network, mapped on page 41, PROPOSED SEGMENTS WITH ALTERNATES represents the synthesis of community priorities, UNC Campus to University Station feasibility analysis, and the guiding principles O (Rail to Trail via NCRR CoGen Line) established earlier in this section. It includes a balanced system of nature trails, rail-to-trail Chapel Hill to Hillsborough opportunities, and shared-use paths along roads O (Road route via NC 86 &Waterstone Dr that link parks, preserves,towns, schools, natural to Cates Creek Park) areas, and regional trail systems.These segments create the foundation of a connected county Carrboro to Hillsborough mobility network that expands access, strengthens O (Road route via Old NC 86) town-to-town connectivity, and advances completion of the Mountains to Sea Trail (MST). © MST-Alamance County to Seven Mile Creek Natural Area (Road route) A COLLABORATIVE APPROACH 4B MST-Alamance County to Seven Mile Implementing shared-use paths alongside Creek Natural Area (Nature trail) state-maintained roads will require a new, MST-Seven Mile Creek Natural Area collaborative partnership framework with O to Hillsborough Riverwalk (Nature NCDOT.While NCDOT regularly coordinates trail) on roadway improvements, sidepaths introduce additional considerations related Mebane to Hillsborough to right-of-way, design standards, safety, and 6A (Road route via US-70) access management. The Orange County Trails Plan identifies these needs early so proposed segments can advance through 6B Mebane to Kings Highway Park (Nature trail via Duke Energy coordinated feasibility and design. transmission easement) Lake Michael Park to Panther Branch Some corridors include both primary and alternate Natural Area alignment options. Primary routes reflect the (Road route via Lebanon Rd) most feasible and publicly supported concepts Cedar Grove Park to Kings Highway based on current conditions. Alternate routes offer O park(Nature Trail via Eno River) additional connectivity options—such as quieter nature-based alignments or different road-adjacent Little River Park to Cedar Grove Park pathways—that may become viable through future partnerships, easements, or development changes. (Nature trail via Northeast Park& Breeze Farm) Multiple segments of the network directly support completion of the MST, reflecting one of the Little River Park to Cedar Grove Park strongest community priorities that emerged throughout the planning process. (Road route via Northeast Park & Breeze Farm) The following pages describe each trail segment O MST- Eno River State Park to Durham in more detail including context, trail type, and (Nature trail) alignment considerations. 40 Draft Orange County Trails Plan 44 Draft Orange County Trails Plan J i. Pa* m` V,N HILLSBOROUGH^• • '�!..> '°"°' -0` tom •akkma. o' O _........ tnrv.A• � •s el: 1 m) {/ i9kwaY RMa Par Ero River � k �\ `� —�`.� \ 1.,]I `��i ..'• '.y a „�_� i/ �`_., w � ` o MAP LEGEND County Line _� // �� �° -y • Parks l 1© w iO Blow lock 0 O Highways — v � 0 Interstates r Streets Railroads l Streams cHAP Lakes Wetlands <. Public&Conserved Land 4� Towns/Cities 4 CARRsoR0 r Elementary Schools � Middle Schools dVe M High Schools f Colleges/Universities - C Existing Trail Segment — — Proposed Road Route Proposed Nature Trail See facing pages for segment- *The green shading represents publicly owned or conservation-managed lands included specific mileage and details. in the County's GIS datasets. Differences in shading are a result of mapping software complexities and do not represent any meaningful differences in the land. Draft Orange County Trails Plan 1 41 45 ED UNC Campus to University Station Segment 1 anticipates future conversion of a portion of the J Branch (Co-Gen) rail corridor into a separated shared-use path linking UNC/central Chapel Hill to the University Station area. PROJECT OVERVIEW Relevant Community Needs: Location Safer route between campus and transit that Along the J Branch rail corridor serving UNC's avoids high-speed roads cogeneration plant, extending from campus • Direct access to jobs, classes, healthcare, and toward University Station; endpoints to be refined services by the ongoing feasibility study and coordination • All-ages facility with frequent access points with the railroad near neighborhoods • Potential mixed use node at terminus near Old Key Connections NC 10 • UNC academic/medical areas • Greene Tract Required Structures&Crossings: • Blackwood Station • At-grade road crossings and upgraded signals • Brumley Forest Nature Preserve • Short bridges/culverts at existing drainage • University Station structures • Chapel Hill & Carrboro trail systems • Signed neighborhood spur connections to reduce trespass pressure on rail property Total Length —10.8 miles (planning length) Potential Constructability Challenges: • Railroad ownership/operations and clearances Trail Type Narrow bench and embankment sections • Rail-to-trail shared-use path (paved, separated) needing walls or fencing and potential rail Hydrology at low points; coordinating with • 10 ft typical width UNC and NCRR on access control ALIGNMENT WITH ORANGE COUNTY STRATEGIC PLAN Environmental Protection ✓ Supports mode shift by replacing short vehicle trips & Climate Action with a fully separated rail-trail corridor Promotes daily walking/rolling access between Healthy Community ✓ UNC, neighborhoods, and transit Housing for All Indirect Benefit Improves non-auto access between student housing, neighborhoods,jobs, and services Provides a high-value, low-stress route connecting Multi-modal Transportation ✓ UNC transit, greenways, and regional paths Public Education/ ✓ Links UNC campuses with community destinations Learning Community through a safe, predictable corridor Diverse &Vibrant Economy ✓ Strengthens access to activity centers and supports local spending by trail users 42 Draft Orange County Trails Plan 46 Kings Eno River • Highway State Park Park Riv rw Ik S eedwa Ito We . coral P r MST.y,� ♦y�' �• • "�•� ��e Occoneechee •'R Pn Mountain Cates 15 Creek Park 555y5 N S' O i�Ito 1 C sr.4�4N-ii-ty pBrumley } ° Forest • b Nature iPreserve a Blackwood � Duke Forest m Farm Park 86 pia o �y C Z wo Q g t� A r Hollow Rock r Nature Park L w S� Jones Creek Greenwa • Greene • Twin Creeks Tract y District Park 7 MAP LEGEND t (] County Line • Parks ® O Highways t} Interstates ® ® — Streets ® »» Railroads Streams LI Lakes Cogeneration Wetlands Plant Public&Conserved Land Towns/Cities J CARRBORO i& Elementary Schools 1. i& Middle Schools ® High Schools ® Colleges/Universities UNC Chapel — Existing Trail Segment Hill University — — Proposed Road Route Lake � �\ �� •• Proposed Nature Trail Draft Orange County Trails Plan 1 43 47 ED Chapel Hill to Hillsborough Segment 2 creates a separated sidepath along NC-86 and Waterstone Drive, linking Chapel Hill to the rail-trail corridor (Segment 1) and continuing north to tie into the Town of Hillsborough's existing greenway system. PROJECT OVERVIEW Relevant Community Needs: Location High-speed corridor alternative with protected Along NC-86 from the Chapel Hill area toward crossings Hillsborough, connecting into town via Waterstone • Reliable town-to-town route for daily trips Drive; exact endpoints to be confirmed through • Safe access to schools and parks without inter-agency coordination shoulder-walking Key Connections Required Structures&Crossings: • Cates Creek Park and Town of Hillsborough Enhanced crossings at Mt. Sinai, 1-40 ramps, greenways system and Waterstone Dr. • Blackwood Farm Park Median refuges/curb ramps where warranted • Schools, libraries, and community assets along Ditch/drainage adjustments at steeper the corridor segments • Links to local trail/greenway systems and regional routes Potential Constructability Challenges: • Space constraints along segments with Total Length ditches/slopes and many driveways —5 miles (planning length) • Sight distance at curves/creek bottoms • Utility relocations in tight sections Trail Type • Shared-use path (paved, separated) • 10 ft typical width ALIGNMENT WITH ORANGE COUNTY STRATEGIC PLAN Environmental Protection ✓ Enables car-free travel along a high-speed corridor & Climate Action with drainage considerations adjacent to streams Healthy Community Improves daily access to schools, parks, libraries, and town centers Housing for All Indirect Benefit Serves a mix of rural homes and higher-density neighborhoods near Waterstone Creates a continuous town-to-town connection Multi-modal Transportation ✓ where walking/rolling is currently unsafe Public Education/ ✓ Enhances access to nearby schools, libraries, and Learning Community learning destinations along NC-86 Diverse &Vibrant Economy ✓ Improves visibility and access to small businesses on both ends of the corridor 44 Draft Orange County Trails Plan 48 Panther Branch Natural Area °Rive Nat � MSS"� state Pam catal 4rp tad/ fro pat O i Kings Eno River • Highway 4 State Park Park Riv rw Ik S eedwa e .. eat iv J Seven ...... ���awraI Pt Mile �e Occoneechee Creek s "n Natural ; Mountain Area • Cates Creek Park d fll to70 f� p Brumley f ^^ ° Forest • 100 Nature u g Preserve e �Q Blackwood a� Duke Forest Farm Park �P af0 a ` � y �o 0 « R $ c, MAP LEGEND v 0 County Line • Parks O Highways Interstates i Jones Creek — Streets Greenway Railroads ✓ �' Streams J • Greene Lakes Twin Creeks Tract Wetlands District Park ; Public&Conserved Land t Towns/Cities ® Elementary Schools t& Middle Schools CHAPEL HIL 6 High Schools ® ® ® Colleges/Universities — Existing Trail Segment — — Proposed Road Route r UNC Proposed Nature Trail fnnanPratinn Draft Orange County Trails Plan 1 45 49 © Carrboro to Hillsborough Segment 3 establishes a separated sidepath on Old NC-86 to improve safety and route legibility between Carrboro and Hillsborough. PROJECT OVERVIEW Relevant Community Needs: Location Shoulder-limited corridor replacement with Along Old NC 86 from UNC Chapel Hill University consistent separation Lake, through the Carrboro greenways system • Comfortable link for rural residents into town north toward Hillsborough; exact endpoints to be services confirmed through inter-agency coordination • Lower-stress option than on-road riding/ walking Key Connections • UNC Chapel Hill University Lake Required Structures&Crossings: • Libba Cotten Bikeway and other Carrboro trails • At-grade road crossings with enhanced • Jones Creek Greenway/Bolin Creek Greenway treatments at major intersections • Cates Creek Park • Driveway tie-ins and drainage in ditch-lined • Hillsborough Riverwalk (existing segment) segments • Spot walls/guardrail offsets on steep side slopes Total Length -16 miles (planning length) Potential ConstructabilityChallenges: • Curvaceous roadway with limited roadside Trail Type space, creating a tight potential sidepath • Shared-use path (paved, separated) corridor • 10 ft typical width High driveway density, mailbox clusters, and access management • Rolling grades with sidepath cross-slope/ retaining needs in spots ALIGNMENT WITH ORANGE COUNTY STRATEGIC PLAN Environmental Protection ✓ Reduces reliance on vehicle trips along a narrow & Climate Action rural roadway with limited shoulders Provides consistent separation for walkers/cyclists Healthy Community ✓ where roadway conditions currently limit activity Housing for All Indirect Benefit Connects dispersed rural homes to Carrboro/ Hillsborough services without requiring a car Establishes a predictable, legible regional route for Multi-modal Transportation ✓ town-to-town connectivity Public Education/ ✓ Supports safer access to schools and libraries in Learning Community both towns Diverse &Vibrant Economy ✓ Links activity centers and supports local business visitation 46 Draft Orange County Trails Plan 50 HILLSBOR �� / J Kings 1 Eno River • �-1 aaseMe Highway "...... Park Riverwalk State Park . .. S eedwa )• even a�oraLP�e� r Mile �MST.S e�b� •, \ I Creek e�Pn�Je Cre Occoneechee Natural Mountain Area •� Cates „ Creek • ParkS • Ito !� • N \�l S w9 c , Brumley —t b ° Forest / • Nature ' 00 • �� i A Preserve da o Blackwood I F Duke F ? . I Farm Park `o ok �o c �o Q r ° ,©' Hollow Rock Nature Park Jones Creek Greenwa b • Greene Twin Creeks Tract MAP LEGEND District Park 0 County Line r • Parks O Highways t} Interstates CHAPEL HILL — Streets L »» Railroads Streams t Lakes UNC Wetlands Cogeneration Public&Conserved Land Plant Towns/Cities ® Elementary Schools t& Middle Schools ® High Schools ® Colleges/Universities — Existing Trail Segment UNC Chapel — — Proposed Road Route Hill University Proposed Nature Trail Lake � Draft Orange County Trails Plan 1 47 51 O MST - Alamance County to Seven Mile Creek Natural Area Segment 4A (alternate 1 of 2) provides a road route corridor for the Mountains to Sea Trail between Alamance County and Seven Mile Creek Natural Area, using separation where feasible. This segment and 4B merge from Buckhorn Road south, consistent with the adopted MST route. PROJECT OVERVIEW Relevant Community Needs: Location Continuous wayfinding for through-hikers and Along local roads between the Alamance and local users Orange County line and Seven Mile Creek Natural Safer shoulder-free segments Area, with some of the route off-road south of Daytime visibility improvements Buckhorn Road; alignment to be finalized with Reliable MST routing until nature alignment is NCDOT/County/MST partners secured Key Connections Required Structures&Crossings: • Alamance County/West MST entrance Driveway/ditch work on narrow two-lane roads • Rural residential clusters Enhanced crossings at county road nodes • Seven Mile Creek Natural Area Potential Constructability Challenges: Total Length Many rural owners who have varying comfort —16 miles (planning length) with roadside paths • Limited shade/exposure in farm stretches Trail Type• Shared-use path (paved, separated) or natural Narrow shoulders along some of the roads • surface trail (gravel/aggregate); TBD • 10 ft typical width; 3-4 ft width south of merge point ALIGNMENT WITH ORANGE COUNTY STRATEGIC PLAN Environmental Protection ✓ Uses existing roadways to minimize disturbance & Climate Action where off-road routes are constrained Offers steady, predictable access for MST users and Healthy Community ✓ rural residents Housing for All Indirect Benefit Provides a safe non-auto option in areas with limited amenities Maintains MST continuity across county lines via a Multi-modal Transportation ✓ legible roadside route Public Education/ ✓ Enhances access to local nature-based learning via Learning Community MST signage and links Diverse &Vibrant Economy ✓ Can direct MST users toward rural businesses and agritourism nodes 48 Draft Orange County Trails Plan � � • 52 : e Perry Hills ne Mini Park Efland Cheeks • tONj4sbor u ;• Community Park E Mebane to Kings N �0) 8 °aY Park(Nature tr v'a Duke En trap Kings • easem a Highway Park Ri Soccer.com Center 10 00 ,a to,Rive Seven ....... ^lateral P� Msr, a ¢� 0 Crelek �••t se�•n��ecre Occoneechee O Natural Mountain A I Area �e oaa�o � a Q :• A w ar �oa N� ,moo 0� • o oo ! a MAP LEGEND 0 County Line �. • Parks O Highways Canes Creek t} Interstates Reservoir — Streets »» Railroads Streams Fmg—Tra—.11. Lakes Start Wetlands Public&Conserved Land Towns/Cities ® Elementary Schools i& Middle Schools ® High Schools ® Colleges/Universities — Existing Trail Segment — — Proposed Road Route Proposed Nature Trail Draft Orange County Trails Plan 49 53 46 MST - Alamance County to Seven Mile Creek Natural Area Segment 4B (alternate 2 of 2) delivers a natural surface MST route from the Alamance County line to Seven Mile Creek Natural Area, focusing on quiet, waterway-adjacent landscapes where possible.This segment and 4A merge from Buckhorn Road south, consistent with the adopted MST route. PROJECT OVERVIEW Relevant Community Needs: Location Low-impact, nature-based MST experience From the Alamance and Orange County line to away from traffic Seven Mile Creek Natural Area via creek and Continuous wayfinding for through-hikers and stream corridors and large parcels; this route was local users adopted in 2018 as the official MST route through Access points that disperse parking/loading this area. near private lands Key Connections Required Structures&Crossings: • Alamance County/West MST entrance Multiple short boardwalks at wet areas • Seven Mile Creek Simple trailheads with trail rules • Large private holdings and parcels Potential Constructability Challenges: Total Length Large consolidated ownerships (fewer but —16 miles (planning length) deeper negotiations) • OWASA groundwater parcels nearby - no Trail Type trailheads on OWASA lands, need to use • Natural-surface trail (gravel/aggregate) adjacent properties • 8 ft typical width; 3-4 ft width south of merge Landowner concerns about the trail in some point portions of the segment ALIGNMENT WITH ORANGE COUNTY STRATEGIC PLAN Environmental Protection ✓ Follows creek and conservation corridors with & Climate Action low-impact tread and stewardship practices Provides restorative, quiet MST access away from Healthy Community ✓ major roads Housing for All Indirect Benefit Connects rural homes to conserved lands without requiring car travel Advances state-designated MST off-road continuity Multi-modal Transportation ✓ across the county Public Education/ ✓ Offers environmental learning opportunities Learning Community through access to diverse habitats Diverse &Vibrant Economy ✓ Attracts statewide trail users who support rural businesses and tourism 50 Draft Orange County Trails Plan � � • 54 : e Perry Hills ne Mini Park Efland Cheeks • tONj4sbor u ;• Community Park E Mebane to Kings N �0) 8 °aY Park(Nature tr v'a Duke En trap Kings • easem a Highway Park Ri Soccer.com Center 10 00 ,a to,Rive Seven ....... ^lateral P� Msr, a ¢� 0 Crelek �••t se�•n��ecre Occoneechee O Natural Mountain A I Area �e oaa�o � a Q :• A w ar �oa N� ,moo 0� • o oo ! a MAP LEGEND 0 County Line �. • Parks O Highways Canes Creek t} Interstates Reservoir — Streets »» Railroads Streams Fmg—Tra—.11. Lakes Start Wetlands Public&Conserved Land Towns/Cities ® Elementary Schools i& Middle Schools ® High Schools ® Colleges/Universities — Existing Trail Segment — — Proposed Road Route Proposed Nature Trail Draft Orange County Trails Plan 51 55 O MST - Seven Mile Creels Natural Area to Hillsborough Riverwalk Segment 5 creates a natural-surface trail linking Seven Mile Creek Natural Area through the Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area, into the Hillsborough Riverwalk trail system. PROJECT OVERVIEW Relevant Community Needs: Location Quiet approach to town for walkers, runners, From Seven Mile Creek Natural Area east toward and MST users alike Riverwalk/Gold Park, following creek corridors and Alternative to roadway travel into downtown conserved landscapes destinations Key Connections Required Structures&Crossings: • Hillsborough Riverwalk Multiple elevated crossings/boardwalks at • Gold Park flood-prone spots • Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area Wayfinding, rules, and stewardship signage at • Downtown destinations access points • Nearby neighborhoods and open spaces Potential Constructability Challenges: Total Length Sensitive, thoughtful floodplain trail design —3 miles (planning length) Adjacent private lands needing early coordination for access/privacy buffers Trail Type Limited parking capacity at some natural areas • Natural-surface trail (gravel/aggregate) • 8 ft typical width ALIGNMENT WITH ORANGE COUNTY STRATEGIC PLAN Environmental Protection ✓ Uses a floodplain-appropriate nature trail design & Climate Action with raised tread where needed Enables quiet, nature-based access directly into Healthy Community ✓ Hillsborough's greenway system Housing for All Indirect Benefit Serves nearby rural homes with a non-auto option into town amenities Extends off-road connections into Hillsborough Multi-modal Transportation ✓ Riverwalk and downtown Public Education/ ✓ Supports environmental learning via creek-adjacent Learning Community habitat access Diverse &Vibrant Economy ✓ Draws visitors and residents into downtown Hillsborough and local businesses 52 Draft Orange County Trails Plan 56 ay ^o� u Confluence Future North st Natural Area ea District Park Panther t ra Branch nt IAre (Roadroutevia ba on C Natural Area Perry Hills Mini Park Efland Cheeks , • Community Park M a,Park(Nato re trail vi •••.a Duke En _ "'• ..•• a Kings I -—- e_..ra: Highway Park ®• S eedwa r Soccer.com Center • 1e .. 0t iveC+• - n Seven ......ti .;�acural Pin Mile Msr.rer:..�e Creek an Occoneechee Natural Mountain Area Cates Creek 0 oft % Park Q ■ i •O III to S I e MAP LEGEND 2 •'` w 0 County Line • Parks u o°moo �,,•�a°� c Blackwoo O Highways co ;ee m Farm Par t} Interstates Streets Railroads Streams o' P Lakes Wetlands . a Public&Conserved Land ./; S Towns/Cities ® Elementary Schools n Middle Schools e High Schools ® Colleges/Universities • — Existing Trail Segment Jones Creek Greenwa ' ' Proposed Road Route \ Proposed Nature Trail n 1 Draft Orange County Trails Plan 53 57 CT Mebane to Hillsborough Segment 6A (alternate 1 of 3) establishes a separated sidepath along portions of US-70 to connect Mebane and Hillsborough with a consistent corridor. This segment is envisioned to tie into the Mebane sidewalks system along US-70 (East Center Street). PROJECT OVERVIEW Relevant Community Needs: Location Reliable city-to-town connectivity Along US-70 from Mebane east toward Safer mobility beside a high-speed roadway Hillsborough, tying into West Hill Ave / Frequent, visible crossings to reach jobs, Occoneechee Mountain and Riverwalk; exact schools, services alignment and endpoints to be confirmed through inter-agency and NCDOT coordination Required Structures&Crossings: • At-grade crossings with enhanced treatments Key Connections at major intersections • City of Mebane and Town of Hillsborough Median refuges/curb ramps where warranted • Perry Hills Mini Park Drainage and ditch modifications to maintain • Efland Cheeks Community Park separation and accessibility • Hillsborough Riverwalk • Schools and commercial areas along US-70 Potential Constructability Challenges: • NCDOT coordination for sidepath within/ Total Length adjacent to US-70 right-of-way —9 miles (planning length) Long distances between safe crossings • Space constraints due to utilities, slopes, and Trail Type driveway frequency • Shared-use path (paved, separated) or natural Coordination with the Town of Hillsborough on surface trail (gravel/aggregate); TBD internal connections to Riverwalk via roads and • 10 ft typical width sidewalks ALIGNMENT WITH ORANGE COUNTY STRATEGIC PLAN Environmental Protection ✓ Shifts short highway trips to a separated sidepath & Climate Action on US-70 Supports daily walking/rolling along a high-visibility Healthy Community ✓ corridor Housing for All Indirect Benefit Provides access from neighborhoods to jobs, schools, and parks Delivers a major city-to-town connection with safer Multi-modal Transportation ✓ intersection treatments Public Education/ ✓ Improves non-auto access to schools and library Learning Community destinations Diverse &Vibrant Economy ✓ Links Mebane/Hillsborough points of interest and supports local spending, potentially in two counties 54 Draft Orange County Trails Plan 58 ;J ay PA(NatureTra ' = Breeze "oo Farm Y { A . L VW Confluence Natural Area • i P Panther t ran c Branch Lake u I Are (Road route via On O Natural Michael Area Park ye Perry Hills aye Mini Park Efland Cheeks tot*11sbor u 0, r o t Community Park . : to vl U E Mebane to Kings Hi �!�- •gyp) gh aY�Pa'*(Natli via — ^�trail v wne .....tr`. Kings a^smission ease menu Highway ' ---- Park Soccer.com Center r, w • �e • at WaC+ i aural Seven ... . a MST"; .�•. �, Mile Creek on \\e Occoneechee Natural Mountain Area roue ; MAP LEGEND T 0 County Line • Parks O Highways t} Interstates V • — Streets e Railroads QStreams `° • `° Lakes • a `c.° • yea Wetlands a° • Public&Conserved Land Towns/Cities ° ® Elementary Schools & Middle Schools c�a ® High Schools a ® Colleges/Universities — Existing Trail Segment — — Proposed Road Route l r Proposed Nature Trail Draft Orange County Trails Plan 1 55 59 [§JMebane to Kings Highway Park Segment 6B (alternate 2 of 3) delivers a natural-surface trail within/adjacent to the Duke Energy transmission easement, creating a quiet access between Mebane to Kings Highway Park. PROJECT OVERVIEW Relevant Community Needs: Location Quiet, low-impact off-road option parallel to From Mebane toward the Town of Hillsborough's road network Kings Highway Park, along a Duke Energy • Recreation facility access without a car transmission corridor and through wooded areas • Predictable routing through a long, continuous and open utility clearings adjacent to residential utility corridor spaces; exact alignment and endpoints to be confirmed through inter-agency and utility partner Required Structures&Crossings: coordination Localized boardwalks or elevated tread in low, wet areas (e.g., crossing at the Eno River) Key Connections • Sightline management and vegetation clearing • Residential areas in the City of Mebane within the utility corridor • Kings Highway Park • Wayfinding at access points and transitions into residential areas Total Length -8 miles (planning length) Potential Constructability Challenges: • Transmission clear-zone requirements and Trail Type potential need for switchbacks • Natural-surface trail (gravel/aggregate) • Privacy considerations near adjacent homes • 8 ft typical width where the corridor narrows • Coordination with Duke Energy and approval on potential use of transmission line corridor • Compliance with utility owner conditions ALIGNMENT WITH ORANGE COUNTY STRATEGIC PLAN Environmental Protection ✓ Reuses a utility corridor to reduce new land & Climate Action disturbance Provides quiet, restorative, off-road access to Kings Healthy Community ✓ Highway Park Housing for All Indirect Benefit Serves nearby neighborhoods with a low-impact nature route Offers an off-road alternative parallel to regional Multi-modal Transportation ✓ roadways Public Education/ ✓ Supports informal learning through access to Learning Community natural areas Diverse &Vibrant Economy ✓ Encourages park visitation and local recreation- based spending S6 Draft Orange County Trails Plan 60 ;J ay PA(NatureTra ' = Breeze "oo Farm Y { A . L VW Confluence Natural Area • i P Panther t ran c Branch Lake u I Are (Road route via On O Natural Michael Area Park ye Perry Hills aye Mini Park Efland Cheeks tot*11sbor u 0, r o t Community Park . : to vl U E Mebane to Kings Hi �!�- •gyp) gh aY�Pa'*(Natli via — ^�trail v wne .....tr`. Kings a^smission ease menu Highway ' ---- Park Soccer.com Center r, w • �e • at WaC+ i aural Seven ... . a MST"; .�•. �, Mile Creek on \\e Occoneechee Natural Mountain Area roue ; MAP LEGEND T 0 County Line • Parks O Highways t} Interstates V • — Streets e Railroads QStreams `° • `° Lakes • a `c.° • yea Wetlands a° • Public&Conserved Land Towns/Cities ° ® Elementary Schools & Middle Schools c�a ® High Schools a ® Colleges/Universities — Existing Trail Segment — — Proposed Road Route l r Proposed Nature Trail Draft Orange County Trails Plan 1 57 61 m Lake Michael Park to Panther Branch Natural Area Segment 6C (alternate 3 of 3) provides a separated sidepath along Lebanon Road, linking Lake Michael Park with the Eno River Association's Panther Branch Natural Area and nearby neighborhoods. PROJECT OVERVIEW Relevant Community Needs: Location • Safer, low-stress park-to-preserve access Along Lebanon Rd between Lake Michael Park and • Non-auto connections for nearby residents Panther Branch Nature Preserve; exact endpoints • Legible route on a corridor with limited to be confirmed through inter-agency coordination shoulders and roadside constraints Key Connections Required Structures&Crossings: • Lake Michael Park Enhanced at-grade crossings at key • Panther Branch Natural Area intersections • Residential neighborhoods along Lebanon Rd Culvert extensions and ditch regrading to maintain separation Total Length Drainage improvements along roadside —6 miles (planning length) Potential ConstructabilityChallenges: Trail Type NCDOT coordination adjacent to Lebanon Rd • Space constraints created by utilities, slopes, • Shared-use path (paved, separated) and driveway density • 10 ft typical width Drainage and floodplain considerations near • small streams • Coordination with the City of Mebane on west terminus at Lake Michael ALIGNMENT WITH ORANGE COUNTY STRATEGIC PLAN Environmental Protection ✓ Reduces short car trips and encourages non-auto & Climate Action travel to parks and preserves Offers a family-friendly sidepath linking two key Healthy Community ✓ recreation spaces Housing for All Indirect Benefit Expands access for residents along Lebanon Road to recreation and nature Multi-modal Transportation ✓ Provides predictable, separated travel where shoulders are narrow Public Education/ ✓ Supports outdoor learning at both Lake Michael Learning Community and Panther Branch Diverse &Vibrant Economy ✓ Strengthens recreation visitation that benefits local businesses 58 Draft Orange County Trails Plan 62 ;J ay PA(NatureTra ' = Breeze "oo Farm \ Y { A . L VW Confluence Natural Area • i P Panther t ran c Branch Lake u I Are (Road route via On O Natural Michael Area Park ye Perry Hills aye Mini Park Efland Cheeks tot*11sbor u 0, r o t Community Park . : to vl U E Mebane to Kings Hi �!�- •gyp) gh aY�Pa'*(Natli via — ^�trail v wne .....tr`. Kings a^smission ease menu Highway ' ---- Park Soccer.com Center r, w • �e • at WaC+ i aural Seven ... . a MST"; .�•. �, Mile Creek on \\e Occoneechee Natural Mountain Area roue ; MAP LEGEND T 0 County Line • Parks O Highways t} Interstates V • — Streets e Railroads QStreams `° • `° Lakes • a `c.° • yea Wetlands a° • Public&Conserved Land Towns/Cities ° ® Elementary Schools & Middle Schools c�a ® High Schools a ® Colleges/Universities — Existing Trail Segment — — Proposed Road Route l r Proposed Nature Trail Draft Orange County Trails Plan 1 59 63 O Cedar Grove Park to Kings Highway Park Segment 7 creates a natural-surface trail linking Cedar Grove Park to Kings Highway Park, following a mix of roadway and stream corridors near the Eno River to provide a quiet, natural connection between parks. PROJECT OVERVIEW Relevant Community Needs: Location • Access to parks for residents near Cedar Grove From Cedar Grove Park west,then south toward and eastern Cheeks Township Kings Highway Park, using waterways and wooded • Off-road option where roadway expansion is corridors near the West Fork Eno River and not feasible roadways near Cedar Grove Park; exact end points • Shaded, restorative trail experience near the to be confirmed during design West Fork of the Eno Reservoir Key Connections Required Structures&Crossings: • Cedar Grove Park Boardwalks/elevated tread near wet areas or • Kings Highway Park tributaries and reservoir • West Fork of the Eno Reservoir Drainage improvements and sustainable slopes • Confluence of the Eno Nature Preserve in forested areas • Panther Branch Natural Area Wayfinding to guide users between facilities • Duke Forest Rural neighborhoods along the corridor Potential ConstructabilityGhallenges: • Waterway sensitivity and potential permitting Total Length Limited parking capacity, especially at Kings —13 miles (planning length) Highway Park and reservoir • Multi-parcel easement needs across properties Trail Type Coordination with Duke Forest, Eno River • Natural-surface trail (gravel/aggregate) Association, and Town of Hillsborough on • 8 ft typical width access and connections ALIGNMENT WITH ORANGE COUNTY STRATEGIC PLAN Environmental Protection ✓ Follows wooded corridors near streams with & Climate Action low-impact tread Connects two park anchors with a shaded, Healthy Community ✓ restorative trail Housing for All Indirect Benefit Improves access for rural residents to nearby recreation facilities Offers an off-road option where roadway expansion Multi-modal Transportation ✓ is limited Public Education/ ✓ Enables nature-based learning and park Learning Community programming access Diverse &Vibrant Economy ✓ Supports visitation to park facilities and community spaces near Cedar Grove Park 60 Draft Orange County Trails Plan 64 Cedar Grove Park o ive °ark to�e (NatureTra� .P Y c Breeze �o a, Farm �a� ktoc Y a. `eft a Goo ( atu e Y . o^off v Confluence Natural Area Ni Dis J P t Panther rant Branch IAre (Road route via ba o. O Natural 0 Area Perry Hills let o Mini Park Efland Cheeks `II/sbor u • ,, Community Park ,....,. to Kings Hig♦K,a P.. '�o) MAP LEGEND Y ark(Nature _ t�aiiviaUake 0 County Line Energyt::n Kings • Parks ease... Highway �� Park Riv rw Ik O Highways Soccer.com t} Interstates Center �° • r+''ie — Streets ive t Seven ...... • rural P`j� »» Railroads . ti �.�a v Mile �•MST.yP`;.y`e Occoneechee Streams Creek "n Mountain Lakes Natural Area ® Wetlands arpOte Public&Conserved Land % Towns/Cities a Q ® Elementary Schools 3 i& Middle Schools ® High Schools d e Colleges/Universities — Existing Trail Segment �Q`•a � — — Proposed Road Route .� •mil° i Proposed Nature Trail Draft Orange County Trails Plan 61 65 Little River Park to Cedar Grove Park Segment 8A (alternate 1 of 2) creates a nature trail connecting Little River Regional Park and Natural Area to Cedar Grove Park, linking two key recreation anchors in northern Orange County. PROJECT OVERVIEW Relevant Community Needs: Location • Nature-based access between two parks From Little River Regional Park and Natural • Conservation-aligned routing where paved Area south/southeast toward Cedar Grove Park, options are inappropriate generally following wooded corridors, existing • Reliable off-road alternative to rural road travel conservation lands, and connections near the County's future Northeast District Park and the Required Structures&Crossings: WC Breeze Farm Incubator; exact end points to be Boardwalks/elevated tread at wet/stream areas confirmed during design Sustainable grades in hilly or wooded sections • Wayfinding through forested/open-space Key Connections transitions • Little River Regional Park and Natural Area Potential Constructability Challenges: • Cedar Grove Park • Strict conservation easements at Little River; • Breeze Farm and nearby rural neighborhoods limited room for expansion or paved facilities • Future Northeast District Park • Park isolation, requiring careful access planning and trailhead placement Total Length Multiple rural parcel negotiations and creek �14 miles (planning length) area permitting needs Trail Type • Natural-surface trail (gravel/aggregate) • 8 ft typical width ALIGNMENT WITH ORANGE COUNTY STRATEGIC PLAN Environmental Protection ✓ Respects strict conservation easements and & Climate Action sensitive creek corridors Provides a peaceful, off-road link between two Healthy Community ✓ recreation anchors Housing for All Indirect Benefit Expands access for rural homes lacking nearby parks and recreation facilities Offers a nature-based alternative to longer roadside Multi-modal Transportation ✓ travel Public Education/ ✓ Connects users to varied forest and wetland Learning Community habitats Diverse &Vibrant Economy ✓ Supports local recreation-driven visitation to nearby community spaces 62 Draft Orange County Trails Plan 66 Ir Cedar Grove Park � L;rri o ive A„ Dark to ce Little a� River Breeze Regional Po Park J Farm �r k to � ` e` C a Goo o a�kf atu P. D ® a ' 't'o ay Future ice Northeast rea District Park MAP LEGEND 0 County Line • Parks Panther Branch O Highways Natural Interstates Area Streets Railroads Streams Lakes �• R�ve��, kNatyr Wetlands MS rate Pam `Oa0 er�dl �roo°` O Public&Conserved Land Towns/Cities gs Way - Eno River r Elementary Schools Riverwalk State Park rk ( t Middle Schools S eedwa Rf ii High Schools 01Ve�� r,1 ' • Colleges/Universities eato . oral Pt IF — Existing Trail Segment sr.s `\e Occoneechee — — Proposed Road Route an Mountain Proposed Nature Trail Draft Orange County Trails Plan 1 63 67 m Little River Park to Cedar Grove Park Segment 8B (alternate 2 of 2) establishes a sidepath along existing roads between Little River Regional Park and Natural Area and Cedar Grove Park, offering connectivity where conservation limits off-road trails. PROJECT OVERVIEW Relevant Community Needs: Location • Predictable,year-round travel route Along roadway corridors linking Little River • Safer walking/rolling conditions along narrow Regional Park and Cedar Grove Park, routed near rural roads Northeast Park and Breeze Farm; exact end points • Access to parks and community destinations to be confirmed during design especially near Cedar Grove Park Key Connections Required Structures&Crossings: • Little River Regional Park and Natural Area At-grade crossings at key intersections with • Cedar Grove Park enhanced safety treatments • Breeze Farm and nearby rural neighborhoods Driveway/ditch modifications to maintain • Future Northeast District Park separation • Drainage improvements along roadside swales Total Length Potential Constructability Challenges: —14 miles (planning length) • Nature trail (Segment 8A) preference—which emerged through engagement—despite Trail Type constraints near areas like Confluence of the Eno • 10 ft typical width • • Shared-use path (natural surface, separated) Variable roadside conditions• Privacy considerations in rural residential segments • Likely to take many years to secure the needed trail corridor ALIGNMENT WITH ORANGE COUNTY STRATEGIC PLAN Environmental Protection ✓ Uses existing roads where off-road routes face & Climate Action conservation limits Expands predictable, year-round access to parks Healthy Community ✓ and community destinations Housing for All Indirect Benefit Connects rural neighborhoods with local facilities without requiring a car Provides safer travel along narrow roads with Multi-modal Transportation ✓ limited shoulders Public Education/ ✓ Links to future Northeast District Park for learning Learning Community and recreation Diverse &Vibrant Economy ✓ Enhances access to local farms, venues, and community destinations 64 Draft Orange County Trails Plan 68 Ir Cedar Grove Park � L;rri o ive A„ Dark to ce Little a� River Breeze Regional Po Park J Farm �r k to � ` e` C a Goo o a�kf atu P. D ® a ' 't'o ay Future ice Northeast rea District Park MAP LEGEND 0 County Line • Parks Panther Branch O Highways Natural Interstates Area Streets Railroads Streams Lakes �• R�ve��, kNatyr Wetlands MS rate Pam `Oa0 er�dl �roo°` O Public&Conserved Land Towns/Cities gs Way - Eno River r Elementary Schools Riverwalk State Park rk ( t Middle Schools S eedwa Rf ii High Schools 01Ve�� r,1 ' • Colleges/Universities eato . oral Pt IF — Existing Trail Segment sr.s `\e Occoneechee — — Proposed Road Route an Mountain Proposed Nature Trail Draft Orange County Trails Plan 1 65 69 O MST - Eno River State Park to Durham Segment 9 extends the Mountains to Sea Trail east from new sections of Eno River State Park near Occoneechee Speedway toward Durham on a natural-surface alignment, using creek corridors and utility easements where feasible. PROJECT OVERVIEW Relevant Community Needs: Location • Quiet MST experience away from roadways From existing trails near Occoneechee Speedway Reliable off-road connection to Durham County east/northeast toward the Durham line, using creek Clear wayfinding at dispersed access points alignments and feasible utility easements through Eno River State Park to create a continuous MST Required Structures&Crossings: approach; exact alignment and endpoints to be Short boardwalks/elevated tread at flood-prone confirmed through inter-agency coordination sections • Safety and wayfinding signage at trailheads Key Connections Vegetation management along utility corridors • Eno River State Park trailheads (Pleasant Green, Potential Constructability Challenges: Fews Ford) • Switchback needs on transmission corridor slopes • Trails connecting to Hillsborough Riverwalk • Flood-prone segments requiring careful design • Rural neighborhoods • Limited facilities at some trailheads • Durham County MST system Privacy buffers near Pleasant Green residences Total Length • Pleasant Green Road bridge replacement —12 miles (planning length) NOTE: This trail will be located almost exclusively within Eno River State Park. NC State Parks and Trail Type the Eno River Association will serve as lead entities • Natural-surface trail (gravel/aggregate) for design and construction, with coordination and • 3-5 ft typical width support from Friends of the MST. ALIGNMENT WITH ORANGE COUNTY STRATEGIC PLAN Environmental Protection ✓ Reuses creek corridors and utility easements for & Climate Action low-impact MST routing Delivers a quiet, scenic MST experience for hikers, Healthy Community ✓ walkers, and runners Housing for All Indirect Benefit Offers rural neighborhoods access to nature and nearby trailheads Extends MST across county lines, tying into regional Multi-modal Transportation ✓ trail planning Public Education/ ✓ Supports environmental education via state-park Learning Community trailheads at Pleasant Green and Fews Ford Diverse &Vibrant Economy ✓ Draws users from within and beyond Orange County who support recreation, parks, and local destinations 66 Draft Orange County Trails Plan 70 ay Future Northeast District Park PP o Rive Nat Mst 'Prate Par bo uretra� I Eno River • S eedwa State Park ,to mural Pt 1 Occoneechee r Mountain Cates Creek Park ■ m 0 ill to G N B+' S MAP LEGEND A Brumley t »« 0 County Line ° Forest • • Parks v Nature zg Preserve �� O Highways c Blackwood ay� Duke Forest C3 Interstates �m Farm Park ,n°• v`a `�' — Streets Railroads Streams do Lakes O iN� Wetlands y �o o Public&Conserved Land Q Towns/Cities ® Elementary Schools ® Middle Schools '© Hollow Rock ® High Schools Nature Park ® Colleges/Universities ' — Existing Trail Segment ' Jones Creek ♦ — — Proposed Road Route Greenway I Proposed Nature Trail Draft Orange County Trails Plan 1 67 71 Trail Segment Prioritization Prioritizing of • their considerations • r -r to create a alternates, where applicable) • Orange County transparent, repeatable prioritized • der. turn a long wish list into a realistic, buildable .••-r or -• phase for • - • Prioritization directs receive new information -.g., feasibility updates, time • resources to the segments that deliver new public r rawards), the same the most •, by • •. r •r can be to update the ranking so strengtheningMST links), • • to existing •- • and the public can see how communitydestinations, and advancing projects order evolves. Additional • r about that are most r - to design and fund. • process is avail. r - in Appendix data-driven ranking also builds trust as it allows communitythe • see howr • tti How Priorities Were Set The team combined professional research and analysis with community input to rank trail segments in a way that reflects what residents value and what can be delivered. Prioritization followed a four step process: 0JL ANALYST SCORING Each segment was scored against five criteria on a scale from 1-5. • Local Need: Improves access for residents with the fewest existing options • Cost Efficiency: Value relative to planning-level cost • Connectivity to Existing Places: Links to parks, trails, schools, libraries, transit, etc. • Alignment with Guiding Principles: Safety, access & equity, wellness, local character, longevity, travel options • Level of Community Support: Strength of support or concern observed during engagement 02 PUBLIC INPUT The community reacted to the draft order of priority (based on analyst scores) in two formats. • Dot Voting: Participants indicated whether each segment should move up (green dot), stay (blue dot), or move down (red dot) in the priority list. • Online Survey Ranking: Every respondent ranked all segments from highest to lowest priority. 03 COMPARISON Because the three inputs used different scales, scores were normalized to a common 0-100 scale then weighted by depth and completeness of the data so no single source dominated. • Online Survey Rankings: 50% (most complete dataset; everyone ranked every segment) • Dot Voting: 30% (strong qualitative signal from engaged participants) • Initial Analyst Score: 20%(keeps feasibility and principles in view without overpowering community input) 04 COMBINED PRIORITIZATION SCORE The weighted values were summed to create one Combined Prioritization Score per segment. That score was used to produce the final sequence for design and funding, detailed on page 69. 68 Draft Orange County Trails Plan 72 The list on the left represents the Combined Prioritization Score for all proposed trail Priority Order of Segments segments. Please note that while there were no ties in O MST- Eno River State Park to Durham the scores as of March 2026, o (Nature trail) any tied scores in the future a should be broken first by a OChapel Hill to Hillsborough (Road route via higher local need, then by 2 NC 86 & Waterstone Dr to Cates Creel< Parl<) connectivity, and finally by cost efficiency. OMST-Seven Mile Creek Natural Area to Hillsborough Riverwalk (Nature trail) 4B MST-Alamance County to Seven Mile Creek Natural Area (Nature trail) OUNC Campus to University Station . : •• -• . - (Rail to Trail via NCRR CoGen Line) - •.•- - .- •• ElCarrboro to Hillsborough (Road route via Old NC 86) • • OCedar Grove Park to Kings Highway Park . . . -• . • (Nature Trail via Eno River) • •. . . • - 6B Mebane to Kings Highway Park* (Nature • . . - trail via Dul<e Energy transmission easement) . . • - .- 6A Mebane to Hillsborough (Road route via US- •. . -• . . • 70 to West Hill Ave/Occoneechee Mtn) OMST-Alamance County to Seven Mile Creek . - - . • Natural Area (Road route) © Little River Park to Cedar Grove Park (Nature trail via Northeast Parl< & Breeze Farm) Lake Michael Park to Panther Branch a Natural Area (Road route via Lebanon Rd) N 3 U Little River Park to Cedar Grove Park J (Road route via Northeast Park & Breeze Farm) A, ONWR_'V�WANIM 'A4,9Q IM V' tAW." IN 1% vMk Q ';Sk 18 i7 F'r 4 x m • Ll 14, •M. Ag "7 , Y, A0 Wx' AT C V N 'Y V Imp eim!enta On , 4 �;� A vision for trail connectivity in OrA_n; ge County can only become,reality if there is a practical path forward. Implementation bridges ideA with construction by first identifying partnerships and resources, then detailing the steps required to bring trail projects to life while maintaining coordination across jurisdictions and agencies. This section outliries how Orange County can-advance the,Tra' ils Plan t asjA �' i -hroAgh pl!� collaboration, and funding strategies. Of r 11 — LI.:"7 It offe i coordinated action so the County can-,-- '01 d netted trail-network over time. A- *-7= 44, 711FIR iZ 4 70-- Draft Orange County Trails Plan �9.'_r '�. ,.i�.:+s.l•"4'^ �.�� r�'• "i./8..a� t R r.�f 3, ..� i ram`" v�- .� +' Y .. jr •e _ fya a � _L ..,7� .-7 � 'P��• ;.. •t• Yam, r r �:� - - O+ �. " V IF IA I 016 Av :ram 4 "` . • , _ ' ,.•fir 'a. _ r r f _ .` � � `� � ,+ i. #. � a I d r 4^ •� j• ,' .fix I v y • `' � _ - _�lh �, - - E`er ! \\ � •�, ._ .• 'f�_ �YY Iv 410 R 11 T Y. r �..�• r •. • Pictured:Historic e hee Speedway Trail- fr Orange County Traits Plan 71 �r - _ _ .�• .. ,� a �. 75 Project Phasing Building a connected county trail network requires a phased approach that balances readiness,funding opportunities, and community impact. Since each corridor will require more detailed feasibility and funding coordination, the timeline for implementation may be extended. The framework described below provides a practical roadmap for advancing Orange County Trails Plan projects over time and reflects best practices from statewide and regional trail initiatives in North Carolina.9,10 Orange County's trail network can advance through three phases: near-term (1-5 years), mid-term (5-10 years), and long-term (10 years or more). These categories recognize that some segments can progress quickly through existing partnerships, partial connections, and data, while others require additional coordination, environmental review, and/or substantial landowner outreach. PHASE 1 PHASE 2 Near-Term Opportunities(1-5 years) Mid-Term Opportunities(5-10 years) In the early years, Orange County can focus on Once early studies are complete and partnerships the projects that are most feasible in the short are in place, Orange County can begin advancing term due to existing partner relationships, simpler and delivering more complex trail projects. State design needs, or strong community support. Phase and regional plans often use this middle window to 1 is also an opportunity to secure state and federal deliver long connections, town-to-town segments, funding and build capacity for implementation.10,11 and projects involving multiple agencies or jurisdictions.' The following activities are well-suited for Phase 1, especially for establishing consistent project The following work may be included in Phase 2. By delivery in future years: the end of this phase,the County and community Completing feasibility studies for the highest can expect to see meaningful improvements to • ranked segments on page 6911 connectivity and enhanced daily use. • Proceeding with full design and engineering • Initiating environmental studies, emergency for segments with established access or clear access opportunities, and preliminary right-of feasibility way/easement conversations Strengthening coordination with key partners Beginning construction of longer or • more complex trail corridors that require (municipalities, NCDOT, OWASA,Triangle coordination with multiple landowners or Land Conservancy, NC State Parks, Eno River Association, Duke Forest, Friends of the MST) utility providers Beginning interdepartmental coordination with Pursuing easements or land acquisition along • DEAPR, Planning, and the County Attorney's waterways and proposed links in MST routes Office on future processes for accepting and Implementing segments that tie directly into maintaining trail dedications associated with roadway projects, utility upgrades, or regional development approvals transportation efforts • Submitting applications to state and federal Building signature segments that anchor the funding programs listed on page 76 evolving county network • Constructing shorter, lower-complexity trail segments where design is straightforward • Enhancing existing facilities with wayfinding, signage, and small scale safety improvements 72 Draft Orange County Trails Plan First 12 Months: • • • - • - - •- Recommended Actions ' - �- • To build early momentum, Orange County • •• •••' • can begin with the following focused action • - items that lay the groundwork for design, coordination, and funding across the priority • • • • trail segments: Confirm segment alignments for all •_ • Phase 1 corridors and create design standards through inter-agency • coordination and with the BOCC. _� • •�� � • _ Update planning-level cost estimates after any necessary network adjustments (based on feedback). _ •_ " '� Launch feasibility studies for the _ • • •_ top-ranked Phase 1 trail segments." Initiate early landowner outreach _ _• _ _ _•_ •_ • along feasible nature trail and MST _ " •�" • connections. • • • ' • Convene quarterly coordination • • _• meetings with towns and key partners. '" '" "' • Prepare grant materials for competitive ` '• • • ' • programs. io • Align trail timing with roadway resurfacing, utility work, and park expansion projects. 11 Begin developing an operations and J PF � �• maintenance (O&M) approach for new e ° + + ° , � ► �, � �`Al . , trail segments. SOURCES 9 NC State Parks - Planning ; •' a �� _�� 10 North Carolina Trails Program - Annual " €< � • �r Report 2024 11 NCDOT- Multimodal Planning & Studies 77 Project Phasing (cont.) The table below shows how each proposed segment fits into the near-, mid-, and long-term phases. Recommended Rationale a Phase 1 UNC Campus to University Station Rail permissions, crossings, Phase 2 and UNC energy decisions (Rail to Trail via NCRR CoGen Line) increase complexity Chapel Hill to Hillsborough (CoGen to Cates Major road corridor needs 2 Creek Park via NC 86 &Waterstone Dr) Phase 2 coordinated design Carrboro to Hillsborough Many driveways and narrow 3 (Road route via Old NC 86) Phase 2 roadway edges to resolve MST-Alamance County to Seven Mile Creek Road-based MST requires 4A Natural Area (Road route) Phase 1 multi-party coordination MST-Alamance County to Seven Mile Creek Adopted MST route; 4B Natural Area (Nature trail) Phase 2* feasible early segment MST-Seven Mile Creek Natural Area to Strong community support 5 Hillsborough Riverwalk (Nature trail) Phase 1 and clear connection Mebane to Hillsborough (Road route via US- High-speed roadway that 6A 70 to West Hill Ave/Occoneechee Mtn) Phase 2 needs safety upgrades 6B Mebane to Kings Highway Park(Nature trail Phase 3 Utility corridor constraints via Duke Energy transmission easement) require longer timeline 6C Lake Michael Park to Panther Branch Phase 2 Straightforward roadside Natural Area (Road route via Lebanon Rd) improvements expected Cedar Grove Park to Kings Highway Park Park-to-park link with 7 (Nature Trail via Eno River) Phase 2 moderate constraints Little River Park to Cedar Grove Park Conservation limits delay 8A (Nature trail via Northeast Park& Breeze Farm) Phase 3 near- or mid-term work Little River Park to Cedar Grove Park Feasible road route with 8B (Road route via Northeast Park& Breeze Farm) Phase 2 manageable challenges 9 MST- Eno River State Park to Durham Phase 1 High priority MST (Nature trail) connection opportunity *The portion of Segment 4B south of Buckhorn Road,where it merges with 74 Craft Orange County Trails Plan Segment 4A,will advance in Phase 1 due to ongoing MST development efforts. 78 Partnerships With a phased roadmap in place,the next step is understanding who can help advance projects and how they can be funded. The most effective trail systems are built through coordinated efforts between counties, municipalities, state agencies, regional conservancies, and utility partners—each contributing distinct capabilities, relationships, and resources.9,11 In Orange County, partnerships support land access, stewardship, inter-agency coordination, and competitive funding while helping new trails integrate with parl<s, roadways, water resources, and conservation priorities across jurisdictional boundaries. The following partners will play I<ey roles in delivering both near-term and long-term segments in the Orange County Trails Plan. COUNTY LEADERSHIP NC State Parks/NC Trails Program: Provides • Orange County DEAPR: Provides project guidance for natural-surface trails, MST management, stewardship of county resources, routing, and state-level technical,funding, and coordination with other departments, and implementation support.9,10 operations and maintenance oversight. NCDOT: Offers technical support, corridor • Other County Departments: Transportation, planning, multi-modal guidance, and Planning, and the County Attorney's Office coordinates shared-use path feasibility within support development-related reviews and roadway rights-of-way.11 Discussions will be coordination. critical for coordinating potential road routes. • Orange County Sheriffs Office and REGIONAL&CONSERVATION PARTNERS Emergency Services: Support safety planning Triangle Land Conservancy(TLC):Coordinates for crossings, access points, and emergency access and alignment near conservation lands response considerations along trails. and supports nature-based trail stewardship. MUNICIPAL PARTNERS OWASA: Manages water-supply lands where • Towns of Chapel Hill, Carrboro, trailheads or access must be carefully sited; Hillsborough,and City of Mebane: Critical provides guidance for protection of sensitive for town-to-town and greenway system water resources. connections, rights-of-way integration, and Duke Forest: Manages forest lands where public engagement within town limits. coordination may be needed for trail interfaces or access points. • Eno River Association: Supports coordination for trails within the Eno River Basin. Partnership Benefits Friends of the MST: Ensures alignment Speeds up project delivery consistency, signage standards, and through coordinated efforts long-distance connectivity for statewide MST routing.' OBoosts funding success with unified, multi-partner applications UTILITY PARTNERS • Duke Energy: Manages transmission Expands access options easements where trails may be feasible with via shared land and easements design accommodations and clear-zone requirements. Supports long-term trail upkeep through shared stewardship Additional private utilities may assist with siting, relocations, or corridor coordination. Draft Orange County Trails Plan 75 79 Funding Opportunities Trail implementation relies on a mix of federal, state, local, and partnership-driven funding streams. North Carolina's trail funding options include both dedicated statewide programs and competitive national grants administered through state agencies.lo,ll FEDERAL SOURCES LOCAL SOURCES • Rebuilding American Infrastructure with County capital improvement funding (CIP) Sustainability& Equity(RAISE): Supports • Municipal bond programs and greenway transformative multi-modal projects. allocations • Transportation Alternatives(TA): • Public works or parks allocations tied to Administered through NCDOT and MPOs to fund shared-use paths,trail crossings, and roadway or park expansion safety improvements. PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS • Congestion Mitigation&Air Quality Other sources within the community, such as the (CMAQ): Eligible for bicycle/pedestrian examples listed below, may be able to provide facilities that reduce vehicle emissions. sponsorship, land access, and/or volunteer labor to support trail development. STATE SOURCES • Conservancies • Parks and Recreation Trust Fund(PARTF): • Non-profit partners Supports park access, greenways, and • Corporate sponsors recreation facilities across local governments. • Local businesses/employers • Recreational Trails Program (RTP): • Healthcare institutions Provides planning and construction grants • Philanthropic foundations for natural-surface and shared-use trails, • Trails friends groups administered by NC State Parks.10 • Complete the Trails Program (CTP): Supports state trail segments and connections to statewide trail corridors such as MST.lo u.. is ♦ - - %l3 �. _ ��- � North Carolina Statt Park ..m.. T.,. -- wx J n * F„ Natural surface trail and informational signage indicating arrival at Eno River State Park,observed during Trails Plan fieldwork 76 Draft Orange County Trails Plan Pictured: Little River Regional Park Draft Orange County Trails Plan 77 81 Implementation Plan The implementation plan outlines how Trails Plan STEP1 segments can move forward from concept to Maintain an Active Project Pipeline construction. It builds on the phasing framework, To ensure continuous progress is made, the prioritization process, and partnerships identified County should keep multiple segments in various on page 75 to ensure investments are strategic, stages of development.This may include preparing fundable, and aligned with statewide trail segment-level feasibility studies for top priority planning practices. Implementation in Orange corridors, evaluating emergency access and County will be an iterative, multi-year process. response considerations, advancing environmental Each step contributes to a consistent timeline studies and early engineering to minimize risk, and of trail projects advancing through feasibility, leveraging concurrent roadway or utility projects environmental review, design,funding, and to incorporate sidepaths or crossings.10 delivery.1,10,11 STEP 2 Trail implementation in North Carolina is also Coordinate Across Departments&jurisdictions shaped by applicable state statutes governing Regular coordination meetings between Orange public access, easements, liability, and greenway County DEAPR, Planning,Transportation, and development. These statutes guide how local public safety agencies, as well as municipal governments like Orange County acquire land partners and NCDOT, will help align timelines, rights and coordinate trail corridors, and will be share data, and integrate trail work into capital foundational during future feasibility, design, and projects and permitting windows. permitting phases. STEP 3 Together,the eight implementation steps Continue Community Engagement provide a clear path to begin delivering a safe, Sustain concise, accessible engagement at key connected trail network across Orange County. milestones (feasibility, design, pre-construction) to ensure segments reflect user needs, using a mix of in-person and virtual methods from Section 03 to prioritize rural residents and historically underserved communities. Engagement efforts should also be attentive to social justice and equity considerations, particularly around access, comfort, and safety for all trail users. STEP 4 Engage Landowners& Partners Early Secure relationships with landowners,TLC, OWASA, and private utilities to identify feasible alignments, reduce acquisition needs, and build trust. Early engagement helps avoid delays in the design, permitting, and construction processes. STEP 5 Strengthen Grant Readiness Federal and state trail programs increasingly reward projects that arrive with strong documentation, cost estimates, partnership 78 Draft Orange County Trails Plan 82 agreements, and demonstrated community Fr benefit. This may include maintaining updated planning-level cost estimates, preparing standard Issues for Further Study grant materials (maps, benefit narratives, letters of support), and aligning timing with various As trail _• ments move into feasibility and funding sources' cycles.10 Most state and federal design, several topics _• i _ deeper trail programs also require a local financial match, evaluation, policy development, • which should be planned for during early project cross-departmental coordination: budgeting. Wayfincling& User Experience: STEP6 Develop • •. • • Integrate Trails into Capital & Development branding, " • •. • Cycles • • , • �• • • Some segments can advance more quickly when -• _ • • improve • • digital coordinated with other scheduled improvement projects like road resurfacing, water/sewer clarity for county trail network users. upgrades, park expansions, or new development.11 Sustainable Trail Design: •_ ntify Coordination with other ongoing NCDOT planning opportunities to incorporate design best efforts can also position road route segments to practices for erosion control, material move forward when roadway projects are already nd minimizing environmental slated for design or construction. Aligning these impacts especially timelines can reduce costs and accelerate delivery. corridors. STEP 7 Implementation Capacity: Assess Build Long-Term Operations&Maintenance nd any additional (O&M)Capacity staffres• _•_• •.support • Trails require predictable and reliable stewardship. Trails • _ project •_ • ongoing A long-term O&M framework may include shared coordination. maintenance agreements with municipalities, conservancies, and trail support organizations 0 Transit Connections: Explore ways (e.g., Friends of the MST), as well as adoption to strengthen trail links to key transit programs, volunteer stewardship partnerships, and stops •. ility investments, annual O&M budgeting for new trail connections. •p•rting multi-modal access. STEP8 0 Definition:Accessibility Monitor Progress& Update Priorities • applies t• Implementation should adapt as new information specific segments and determine becomes available. A short annual review between where D; _ i _ trail design DEAPR, municipal partners, NCDOT, and the Orange County Parks & Recreation Council could be used to update phasing, incorporate new ExploreBRT Coordination: whether opportunities, and adjust priorities as conditions Bus Rapid • •• rs create change. The Trails Plan itself should also be opportunities forshared-use paths or revisited periodically to reflect completed projects, alternative trail connections. emerging needs, and changes in local or regional priorities. Draft Orange County Trails Plan 79 O-A Des ' OR f- „ �F^t�r', : , � �. . ;.� tB i.•��i 'y 1 TYA H V}�•�a 1 R1, �.� T+a•��` 9 - ,s SC = ,�,;} ' '.. lTe �� ! TAT ,, ,' �' !r3vti.y - ' p,.sa .7A •r4'i:.iit UA ") �., ��,`va� ,� :fir k _ R` •�:Id i6i� � -. gar t{r'• p , "�- a� � � t � �a - �l!►�y'Y!A. ���. '� � .: �3 .� �} � �ter• x��,ti'! Sk -�T'•- ... �-� • ;F`}� ] ,� •tom * n_ •. .y1.�,,,� �OF rl di t [y 5-4�,I a,^y'�:.� � °irk ri�1, "yam�1,'�ti• Si Fa h4 f rr .•e _ �' a kY`i.s��fh '9 •';,.i, A I TYPes o Ft,Aid B I Site VisifNbtes =':� -� a rrx,�S.. ', `� • . C I Public Engagement Docum tali'on- _ , _ r- •; D I Trail Segment Prioritizatio Documentation r E I Cost Estimate r � } p.'+..� Yam'+-( p�• +�' 3 )�j��.,; ♦ ~is �:� �I - _..- �"-r; ,�t;.,� _ �� � - ,fl. _- � ��� _ ,�T'T-lam-•'��5, 4 • � .� '..�'� - Yam'*{'•' {•- �<<r��J - �r,- ��r._ +L�_�•- �•� •fir �-:•�'y ``c F y� r. L �rc,r �,E.d�rlY' '-T•c 'ti y,`r• ••tea "I x - -- � - ""•'.�•�•_r - __ _ ,� . .... ~: ,80 -Draft Orange CoUnty Trails Plan - :.� 1 e; 4 .l p,er 1 \ ``,q!�i'•a� c' TI[- , 1. � � �V r 1` ,/ i -"•,`. .. l - ' Art-- It IL ti\�r 114 err Wg N,, �T �_ �� st .•• f','Sfsa � N r - ''�^-- -- m. ,r -' - ' ,. - .' rs•[M - - 4 -ter Tse ON SIC Vr 3511 _� f1.�� ;r'r* _,,..ate - - �• ,�-�a _ .:• �� `\ -i-e t - `^'�_ :- f � fir,'ji''�',f.,+.s�� u(,:~ �.r•c �< '� _ r"SAY - '"�- 'f ` � �' \ "��a..�+ra w •�"� F .R"Pr ��� w'#.Yy:�.�i'- � ,'�• 1- � :,;w yt �� r c'f't ^'• �.J�L Vr�:�r_t! � c .'4Y't, ��~ I` }' r, :h ��'�w M a \^, t' r 'v �A�y. r�+-AFL+� T•1 f-' �.{�}s(: gip.. _ ��' /- - �e.TM' - ..,;�� ir'�...'7i��"� �M1. .r.,�••�--v�1��{. .;�, y,'�Jr�.- �i�y _a"'f'i:-�'�-." r,Y ��k �� J '/ -�` 'V• ^` '�`, r �•����' ��+�A� ' _/ why' '�' •;-/` _ � .�. `� t -fir\�1 ��. y`•a+4. �r�� � � � `S'~ �• �}^•�`� . r.:l ��-�.._ ..,, '�� � '^_�- � i ,stir ,,:�,i. •,y,,} f'. _.' — � _ �...ti.f,1 ��Y�.� •'_r',�`•tea:'`ti i� 1� ' Pictured:H'kt&rrc Occo' � �• �'•pj Y. - .ram \` - _ }TRl�J r t,7,1 yl / / / 1 1 1 1 1 t Draft Orange County t Trails Plan Board of County Commissioners Worksession April 14, 2026 1 I I ORANGE COUNTY Gensler NORTH CAROLINA Dep,It=, o ks& —ati, / Agriculture,Pazks&Recreation / I/ What We'll Cover Tonight 01 Where we are in the process 02 What we heard from the community 03 Guiding principles 04 Overview of the proposed trail network 05 How segments were prioritized 06 Next steps 07 Feedback and questions Draft Orange County Trails Plan Board of County Commissioners Worksession April 14,2026 2 87 Trails Plan Overview The Orange County Trails Plan provides a coordinated approach for connecting residents to the daily destinations that matter most-from parks and natural areas, to schools and libraries, to towns and transit. • Combines physical network concept and policy guidance • Consolidates years of planning work and community input • Clarifies the types of trails that fit best across the county • Built on evaluation of existing conditions and feasibility Previous Plans&Initiatives Tr Segment Prioritization rnonhorde�o e. O w..,.._,,..�...�, Zz Draft Trail Network Engagement I I pl t t n Plan s .o Draft Orange County Trails Plan Board of County Commissioners Worksession April 14,2026 3 Orange County will be a place where a safe, inclusive network of trails connects people of all ages and abilities • • to each other, to nature, and to the • • _ places they love. • _ ' - • • - - • ' These trails will make it easy to • • •• - • . • • - ' . travel by foot or bike rather than • _ car, encourage healthy movement, strengthen our communities, and foster equitable access to the natural beauty that defines the Piedmont region. IV Draft Orange County Trails Plan I Board of County Commissioners Worksession I April 14,2026 4 Project Goals Five Trails Plan project goals were identified by the Orange County Parks & Recreation Council and highlighted by the community during the visioning process. 01 05 Sparl< enthusiasm Develop a Trails Create a Expand access to Identify new for a connected Plan that reflects comprehensive excellent parl<s and existing county trail networl< the community's networl< of and recreation trail segments with an equitable, vision and aligns connectivity opportunities for a to complete the inclusive, and with other county between I<ey points broader population, Mountains to Sea engaging outreach and municipality of interest including especially in rural Trail (MST) section process. efforts, such as worl<, home, school, areas of the county. in Orange County. the Bicycle and commerce, and Pedestrian Plan. public transit. Draft Orange County Trails Plan Board of County Commissioners Worksession April 14,2026 5 90 Process at a Glance The Trails Plan process consisted of six tasks between January 2025 and March 2026. 2025 2026 i JAN. i FEB. i MAR. i APR. i MAY i JUNE i JULY , AUG. , SEPT. i OCT. • NOV. DEC. i JAN. FEB. MAR. APR. i TASK 1 I I I I I I I Survey I I I I I I I I I I I I I Kick-off Website FAQs :Workshops) I I IWorkshops� Pop-ups I I I I I I I I I I I J I I I I I dft I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I TASK 2Aft I I I PRC I PRC I I PRC I I I PRC I I I BOCC I I I I BOCC I I I I I I I I I I I I Update Update I I I I I I I 1 I I I I I I I I I TASK I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I TASK 4 I I • I I I I I I I I I I I I I Cost I I Estimate I I I I I I I I I I I I TASK 5 ' I I I I I I I I partner I I I I I Partner Bike/Ped Coordination I coordination Alignment I I I I I I I I I I I I I I TASK 6 -c, Drafting of Segments Drafting&Refinement of Trails Plan Draft Complete L — — — L. — — — I— — — J Draft Orange County Trails Plan I Board of County Commissioners Worksession I April 14,2026 6 91 How We Got Here The draft Trails Plan reflects what we learned through community visioning, draft network engagement, previous plans, and on-the-ground fieldwork across the county. Community Input Previous & - shaped the vision, ` Ongoing Plans w (MST, Bike/Ped, greenway guiding principles, i, . ,, plans, Land Use Plan, and proposed network structure. etc.) set expectations for '9 connectivity. Fieldwork & Steering Committee � g guidance helped GIS Analysis �w � g p confirmed where trails refine engagement, are feasible and where s priorities, and draft constraints exist. recommendations. .� At y Draft Orange County Trails Plan Board of County Commissioners Worksession I April 14,2026 7 92 Who We Reached Public engagement reached residents across all seven townships, using both in-person and digital tools. 62 Vision Workshop 18 Draft Network 76 Pop-Up Event Attendees Workshop Attendees Participants Two hands-on sessions Two open-house style sessions Two tabling events at the County with interactive activities for residents to review and Roadshow and Soccer.com Center to define the community's provide feedbacl< on the to tal<e worl<shop content out aspirational vision and proposed trail networl< and into the community and reach shared priorities preliminary prioritization additional residents 72 Vision Survey 65 Draft Network Outreach methods included: Respondents Workshop Attendees • Project webpage Online version of the Online version of the draft • E-Newsletters (123 sign-ups) visioning activities for networl< worl<shops to provide • Social media campaigns community members who a virtual alternative to in- • Printed flyers could not attend in person person engagement • Digital advertisements/graphics Draft Orange County Trails Plan I Board of County Commissioners Worksession I April 14,2026 8 93 Q What We Heard: Visioning Process Residents emphasized the importance of safe, connected trails that 0 support daily movement and recreation across the county. Q� Q� Key Themes Priority Destinations Q • Network of connectivity • Hillsborough Riverwalk • Connection to nature • Occoneechee Mountain • Safety • Blackwood Farm Park ® . Q • Healthy movement • Brumley Nature Preserve Q • Inclusive design • Eno River State Park T Q Q Priority Connections 0 n0 DQ • Town-to-town connectivity between Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Q® q0 Hillsborough, and Mebane • Quiet, nature-based corridors where feasible v, ,Q • Regional connectivity, especially the Mountains to Sea Trail „ Q 'Q (MST) segment in Orange County Draft Orange County Trails Plan I Board of County Commissioners Worksession I April 14,2026 9 94 What We Heard: Network Feedback After reviewing the proposed draft network, guiding principles, and preliminary prioritization, community feedbacl< focused on how the trail segments would function on the ground. What people responded Questions & concerns positively to raised by the community • Completing gaps in the • Separation and safety on Mountains to Sea Trail road-adjacent routes • Longer, continuous • Potential impacts to nature-based routes creel<s and natural areas • Clear town-to-town • Privacy near certain rural connections segments • Long-term maintenance expectations Draft Orange County Trails Plan I Board of County Commissioners Worksession I April 14,2026 10 95 Inputs Inputs Inputs Inputs What we heard What we heard What we heard What we heard How Public Input Shaped the Plan Insights Insights What it means&why it matters What it means&why it matters Community visioning and draft network engagement shaped the goals, guiding g principles, proposed network, Guiding Principles and the prioritization approach, ensuring the draft Orange How it connects County Trails Plan is grounded 0 in community values. Trails Plan What it looks like Draft Orange County Trails Plan I Board of County Commissioners Worksession Aprill4,2026 22 Guiding Principles REFLECT LOCAL CHARACTER PRIORITIZE USER SAFETY CULTIVATE COMMUNITY WELLNESS Trails should seamlessly integrate into Safety is essential for encouraging The trail network should help build the surrounding landscape and reflect trail use.Thoughtful trail design a happier, healthier community by the unique identity of each community with universal access, adequate supporting physical activity, mental they pass through-from rural to urban visibility, clear wayfinding, and health, and social well-being through and everything in between-to foster safe crossings should be at the opportunities for recreation, relaxation, a stronger sense of identity and place forefront to keep pedestrians and and connection with nature. across Orange County. cyclists safe and comfortable. 0 4V � `Al L ADVANCE ACCESS&EQUITY EXPAND TRAVEL OPTIONS DESIGN FOR LONGEVITY All Orange County residents-regardless of To be effective, the trail network Trails should be designed and age, ability, income, or location-deserve should provide viable alternatives constructed using best practices that safe and convenient access to outdoor to vehicle transportation and promote long-term resilience, ease of exploration.The trail network should encourage more active modes of maintenance, and adaptability, allowing prioritize connectivity to historically travel, like biking or walking, by the network to evolve as the county underserved areas, promote inclusion, and connecting key points of interest grows and community priorities change ensure diverse community needs are met. across the county. over time. Draft Orange County Trails Plan I Board of County Commissioners Worksession I April 14,2026 12 97 Draft Trails Plan: Proposed Network The proposed network combines nature trails, rail-to-trail segments, and road routes to create a connected county system - linking major destinations and advancing MST continuity. Ol UNC Campus to University Station(Rail to Trail via NCRR CoGen Line) O2 Chapel Hill to Hillsborough(Road route via NC 86&Waterstone Dr to Cates Creek Park) m= ---- - ° " © ¢ " Carrboro to Hillsborough(Road route via Old NC 86) „ „Em'�=°===�,.�� �~"� •`• 1 � MST-Alamance County to Seven Mile Creek Natural Area(Road route) ® ©' m� 4B MST-Alamance County to Seven Mile Creek Natural Area(Nature trail) , e OMST-Seven Mile Creek Natural Area to Hillsborough Riverwalk(Nature trail) Mebane to Hillsborough(Road route via US-70) 6B Mebane to Kings Highway Park(Nature trail via Duke Energy transmission easement) , Lake Michael Park to Panther Branch Natural Area(Road route via Lebanon Rd) OCedar Grove Park to Kings Highway Park(Nature Trail via Eno River) MUM Little River Park to Cedar Grove Park(Nature trail via Northeast Park&Breeze Farm) G C Little River Park to Cedar Grove Park(Road route via Northeast Park&Breeze Farm) OMST-Eno River State Park to Durham(Nature trail) Draft Orange County Trails Plan Board of County Commissioners Worksession April 14,2026 1 13 98 What the Network Accomplishes _ The proposed trail network translates community priorities and p p Y P guiding principles into a system that... =° Expands access to parks, preserves, and natural areas for residents around the county m=-� Strengthens town-to-town and rural connectivity, linking � municipalities and surrounding communities Creates clearer, more intentional multi-modal connectionsIx 81 across the county Supports daily movement and recreation, making it easier _ _ to walk, bike, and spend time outdoors close to home ° MUM 05 Advances completion of the Mountains to Sea Trail (MST) w and strengthens Orange County's role in regional and statewide trail systems Draft Orange County Trails Plan Board of County Commissioners Worksession April 14,2026 14 99 Segment Prioritization Prioritizing trail segments helps Orange County strategically focus time and resources, advance projects that deliver the greatest benefit first, and provide a transparent, repeatable framework for future decision-making. How Priorities Were Set: A Four-Step Process 01 02 03 04 Analyst Scoring Public Input Comparison & Combined Priority Initial scoring of Community feedback Weighting Order each segment on the draft priority Inputs were Weighted results using a consistent order through normalized and were combined to set of evaluation workshops and an weighted to balance produce the draft criteria (local need, online survey, using technical feasibility priority order that cost efficiency, a dot voting exercise and community will be evolved as connectivity, guiding and ranking activity perspective. segments are refined. principle alignment, respectively. community support) Draft Orange County Trails Plan I Board of County Commissioners Worksession 1 April 14,2026 15 100 Priority Order of Segments The draft priority order reflects a combination of community preferences and feasibility considerations. Highest-ranking segments generally share the following it O MST-Eno River State Park to Durham(Nature trail) characteristics: 0 2 Chapel Hill to Hillsborough(Road route via NC 86&Waterstone Dr to Cates Creek Park) • Strong community support O MST-Seven Mile Creek Natural Area to Hillsborough Riverwalk(Nature trail) • Nature-based or separated 4B MST-Alamance County to Seven Mile Creek Natural Area(Nature trail) trail experiences O UNC Campus to University Station(Rail to Trail via NCRR CoGen Line) • Clear connections to parks, towns, and the MST © Carrboro to Hillsborough(Road route via Old NC 86) O Cedar Grove Park to Kings Highway Park(Nature Trail via Eno River) Reminder' 6B Mebane to Kings Highway Park(Nature trail via Duke Energy transmission easement) This priority order represents a . Mebane to Hillsborough(Road route via US-70 to West Hill Ave/Occoneechee Mtn) planning-level snapshot and will continue to evolve as segments MST-Alamance County to Seven Mile Creek Natural Area(Road route) are refined. 0 Little River Park to Cedar Grove Park(Nature trail via Northeast Park&Breeze Farm) a- WLake Michael Park to Panther Branch Natural Area(Road route via Lebanon Rd) OLittle River Park to Cedar Grove Park(Road route via Northeast Park&Breeze Farm) Draft Orange County Trails Plan I Board of County Commissioners Worksession I April 14,2026 16 1 What's Next 01 Convey the draft Trails Plan to relevant advisory boards for review and comment 02 Return the draft plan to the Parks and Recreation Council for formal comment and recommendation u.. 03 Refine the plan based on advisory input, Board direction, and continued coordination 04 Prepare an adoption-ready Trails Plan Additional Elements Included in the Plan for future Board of Commissioners In addition to what we covered tonight, the following consideration items are included in the draft Trails Plan and will be refined as more information becomes available: • Trail Segment One-Pagers (Section 04, pp. 42-67) • Project Phasing Framework (Section 05, pp. 72-74) • Implementation Framework (Section 05, pp. 75-79) Draft Orange County Trails Plan Board of County Commissioners Worksession I April 14,2026 1 17 1 y` =-. / / / / I I I 1 I I I I t Discussion t Questi* ons Draft Orange County Trails Plan April 14, 2026 t �, II ORANGE COUNTY Gensler Department ojEnvironment, I NORTH CAROLINA culture,Parks&Recreation I Agri I I 1 I I