HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRO-2026-030-Trails Day Proclamation +moo Ica - 030 e; �Ialaco
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
PROCLAMATION - TRAILS DAY
WHEREAS , June 6t" has been declared National Trails Day for 2026 by the American Hiking
Society : and
WHEREAS , National Trails Day inspires individuals to take easy actions to make a difference ,
such as leaving trails better than when they found them , committing to trail service , and
advocating for the protection of public land ; and
WHEREAS , National Trails Day is an opportunity for the community to get outdoors , connect with
others , and ensure a continued legacy of trail stewardship ; and
WHEREAS , Orange County trails connect people , towns , natural areas , parks and open spaces ,
and other cultural and natural resources ; and
WHEREAS , public and non - profit parks and nature preserves within Orange County contain more
than 20 miles of trails across the county with plans to add more , including a large segment of the
State ' s Mountains to Sea Trail that stretches more than 1 , 000 miles from the Smoky Mountains
to the Outer Banks ; and
WHEREAS , trails offer benefits to communities as expressions of local character and pride , as
outdoor workshops for science education , as tools for economic revitalization , as free resources
for healthy recreation , as accessible alternative transportation , and as sites for social and cultural
events ; and
WHEREAS , parks and open space have consistently been ranked as a high priority among
Orange County residents including through recent Strategic Plan surveys ; and
WHEREAS , the adopted 2023 Climate Action Plan asserts that living in a green community
contributes to an improved quality of life , as well as providing climate resiliency ; and
WHEREAS , trails in wooded areas provide shelter from the sun , cooling temperatures , resilience
to flooding , and carbon sequestration benefits ; and
WHEREAS , annual trail runs and community hiking activities on Orange County trails and nature
preserves exemplify a passion for trail -centric recreation .
NOW, THEREFORE , we , the Orange County Board of Commissioners , do hereby proclaim June
6 , 2026 as "TRAILS DAY" in Orange County and commend its observance to all people .
Adopted by the Orange County Board of Commissioners this 2nd day of June , 2026 .
h4 A - ArA
can Hamilton , Chair
�40V11Orange County Board of Commissioners
Laura Jen , Clerk to the Board 17 52
e
ort� � ttCa���