The North Carolina Legislature enacted a measure declaring 2023 as the Year of the Trail in North Carolina. The Great Trails State Coalition put together a website, toolkit and Year of the Trail branding to assist people across the state in celebrating trails all year.
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Looking Back
McDowell celebrated Year of the Trail in a big way in 2023
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In November, McDowell County officials, Duke Energy representatives and N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new recreation park which is next to the Black Bear Access Area on Lake James. This lakeside park features hiking trails, a day-use picnic facilities, picnic shelters, a campground, restrooms, a fishing pier and access to Lake James and the Fonta Flora Trail.
In October, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held for the Peavine Trail’s new trailhead entrance on State Trail in Marion. The ceremony included Mayor Steve Little (holding ribbon on far left), McDowell Trails Association President Steve Pierce, City Planner Heather Cotton (holding scissors), City Manager Bob Boyette, N.C. Rep. Dudley Greene, Turtle Laboratories owners Joey Sacco and Tegan Strautmann Sacco, Debora Workman with the Marion East Community Forum, Amanda Elledge Finn with the Friends of the Fonta Flora State Trail, longtime trails activist Frank Dean, Shannon Odom (holding ribbon on far right) with the McDowell Tourism Development Association and others.
The new trailhead on State Street is marked with colorful and attractive signs made by Turtle Laboratories of Marion. More signs like this will be placed at other entrances to the Peavine Trail.
A groundbreaking ceremony for the new Fonta Flora Trailhead and Arrowhead Park in Old Fort was held in August by the Friends of the Fonta Flora State Trail and officials from the town of Old Fort and McDowell County as well as community leaders. Due to the rainy weather, the event was moved to the inside of the Old Fort Depot.
The Peavine Trail follows the pathway of the old Peavine rail line that branched off the Southern Railway and continued southward through Marion’s neighborhoods. The trail is popular among joggers, cyclists and walkers.
In North Carolina, 2023 was officially designated as the Year of the Trail.
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“We are making progress every day and are just as excited as you are to open our doors."
“His willingness to help remove financial obstacles for our cadets sends a strong message that their community believes in them."
The 2027 reappraisal schedule was just one of the topics discussed during Monday’s meeting of the McDowell County Board of Commissioners.
“This fundraiser is a chance for the community to rally around a local pillar that has meant so much to so many people."
The forum took place Thursday at the Marion Community Building, and a big crowd attended the event, which was hosted by West Marion Inc.
