North Guilford News

Town of Summerfield issued the following announcement on Jan. 5.

On August 10, 2021, the NC legislature passed HB 554 designating 2023 as “North Carolina Year of the Trail.”  This designation is supported by many trail organizations, some linked below.

What does the Year of the Trail really mean?

Special trail programs and events are planned throughout 2023 and all North Carolina.

North Carolina’s hiking, biking, paddling, off-road vehicle, and equestrian trails showcase the splendor of our natural and urban landscapes. Trails and greenways are a vital part of community infrastructure. They provide significant health, economic and transportation benefits, and are the cornerstone of North Carolina’s $28 billion outdoor recreation industry, the 6th largest in the US. Additionally, the “Year of the Trail” will showcase the vital role volunteers play in building and maintaining trails – from nature loops to long-distance, statewide trails.

Why 2023?

North Carolina has officially designated 2023 as the “Year of the Trail,” with a goal to increase awareness of trails, trail use, and tourism across the state! Officials chose the year 2023 because it is the 50th anniversary of the 1973 North Carolina Trails System Act. This act created the state’s Trails Program, which is part of the Division of Parks and Recreation and is assisted by the N.C. Trails Committee, a group of citizens appointed to represent users of different types of trails, including hiking, biking, paddling, horseback riding and off-road vehicles. The 1973 Act also envisioned a State Trail System of long-distance State Trails that would be units of the North Carolina Park System. That trail system now includes 11 State Trails.

Not only are trails beneficial to individuals who want to spend time outdoors, they also serve as a cornerstone of North Carolina’s outdoor recreation industry. The decision by the N.C. General Assembly to spotlight trails by designating the “Year of the Trail” underscores the vital role this industry plays in tourism, economic development, health, and transportation for the state.

We’ll see you on the trails!

Original source can be found here.