Blue Ridge Conservancy Awarded $962,000 in Great Trails State Program Grants
Raleigh, NC - Governor Josh Stein announced that the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources has awarded more than $11 million authorized by the General Assembly in grants to communities and nonprofits in western North Carolina from Great Trails State Program funding. Blue Ridge Conservancy (BRC) was awarded three grants totaling $962,000 for the Middle Fork Greenway, Northern Peaks State Trail, and the Lansing Creeper Trail Park Expansion.
“From the barrier islands to the Blue Ridge Mountains, North Carolina is home to amazing opportunities for outdoor recreation,” said Governor Josh Stein. “As western North Carolina continues to recover from Hurricane Helene, this funding for trails will help local communities increase tourism, promote healthy living, and improve quality of life for all North Carolinians.”
BRC Executive Director Charlie Brady: “Blue Ridge Conservancy is grateful to have been awarded these grants from the State of North Carolina’s Great Trails State Program. These grants will materially advance the construction of BRC’s three most impactful and popular trail projects. Public access and recreation have long been a critical strategic goal of BRC. The State’s confidence in our work is well-deserved because of our long track record of successfully partnering with numerous entities and completing the projects we commit to.”
(Left) Angler Park on the Middle Fork Greenway, (Middle) Three Top Mountain on the Northern Peaks State Trail, (Right) Lansing Creeper Trail
The Middle Fork Greenway will receive $500,000 for the construction of the new Angler Park. This park will extend the Greenway south toward Blowing Rock and will include parking, river access, bridges, and river restoration. “The 2025 Round Up for the Greenway will match this grant for the construction of Angler Park,” said MFG Director Wendy Patoprsty. “This park is currently being designed and engineered, with permitting underway. We expect to begin Phase 1 in spring of 2026, and will continue to fundraise for Phase 2.”
The Northern Peaks State Trail will receive $150,000 for construction of the trail through Three Top Mountain, a vital link to connect Boone to the Jeffersons. “The Great Trails State Program grant for the Northern Peaks State Trail on Three Top Mountain will fund Phase 2 of the project. It will be approximately 8 miles long. All of the NPST funds from the GTSP will be used for trail construction.” stated NSPT Coordinator Jordan Sellers. “Accounting for Phase 1 and 2, BRC will provide a $202,600 match for the grant. This type of funding, from the NC General Assembly and supported by Governor Stein, is instrumental in bringing ambitious projects like the Northern Peaks State Trail to fruition. Blue Ridge Conservancy is a proud member of the Great Trails State Coalition and we are grateful for the Coalition's leadership and vision in supporting the creation of this historic funding.”
Additionally, BRC will receive $312,000 for the expansion of the Town of Lansing’s Creeper Trail Park upstream along Big Horse Creek for approximately one mile. BRC will purchase two parcels of land totaling 57 acres along Big Horse Creek to expand the Creeper Trail Park in Lansing, NC. The property contains 1 mile along Big Horse Creek and the old Virginia Creeper Railroad bed, which will be used for the future trail surface. Once the properties are secured they will be transferred to the Town of Lansing.
“The 125 member organizations of the Great Trails State Coalition thank the North Carolina General Assembly for creating and funding the Great Trails State Program,” said Palmer McIntyre, director N.C. Great Trails State Coalition. “This visionary investment in all types of trails across the state will deliver transformative economic, health, and quality-of-life benefits for communities of all sizes. The Coalition will continue to work alongside N.C. State Parks to support this program.”
The Great Trails State Program legislation was established through the General Assembly in 2023, representing a historic investment of $25 million in North Carolina trails. The program offers matching grants to North Carolina local governments, public authorities, regional council of governments, and nonprofit organizations.