|
July 10, 2008
HRT Partnership Recieves Grant for Trail Work
The Ciy of Graham, a Haw River Trail Partner was awarded a $5,000 grant from the the North Carolina State Trails Program this month. The "Adopt-A-Trail" grant program awards $108,000 annually to government agencies, nonprofit organizations and private trail groups for trails projects. The funds can be used for trail building, trail signage and facilities, trail maintenance, trail brochures and maps, and other related uses.
The grant will be used for trail building on property owned by the City of Graham, on the banks of the Haw River near Interstate 85/40. The land was previously acquired with grant funds from the North Carolina Clean Water Management Trust Fund. Trail work will begin soon - if you would like to volunteer, please contact us at 229-2229 or send an email getinvolved@thehaw.org.
June 30, 2008
State Trails Seeking Input From Paddlers
The North Carolina State Trails Program is launching a research project designed to collect information from both resident and non-resident paddlers who enjoy the lakes, rivers and coastal areas of our state. This is a follow-up study on a survey conducted in 2006. The State plans to use the results from this project to promote paddling, enhance paddling experiences, and increase awareness of paddle tourism throughout North Carolina. Each respondent will be entered into a drawing for a $200 gift card to the Great Outdoor Provision Company.
The survey can be accessed by clicking on this link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=ogSiusYwE3APwc_2fq6Pn3MA_3d_3d
The results of this survey will be posted on the NC Parks website in the fall of 2008 at www.ncparks.gov. Questions about the study should be sent to Jennifer Beedle, the project manager at Jennifer.Beedle@ncmail.net or by phone at 919-715-9613.
June 23, 2008
Haw River Trail Grows with Donation of New Trail Easement
The route of the Haw River Trail became more defined this month, thanks to the donation of a trail easement by Tom Sykes of Haw River. The easement allows the Haw River Trail to travel south of US-70 to within a few hundred feet of the new "Red Slide Park" now under development in the Town of Haw River.
The land on which the trail easement was given has been in the Sykes family for generations. Tom maintains an orchard on the upper property, and was more than willing to accomodate the Trail near the Haw River. The site is a constant home to a family of Canada Geese, and Tom reports that a bald eagle frequents the spot many mornings. Tom's willlingness to share his land is an example of the spirit of sharing that is driving the Haw River Trail. We look forward to building the trail through this beautiful stretch of river.
June 2, 2008
Haw River Trail Featured on "North Carolina Weekend"
The Haw River Trail was the lead story on UNC-TV's "North Carolina Weekend" this week. The story focused on the unique experience of paddling the Haw River, and the conservation efforts that are supported by the recreational users. The segment featured interviews with many well known figures around the river including Haw River Canoe and Kayak's Joe Jacob and avid paddler Greg Massey. After being photographed paddling on the front page of Alamance Magazine in 2007, Massey lacks only a cameo in a feature film to complete the rare Haw River Media Hat Trick.
UNC-TV is North Carolina's public television station and broadcasts statewide. If you missed it, the show can also be viewed on the "North Carolina Weekend" website.
May 20, 2008
First Section of Mountains to Sea Trail Designated
Swepsonville River Park was officially designated as a portion of the North Carolina Mountains to Sea Trail this month, the first section of the Haw River Trail to receive such a designation. The park was one of the first sections of Haw River Trail opened in 2004 and represents an important node on the planned Haw River Trail/Mountains to Sea route. The site of the park has been an important crossing point on the Haw River for over 200 years, and was the site of troop crossings in both the Revolutionary and Civil Wars.
Swepsonville River Park offers approximately two miles of hiking trails, extending northward from the confluence of Great Alamance Creek and the Haw River. It also offers two paddle accesses, numerous fishing points and overnight camping to park visitors.
May 6, 2008
Haw River Acquires 15 Acres for “Red Slide Park”
The Town of Haw River has acquired 15 acres of property adjacent to the Haw River for the creation of a new public park. The park will be called “Red Slide Park” in reference to the historical name of the neighborhood. The property is located off Lang Street, across the Haw River from the historic Granite Mill. The current owners of Granite Mill, Haw River Business Center, sold the majority of the property to be used for the park. Additional property was sold by the Odis and Gloria Fogleman family.
The park will extend the Haw River Trail/Mountains-to-Sea Trail through the Town, and will create a new access point to the Haw River Paddle Trail. The park will also protect approximately 3300 linear feet of frontage on the Haw River. The park’s acquisition and development are funded, in part, by a $75,000 grant from the North Carolina Recreational Trails Program. The park project is a cooperative effort between the Town and the Haw River Trail Partnership. The Haw River Trail Partnership is made up of several local governments and the Elon University Center for Environmental Studies. The Town of Haw River was one of 10 local governments to pledge to work cooperatively towards recreation and conservation goals along the Haw River in a 2006 Memorandum of Understanding. Signers of the 2006 MOU have conserved more than 1,000 acres and over 3 miles of frontage along the Haw River in the past 2 years.
April 21, 2008
Yee-Haw! River Paddle Brings over 180 to the Haw
This weekend's First Annual Yee-Haw! River Paddle was a great success. The event brought over 180  people from across the State to the Haw River for a day of paddling and fellowship. Three events tailored to beginners, families and experienced paddlers gave all skill levels a chance to enjoy the river, many for the first time.
The event was a joint effort by the Haw River Trail Partnership including the City of Burlington, the City of Graham, Alamance County, and the Elon University Center for Environmental Studies. Haw River Canoe and Kayak Company outfitted dozens of paddlers with boats and instruction and a sponsership by the Burlington-Alamance Convention and Visitor's Bureau allowed some of the proceeds to benefit the Elon University Center for Environmental Studies Haw River Trail Fund.
Thanks to all who attended.
If you took photos of the event, please take a minute to share them on the Haw River Trail Gallery on Flickr.com
To read a story about the Yee-Haw River Paddle in the Burlington Times-News, click here.
April 7, 2008
Haw River Trail Program Receives Statewide Award
Alamance County was honored with the Outstanding County Program Award by the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners this week for its role in developing the Haw River Trail Coordinator Position in Alamance County. The award is given by the NCACC to "recognize and share information with other counties about programs that involve a uniquely innovative process, solution or idea to address a county or multi-jurisdictional issue."
The Haw River Trail Coordinator position was created in May 2006, when Alamance County was one of 10 local governments to sign a Memorandum of Understanding pledging to work jointly towards recreation and conservation goals on the Haw River. The position is hosted by the Elon University Center for Environmental Studies and is jointly funded by the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation, Alamance County, the City of Burlington and the City of Graham.
View News Archives
Spring 2007
Summer/Fall 2007
Winter 2007-08
|