ALAMANCE Parks was awarded a $500,000 grant by the NC Parks & Rec Trust Fund for phase one of a new park, Alston Quarter, on 360 acres of undeveloped land south of Saxapahaw, at the confluence of Haw River and Cane Creek in southern Alamance. The land was acquired in June.
Phase one includes design and construction of Alamance’s first dedicated mountain bike trail system (13m), with trailhead, hiking trails and visitor amenities. The trails will connect with Haw River State Trail and the Mountains to Sea Trail (MST).
The Alamance project was one of 25 grants awarded totaling $9.807M. Another local project approved was $362,500 for a skate park at Beth Schmidt Park, Elon. No Orange County projects were funded.
TORC’s King said, “TORC has been approached by local advocates about mountain biking and land conservation opportunities near Saxapahaw. We have discussed with SORBA how those advocates could get organizational support. Those conversations are exploratory; I don’t have a formal TORC role in the county’s new park to report. Our immediate focus is strengthening stewardship of the Triangle trails we already support.”
VOLUNTEERS are a key to everything TORC does.
At Little River in Rougemont, continued care of the existing trails and skills area continued. In a recent workday, eight volunteers reinforced jump transitions, cleared drainage berms and repaired erosion on the intermediate and advanced trails. Volunteer maintenance has continued this month. I don’t have a confirmed new trail expansion or opening date to announce there, King said.
“We always welcome help. The best starting point is to join the TORC Meetup group and RSVP to an individual workday. Each listing provides the meeting place, time and preparation details. People should check their Meetup email and notification settings to receive announcements and reminders, and check the event page for weather changes.” Most workdays are held monthly at area trails.
UPCOMING
Nov. 1, Harris Lake Bike Demo Day. We’re planning a bike demo day at Harris Lake, New Hill. Sunday, Nov. 1, featuring opportunities to try electric mountain bikes as well as conventional mountain bikes. We’re coordinating bike shop participation and will share the final schedule and details through TORC’s communications channels.
Nov. 14, Roxboro Centennial Park. There is a lot happening here. TORC has been working closely with park staff on trail construction, and a newly completed trail is being evaluated for adaptive cycling with North Carolina Adapted Sports. We’re planning a trail celebration day for Saturday, Nov. 14. The mileage has almost doubled recently and we expect more than 10 miles of trail. The Roxboro Rotary Park is just over the Person County line, convenient to Orange and Durham riders. and has hiking and ADA trails, disc golf, birding sites, in addition to MTB.
TORC also is hosting an Oct. 17 workday with Person County Friends of the Parks, 9–11 a.m., focused on pruning and light raking. Updates will be posted on our Meetup.com.
A Volunteer Appreciation Day for trail coordinators and volunteer stewards at Williamson Preserve on the Wake/Johnston line was celebrated Oct. 10 with 8 and 12-mile rides and food. It was a chance, King said, to thank the people who care for trails across the Triangle and connect with TORC and TLC leadership.
BIKER Frank, the Duke grad student, 27, injured in a June hit-and-run accident near Duke Forest on NC 751, Durham, went home after 102 days in hospital and rehab facility. He’ll continue the recovery at home. A gofundme campaign continues. The driver was arrested.
TODD LoFrese of Chapel Hill is the new president of the Carolina TarWheels. He’s a former club and BikeFest official and succeeds Mark Olsen. He’s also active in Be Loud Sophie Foundation events and fundraisers and rode with three friends 3,500 miles from San Francisco to Georgia to promote the foundation.