Archive for the ‘National Recreation Trails’ Category

New National Recreation Trails Designated

Monday, June 6th, 2011
Late last week the U.S. Department of the Interior announced the designation of 41 trails as National Recreation Trails, adding almost 650 miles of new trails to the National Trails System. Spanning across 17 states, the land and water trails provide opportunities for communities to connect with nature and enjoy the great outdoors as part of a healthier lifestyle.

“From coast to coast, National Recreation Trails help connect Americans with the wonders of America’s Great Outdoors," said Deputy Secretary Hayes. "Today’s new National Recreation Trails, built through partnerships with local communities and stakeholders, provide great opportunities for people to get outside, get active and have fun. The trails establish a strong link in our urban and rural communities alike to a conservation legacy for future generations to build upon."

With the announcement, the state of Alabama saw 21 trails officially designated as National Recreation Trails. The only trails to receive designation in the Smokies region was the Warriors' Path State Park Mountain Bike Trail System. The park is located near Kingston, Tennessee.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com

Posted in Mountain Bike Trail System, National Recreation Trails, Warriors' Path State Park | Comments Off

31 New National Recreation Trails Designated

Sunday, May 30th, 2010
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced the designation of 31 trails in 15 states as National Recreation Trails, adding more than 716 miles of trails to the National Trails System.

"From coast to coast, the National Trails System helps connect American families with the wonders of the great outdoors," said Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar. "These new National Recreation Trails, built through partnerships with local communities and stakeholders, will create new opportunities for fitness and stewardship while creating a lasting legacy for our children and grandchildren."

Each year nominations for designation of new National Recreation Trails may be submitted. The NRT Program recognizes trails that provide opportunities for all Americans to enjoy the out-of-doors and improve the quality of life of our communities. The trails which are designated are announced in the first week of June as part of National Trails Day events.

With nine trails added to the National Trails System, the state of Alabama scored the highest number of newly designated National Recreation Trails.

The Highlands Plateau Greenway was the only trail to be designated in the Great Smoky Mountains region. The Highlands Plateau Greenway is located roughly 35 miles south of Cherokee in Highlands, North Carolina, the highest incorporated town east of the Mississippi. The 5-mile network of continuous walking trails connects natural areas and historic sites for educational and recreational opportunities. Straddling the Eastern Continental Divide in a temperate rainforest, the area boasts the highest floral and faunal diversity in North America. Because of this unique environment, landscaping along the trail with plants native to the southern mountains is a major focus.

You can find the complete list of newly designated National Recreation Trails by clicking here.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com Detailed information on trails in the Smoky Mountains; includes trail descriptions, key features, pictures, video, maps, elevation profiles, news, and more.

Posted in Highlands, Highlands Plateau Greenway, National Recreation Trails, National Trails System, New, North Carolina | Comments Off