2023 is North Carolina’s ‘Year of the Trail’
2023, North Carolina’s designated Year of the Trailthe state’s largest celebration of trails and outdoor recreation in history. You may be surprised to learn this is more than just a cute slogan celebrating trails and outdoor recreation. It’s a campaign written in the law, which is not a joke (see House Bill 554).
Trails aren’t a polarizing topic. Most agree they add value to a community with benefits including health, safety, economic development, tourism, transportation, and environment. They make North Carolina an accessible, outdoorsy, and fun living place. Trails are also a resource that helps North Carolina’s outdoor recreation economy with $28 billion and 260,000 jobs (we’re known as the Great Trail State for a reason). In North Carolina, Greensboro is known for its collections of greenways..
Ok, so trails are a big deal. But their benefits and those who work tirelessly to maintain them tend to be overlooked (guilty). The Year of the Trail hopes to change that this Year.
Goals for NC Year of the Trail:
- Inspire people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds to try trails,
- Demonstrate the importance of trails to elected officials,
- Boost outdoor recreation tourism across the state through Year of the Trail events in all 100 counties,
- Promote safe and responsible use of trails with the Outdoor NC Principles,
- And advance diversity and inclusion on trails.
The Great Trails State Coalition is leading this effort. To learn more, check out this video or visit the Year of the Trail website.
Greensboro Trail Challenge
Celebrate the Year of the Trail by completing the Greensboro Trail Challenge! Greensboro encourages the community to explore over 100 miles of trails in the City. Walk, hike, bike, or run all 22 trails by December 31, 2023. Keep up with the Greensboro Trail Challenge map (downloadable version is available in 11″ x17″). Color in the trails as you go along.
