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WMPO presents Gullah Geechee Heritage Trail feasibility study; county asked to endorse plan without funding commitment
Summary
Wilmington Urban Area MPO presented a feasibility study for a proposed Gullah Geechee Heritage Trail through portions of Brunswick County and asked local jurisdictions to endorse the plan; endorsement would not obligate county funds.
The Wilmington Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (WMPO) presented its Gullah Geechee Heritage Trail Feasibility Study to the Brunswick County Board of Commissioners, describing recommended alignments, estimated segment costs, public engagement results and potential funding sources. The WMPO asked local jurisdictions to endorse the plan; endorsement would not create a county funding obligation.
Greer Templer, senior transportation planner for the WMPO, said the federally recognized Gullah Geechee Heritage Corridor stretches roughly 30 miles inland from the coast and includes multiple cultural landmarks in Brunswick County. The feasibility study — funded through NCDOT’s Integrated Mobility Division grant program — assessed nine corridor segments, offered two alignment options for each segment, and identified a preferred mixed alignment based on public input.
Public engagement included two rounds of surveys and in‑person pop‑ups and open houses; WMPO reported 370 completed surveys in phase 1 and additional responses and map comments in phase 2. The plan recommends amenities such as trailhead signage at Phoenix Park and Brunswick Nature Park, wayfinding and historical markers at Gullah Geechee sites, public art, exercise stations and trash/recycling at trailheads.
WMPO presented cost estimates (in 2024 dollars) by segment and suggested a phased implementation approach: short‑term projects (to be advanced sooner), medium‑term projects (6–14 years) and long‑term projects (15+ years) including a new Sturgeon Creek bridge and a utility‑easement corridor segment. Potential funding sources cited included WMPO Surface Transportation Block Grants, NCDOT active transportation programs, state Department of Natural and Cultural Resources grants, developer contributions tied to adopted plans, and private or nonprofit funding.
Commissioners asked whether local adoption would obligate county funds; WMPO clarified adoption would not require immediate county funding and that individual segments would be advanced as jurisdictions secure project development funds. WMPO staff said the WMPO adopted the feasibility study on Nov. 20 and is seeking local endorsements to support future project development.
