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Council endorses Crowders Mountain paved-trail feasibility study; plan estimated at $17 million in phases
Summary
The council approved a feasibility study to connect downtown Gastonia, Lynnwood Springs Park and Crowders Mountain State Park via Carolina Thread Trail alignments. The plan was presented at no cost to the city and is intended to help leverage future funding; total estimated cost across phases is about $17 million.
The Gastonia City Council voted Aug. 5 to endorse a feasibility study for a paved trail connecting downtown Gastonia, Lynnwood Springs Park and Crowders Mountain State Park as an amendment to the Carolina Thread Trail master plan.
Consultants, funded through state and non‑city sources, produced the feasibility document; staff said the study’s consulting work would have cost roughly $120,000 but was covered by NCDOT and Carolina Thread Trail partners, so it did not require city funds to produce. The study lays out route alternatives, evaluation criteria (connectivity, equity, traffic safety, environmental impact, cost and user experience) and a phased implementation plan the city can use to seek grants and coordinate with developers.
Estimated costs and phasing
The feasibility report divides construction into logical phases. Staff presented the study’s planning-level cost estimates: phase 1 (park and immediate connections) about $800,000; phases 2 and 3 (longer east/west segments) roughly $5 million each; phase 4 approximately $1.1 million; phase 5 about $1.3 million; and a more complex phase 6 with additional terrain and right-of-way challenges. The combined planning estimate for the whole corridor was roughly $17 million; staff emphasized the project would be built in segments when funding and development opportunities arise.
Why council endorsed the study
Proponents said adopting the study would allow the city to leverage state and federal grants and coordinate new development to supply trail connections. Jane Love, trail development manager for Carolina Thread Trail, and city staff described a multi-agency steering committee that included Gaston County, the regional MPO, NCDOT staff and Crowders Mountain State Park representatives.
Council members applauded the plan’s connectivity and the potential to use developer-built segments. Councilman Gallagher moved adoption; the motion received council approval (committee recommended adoption 3–0 and council vote recorded as carried). Staff said adoption would allow the city to submit the amended route to the county and the Carolina Thread Trail board for their records and to pursue funding when appropriate.
Ending: Council members said the plan does not obligate the city to immediate spending but provides a policy and design roadmap to pursue funding and to coordinate trail construction as development opportunities arise.
