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Sparta and Alleghany County named North Carolina ‘‘Trail Towns’’; county plans signage, fundraising for park history board
Summary
Local trail organizers told commissioners that Sparta and Alleghany County were selected as official North Carolina Trail Towns; the designation brings marketing support and stewardship expectations and organizers outlined web resources, trail listings and a small fundraising need for a history board at Sam Brown Mountain Park.
Forrest Coley, board chair of the Alleghany Trail Association, told the county board that Sparta and Alleghany County were selected as one of roughly 30 official North Carolina Trail Towns, a designation he said will bring marketing promotion and encourage stewardship of local trails.
Coley said the county lists more than 30 trails and is integrating trail pages on the Chamber and ASTA websites so visitors can filter hikes by difficulty, loop type and accessibility. He said the designation promotes local businesses and may attract more visitors and events to the county.
Coley also described recent and planned improvements at Sam Brown Mountain Park, including new signage, plantings of American chestnut and English walnut trees, additional trails and partnerships with local groups such as the Girl Scouts and the county wellness program. He said a history interpretive board for the park is a near-term priority but the Sam Brown Fund is nearly exhausted; he estimated the cost for that board at about $3,000–$4,000 and said organizers are seeking additional donations.
Commissioners asked practical questions — for example whether e‑bikes will be allowed on trail sections. Coley said trail-by-trail designations determine allowed uses and that some state trails permit e‑bikes while others do not. The board expressed appreciation for volunteer work and the Chamber’s role in developing the web resources.
The presentation concluded with an expectation that the state would announce the designation this week and that the trail pages and promotional materials will follow.
