American Tobacco Trail News and Accomplishments for 2005
Bill Bussey
billbus at gte.net
Fri Dec 16 15:40:34 EST 2005
Dear American Tobacco Trail Supporter,
Season's Greetings from the Board of the Triangle Rails-to-Trails
Conservancy (TRTC)!
*
Triangle Rails-to-Trails Conservancy Accomplishments and News in 2005*
This has been a very busy year for the Conservancy. Your
contributions, time and efforts have made possible the following major
2005 developments, news and activities:
*. $1.6 Million granted to the American Tobacco Trail (ATT) in the
Federal Transportation Bill-* TRTC played a significant role in
advocating for these funds This earmark from Congress will go a long
way towards finishing the remaining gaps in the trail!
*
. ATT grows in Wake County-* A 1.3 mile section north of Wimberly
Road, as well as a wonderful new trailhead on White Oak Church Road,
officially opened on National Trails Day in June.
*. New trailhead in southern Durham County- *With the help of a state
grant, TRTC has nearly completed a new trailhead parking area on
Fayetteville Road, south of Southpoint Mall. This will be an important
access point for the ATT south of I-40.
*
. Allocation of funds to purchase the Timberlake and Beltline
corridors in Durham County-* Though Norfolk Southern withdrew its offer
to sell the Timberlake corridor, TRTC and citizens successfully lobbied
local governments to set aside funds to eventually purchase one or both
corridors. Federal grants were also set aside for the purchase.
*
. Continued maintenance and development of 6.5+ miles of the ATT-*
Because of TRTC volunteer work, leadership and management, almost 7
miles of ATT are NOW OPEN for walkers, runners and bicyclists in
southern Durham and Chatham counties. Partnering with REI, Bronto
Software, the National Charity League, the Volunteer Center of Durham
and others, TRTC organized & led several workdays on the Durham and
Chatham sections, continued to clear fallen trees and debris from the
trail and installed new signage. TRTC also participated in
multi-jurisdictional management team meetings with Wake, Chatham, &
Durham counties, Cary, as well as the NCDOT Bike-Pedestrian and Rail
Divisions, the US Army Corps of Engineers & NC Wildlife Resources
Commission.
*. Western Wake Partners-* This group proposes using a significant
section of the ATT corridor in Wake Co. for insertion of a sewer line.
TRTC voiced opposition against this proposal, as it would disrupt the
trail surface and involve widespread clearing of trees. The NCDOT Rail
Division and other trail owners & managers agreed with TRTC and have
formally expressed their opposition to running a sewer line down the ATT.
*. Promotion of local rail-trails-* TRTC shared information about the
trails at eight festivals and made presentations to eight organizations.
Partnered with several organizations, some listed above, to help build
ATT. See our website <http://triangletrails.org/>for more info on TRTC
contributors.
It's been one of the most active years I can remember. Thanks to your
contributions of time and money, we've been able to keep completion and
development of the ATT 'on track', as well as promote new rail-trails
and greenways in our area.
Believe it or not, next year could prove to be even more momentous (and
busy!) for local rail-trails and the Conservancy. Here are our main
goals for 2006:
*Goals for 2006*
*. Completion of the ATT*- TRTC will continue to strongly advocate
for the completion of the trail in Durham, Chatham and Wake Counties and
remain a vital partner in the planning process.
*. Complete the Final Mile in Chatham-* TRTC will finish clearing,
make safe, open and partner in managing the final mile of the trail in
Chatham County south to Wake County. When we do this, Wake Parks has
agreed to complete their portion of the trail to a managed natural
surface trail in Chatham, thus opening almost 9 miles of continuous trail!
*. Completion of the Fayetteville Road trailhead-* TRTC plans to open
this trailhead parking area to the public and transfer it to city
management by June.
*.** Purchase of the Beltline and Timberlake rail corridors-* TRTC
will continue to advocate for continued negotiations with Norfolk
Southern Railroad.
*. Finalize and publish the ATT map-* The planned four-panel map will
provide detail on the whole trail (and some connecting greenways).
*.** Maintenance of the trail-* We will continue to hold workdays in
Durham and Chatham counties to improve, maintain and manage the trail.
TRTC will also continue to pursue transfer to city management on the
southern Durham portion.
*. Western Wake Partners*- TRTC will continue to advocate for
maintaining the integrity of the trail corridor.
*
. Trail facilities, trail safety-* We will promote and find funds for
more bike racks, information kiosks, trail-use counters, benches and
trail connections. As with this year, we will promote more police
presence on the trail and safe trail use amongst users.
As you can see, we've got quite a bit on our plate, but we must keep the
momentum going!
Hardly any of the American Tobacco Trail would be open today if weren't
for the support of our members and volunteers. Thanks to you, about 90%
of the planned 22 miles of ATT is *NOW OPEN!* TRTC is the only
organization -either governmental or non governmental - that advocates
for and supports the /entire/ American Tobacco Trail and/ all /of its
user groups.
Your TRTC membership and contributions helped us to buy & maintain tools
for work days, send out mailings, maintain our trail work insurance,
match grants, participate in festivals, give away trail maps, buy signs,
and much more. Your volunteer labor and contributions have opened and
maintained significant portions of the trail -- *years ahead of when
municipalities could do it* -- as well as cleared trailheads, promoted
the trail and also matched grants.
Your contribution, membership, help and labor are needed now because we
all need to keep working to open the ATT as soon as possible. If you
haven't already started or renewed your annual membership, or sent in a
contribution, please do so now. Donations to TRTC are tax-deductible to
the extent permitted by law. You can use the slip copied below, or use
the PayPal link found on our website (www.triangletrails.org
<http://triangletrails.org/>), or print out and mail a membership form.
If you are interested in working on the trail, please check our website
<http://triangletrails.org/VOLUNTEERS.HTM> for a schedule of workdays.
Details about our monthly board meeting --always open to members and the
public -- and more info that you could possibly want to know about the
American Tobacco Trail, are also available on the site.
Please forgive if you receive multiple copies of this message. Several
of you may be on our Volunteer lists or vice versa. We are also sending
out a number of these appeals via the US Mail to those who have
contributed in the recent past. We want to make sure that all of our
supporters and those with an interest know the progress and
accomplishments made because of your help during 2005 and our goals for
2006.
When I ride my bike on the ATT, I feel pride that I had even a small
part to play in helping it along. You too have played a part in
completing, maintaining and promoting the trail, which -- even before
completion -- is recognized as one of the best multi-use trails in the
country! Please continue to support, use and demand for completion of
the ATT, connecting greenways and future rail-trails in the Triangle.
Sincerely,
Dan Clever Bill Bussey
Treasurer President
Dclever1 at nc.rr.com americantobaccotrail at earthlink.net
To print this form, tell your printer to Print page 2 of this message.
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*Yes, I want to Join/Renew/Contribute to the
TRIANGLE RAILS-TO-TRAILS CONSERVANCY and Help Build the American Tobacco
Trail
*
Name:____________________________________________ *Memberships*
*Corporate.......................$150*
Address:__________________________________________
*Club or Organization.......$50*
City/ST/Zip:________________________________________
*Family................................$35*
*
Individual..........................$25*
Home Phone:______________________________________
*
Student.............................$10
*Email':___________________________________________ * **
Contributions*
Org./Company:____________________________________ *Gold
Sponsor........Over $500*
*Silver Sponsor.. ...$200-
$500*
Today's Date:_____________________________________
*Benefactor........... up to $200*
Total $ Enclosed;___________________________________ Donations of
any amount are gladly accepted
and needed.
Please indicate a specific project or
use for funds if you like. If not specified, funds
Comments:_________________________________________ will be
gratefully utilized as needed to build
promote the American Tobacco Trail.
__________________________________________________ *
Please make checks payable to:
**Please mail this form and your check to:**
Triangle Rails-to-Trails Conservancy Inc*.*(TRTC)*
*TRTC
PO Box 61091
Durham, NC 27715-1091 ** *
The Triangle Rails-to-Trails Conservancy is a non-profit, tax exempt
organization as qualified under Section 501 (c)(3) of the IRS Code.
Contributions are deductible to the extent permitted by law.
Questions? Bill Bussey President 919 545-9104
americantobaccotrail at earthlink.net
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