Get Involved
Deep River State Trail | Randolph County
How you can Support Trails in North Carolina
The Great Trails State Coalition is a grassroots effort to give our communities the trails they’ve been asking for. We’d love for you to join us. There are lots of ways to support trails in North Carolina.
1. Learn about the Impact of Trails and their Benefits to your Community
Read up on the benefits of trails.
2. Donate to the Great Trails State Coalition
Giving provides critical advocacy and support in making North Carolina the Great Trailst State!
3. Contact your State Senator or State Representative
Send an email, mail a letter, or make a phone call to let your state legislators know that you support funding for trails. Get inspiration from the script below:
The Honorable [Full Name]
North Carolina [House of Representatives/Senate]
Raleigh, NC
My name is [your name] and I am from [Town/City], North Carolina.
As your constituent, I am writing to respectfully urge you to support robust funding for trails and greenways during this session of the General Assembly — including support for continued, recurring funding for the Great Trails State Program.
Trails are no longer viewed as amenities alone. They are transportation corridors, economic drivers, public health infrastructure, and community resilience assets. North Carolina’s outdoor recreation economy generates more than $28 billion annually, and trails are foundational to that growth. Yet despite strong demand and demonstrated return on investment, North Carolina continues to lag behind peer states in consistent, dedicated trail funding.
Communities across our state — rural and urban alike — have “investment-ready” projects that are waiting for state partnership to move forward.
Investments in trails and greenways directly support:
Tourism and destination development
Downtown revitalization and urban redevelopment
Increased property values and local tax revenue
Reduced health care costs through preventative activity
Transportation access and safety
Job creation and small business growth
North Carolina studies show that every $1 invested in trail construction generates $1.72 annually in local business activity and sales tax revenue, in addition to measurable health and transportation savings.
The General Assembly has already demonstrated leadership through the Complete the Trails Fund and support for authorized State Trails. Now is the time to build on that momentum and ensure sustained, strategic investment through the Great Trails State funding priorities.
Trails connect all 100 counties. They connect people to jobs, schools, parks, small businesses, and to one another. They strengthen local economies while improving quality of life for residents and visitors alike.
I respectfully ask for your support in advancing trail funding this session. I would welcome the opportunity to speak further or host you on a local trail in our community.
I hope we can cross paths on one of North Carolina’s beautiful trails soon!
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Town/City], North Carolina
4. Become a Member
Are you involved with an organization that would like to become a member of the Great Trails State Coalition? Visit the Member Page for Membership Tier levels and benefits, as well as individual member options.
For more information about membership and Coalition operating procedures, please contact Julie Judkins, Coalition Coordinator at julie@greattrailsnc.com.
5. Keep in Touch: Get Email Updates in your Inbox
Keep in touch. As our movement progresses, we’d love to inform you about what’s going on.