Active Projects

Updated September 2025

Yancey County School Trails

A trail system is being developed for Mountain Heritage High School, with designs presented to the Yancey County Board of Education and a Recreational Trail Program (RTP) grant submitted. A Memorandum of Agreement has been signed with Yancey County Schools to expand this vision into a system of trails across public school campuses in the county.
Partners: Yancey County Schools, Blue Ridge Riders, RoundRock Design

Rockingham County Woodland Trail

Status: On Hold – The RTP proposal has been paused following the retirement of a long-time county trail advocate.
Partners: Rockingham County Education Foundation, Rockingham County Tourism, Dan River Basin Association

Farris Memorial Park

Successfully secured funding through the Great Trails State program for 4 miles of new multi-use trail connecting to the existing network at Farris Memorial Park. Efforts included a public input meeting, in-kind commitments, agency reviews, and proposal development.
Status: Fully funded; environmental reviews underway in preparation for contract.
Partners: Town of Mayodan, Rockingham County Tourism, Dan River Basin Association

Hogan’s Creek Park

Prepared and submitted a Great Trails State proposal for 4 miles of new multi-use trail to expand the existing Hogan’s Creek Park system. Efforts included a public input survey, in-kind commitments, agency reviews, and proposal preparation.
Status: Fully funded; environmental reviews underway in preparation for contract.
Partner: Rockingham County Tourism

Washington Mills Park

Led the planning and submission of a Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) proposal to transform the historic Washington Mills site—located adjacent to the Mayo River in Mayodan—into a regional park.
Status: Fully funded through PARTF.

What We’re Dreaming About

• Youth Trail Leaders: A teen trail ambassador program blending ecology, public speaking, and project management.

• The Wild Build: A high school student-led creek restoration project aimed at carbon capture and empowering the next generation of climate leaders.

Closed Projects

YMCA Camp Consultation

Provided consultation for a YMCA camp to guide trail development strategy. RTN emphasized that public trails open the door to larger funding opportunities, while private trails often rely on foundation and donor support. This strategic guidance helped the camp design and construct a new trail on the mountain behind the camp.
Outcome: New trail completed and in use.

Building a future where every trail lies beautifully on the landscape and strengthens communities.

The proposed Woodland Trail in Rockingham County would open access to this abandoned lake in Wentworth.

Trail design/builder, Tony McGee, working on mountain bike trail at Farris Memorial Park, Jan. 2025

Washington Mills Park is slated for development on the old Washington Mills site.