APRIL 2004 ATT NEWSLETTER

Hi Friends of the American Tobacco Trail,

This is your reminder about the monthly meeting of the Triangle Rails-to-Trails Conservancy Meeting (TRTC) coming up this Monday, April 5, at 7:30 p.m. at the Woodcroft Professional Building at the intersection of Fayetteville Rd. and Woodcroft Parkway in south Durham.
 
We'll have updates on the Phase E of the ATT project we are working on in southern Durham, new work on the future ATT in Chatham county, as well as other news. See below for updates of each. We hope you can make it to the meeting.

1st Stop: www.triangletrails.org
 
If you haven't already been there be sure to check out the Triangle Rails-to-Trails Conservancy website at: www.triangletrails.org . 

Our site is now hosted with RTPnet, www.rtpnet.org , a community network for the communities of the Research Triangle [Park] area in North Carolina, including Raleigh, Durham, Cary, and Chapel Hill. We join a long list of other Triangle nonprofits which are hosted and listed by rtpnet. They are good folks and have been very helpful in getting us set up. If your organization is looking for a web host, we urge you to check them out.

This new website offers TRTC faster access and some additional control over our site. We are now able to get photos and news up faster.  Our webmaster, Curt Devereux continues his fine job in keeping this site going. You can also check out minutes of previous TRTC meetings and see lots of photos of our activities there.

The American Tobacco Trail in the News!
The ATT has been the subject of several newspaper articles recently. Check them out at the following links.

http://heraldsun.com/durham/4-464385.html

http://heraldsun.com/durham/4-465311.html

http://www.triangle.com/outdoors/tio/story/993633p-6990537c.html

You'll note in the second article that US Representative David Price has been working hard to get funds to complete the ATT in southern Durham and Chatham counties. We thank Congressman Price for he and his staff's efforts to fund the completion of the ATT. We cross our fingers that the bill is passed with funding for the ATT intact. It will be a great day for the entire Triangle when the entire ATT is complete!

Check out the Poll

This will be the final month of a poll at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/attnews/ regarding the upcoming "Buy a Board" fundraising program to raise matching funds to deck the trestles in Chatham County. Funds raised will go to raising a match for any grants used to deck the Northeast Creek and Panther Creek trestles; or if not needed for that, other physical trail construction needs. We need your opinion on this. Should we sell boards for $20, $30, $50, $70 or more? Check out the polls section at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/attnews/ 

Right now, $50/board is in the lead with 4 votes, followed by $100 and $20 at 2 votes each. If you haven't already made your voice heard, go now to the poll page at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/attnews/polls

Unless you are already a member of this group, you'll need to sign up to see the photos or participate in the poll. Just go to the site and follow the directions. Let me know if you have any questions.

There are lots of photos taken of the Wake County Phase A of the American Tobacco Trail (ATT) construction. Here you can get a good look at the new bridges on this portion of the trail. You can also add your own photos taken on the ATT at the site. We are looking for photos of people using the ATT. They can be walking, riding, blading, wheelchairing, running or whatever. If you have photos you have taken on the ATT, please send them in as instructed on the site.

TRTC Receives Two Major Grants!
As reported last month, the Triangle Rails-to-Trails Conservancy has received a grant for $5000 from the Carolina Tarwheels Bike Club . This will help TRTC build and maintain the ATT in both Durham and Chatham counties. In awarding the grant, Wendy Roberts, President of the Carolina Tarwheels noted, "The Carolina Tarwheels strongly supports TRTC's efforts to advocate local governments to finish the American Tobacco Trail. We especially applaud their enthusiasm and expertise to build and manage portions of the trail so cyclists and others can use them now."

TRTC also received another $5000 grant from  Recreational Equipment Incorporated (REI) on the opening of their new Durham store. REI CEO Dennis Madsen presented the check noting that REI has long supported rail-trail efforts. They were especially proud to support the ATT which is located less than 1/4 mile from their new Durham store.

Thanks to both the Carolina Tarwheels and REI for these very generous grants. They do indeed demonstrate the support and desires of many individuals, organizations, municipalities and others to build and enjoy a better Triangle.

I'll add that TRTC and other organizations working on the ATT have received grants in the past from Durham Open Space and Trails Commission, NC State Adopt-A-Trail Program and National Recreational Trails Fund.

The City of Durham and Wake County have received major funding from the Federal Transportation Enhancements Program administered by the NC Dept. of Transportation Bike/Ped Division. TRTC is grateful to both of these organizations for helping to build the American Tobacco Trail.

ATT in Wake is Open and Going Strong
 
Unless you've been under a rock somewhere, most of you know that the first 3.5 miles of what will be about 7 miles of ATT in Wake county (and 22 miles of total trail) is now OPEN . If you've been waiting to see one of the Triangle's newest greenways, what are you waiting for!

Plans are underway for the 2nd Phase of the ATT to be put out for bid around the first of summer. This section will run from the current end of the trail at Wimberly Road about 1 1/2 miles north to a new trailhead on White Oak Church Road. This facility will be equipped with composting toilets and equestrian and bus parking. It will be a nice facility that we all can be proud of.

Keep in mind that Springtime is a great time to see this section of the ATT for the first time, or watch the change (hopefully!) in seasons.

The trail surface is composed of granite screenings, which is a easy on the ankles, yet firm enough to accomodate a variety of users. Hikers, runners, road and off-road cyclists, equestrians, and those in wheelchairs are welcome to use the trail. Sorry roller bladers! No motorized vehicles please! Be sure to follow the rules on the signage that is available at trail entrances. Please be respectful of your fellow trail users, the trail itself and the natural areas you are accessing.

Hours of operation are daily 8 a.m. to an hour before sunset.  Right now, the ATT closes about 5:30 p.m. Check the sign upon entering the parking areas to verify closing times. If the gates at the trailheads are closed, the trail is closed.

Also, please be sure to check out the new trail information kiosks just installed at the trailheads. Here you'll find information to make your ATT experience more enjoyable.

For more trail information and comments, contact the American Tobacco Trail manager, Tony D'Amico or Debra at 919 387-2117 Email:  Tony.D'Amico@co.wake.nc.us
 
Parking and Trailhead Access Areas

There are two trailhead parking areas. The principal parking area is off of New Hill-Olive Chapel Road, two miles south of US 64. From Raleigh, Cary and points east, go west on US 64 to the NC 751 traffic light. Turn left or south onto New Hill-Olive Chapel Road. Go two miles, crossing a bridge over Beaver Creek. Just past the bridge, see the blue Wake County Parks sign, turn left into gravel drive and go through the gate. Note closing time sign at entrance. If gate is closed and locked, trail is closed.

This trailhead is the largest trailhead currently planned and is designed to handle equestrian, bus and personal vehicle parking.

>From Durham and points north, go south on NC 751 to the US 64 traffic light. Go straight through the light go two miles to the gravel drive on the left shortly after the Beaver Creek bridge.

>From Pittsboro, Jordan Lake and points west, go east on US 64 to the NC 751 light. Turn riight or south, go two miles to the gravel drive on the left shortly after the Beaver Creek bridge.

>From the South, take US 1 to the New Hill/Harris Lake Park exit. Go north on New Hill-Holliman Road to the intersection of Old US 1. Go straight onto New Hill-Olive Chapel Road approximately 3 miles, crossing the New Hope Valley RR tracks. About a 8/10 mile beyond the tracks, turn right into the gravel drive which leads to the parking area. See the Blue Wake County Parks sign. If you cross the Beaver Creek bridge you've gone too far.

The other parking area on Wimberly Road is designed for only personal vehicle parking  because it isn't large enough to safely accomodate equestrian trailers. If you want to park your equestrian trailer please go to the New Hill-Olive Chapel Road trailhead.

To access the Wimberly Road trailhead from Raleigh, Cary or points east, take US 64 west to Jenks Road on the right. See the Citgo convenience store at this intersection. Go 1/3 mile (mileages are approximate) to the first left. Turn left onto Wimberly Road. Go approximately 1 mile passing the Cary-Apex Water Treatment plant, and crossing the White Oak Creek bridge. The trailhead is located on the right.

>From Durham and points north, go south on NC 751 to the US 64 traffic light. Turn left onto US 64. Go approximately two miles to Jenks Road on the left. See Citgo convenience store. Follow above directions.

>From Pittsboro and points west, go east on US 64 to the NC 751 light. Go approximately 2 miles past the light to Jenks Road on the left. See Citgo convenience store. Follow above directions to trailhead on Wimberly Road.

Please do not access the trail by parking on Goodwin Road or Olive Chapel Road. The Goodwin Road crossing is in a neighborhood and the trail is adjacent to a driveway used by several families. If you park on the driveway or the trail, you will be towed, as well as make a lot of people unhappy. Olive Chapel Road is a heavily traveled, fairly high speed, narrow road where there is no formal parking area. It is hazardous to get in and out of your vehicle here alongside the road. Please use the above mentioned parking areas which are conveniently located, safe and dedicated to trail use.

Shared Use Trail Etiquette

While many of you know to say a quick hello when meeting or passing fellow trail users, a lot of you may not have been on greenways or trails used by horses.

The key thing to remember is that "Wheels Yield to Heels. Bicyclists and other wheeled users yield to those on either two or four feet! Hikers should yield to equestrians. If you aren't sure what to do, stop, and let the equestrian pass. Feel free to ask the horse rider what you should do. Most folks riding horses will gladly chat with you about their mount.

If you overtake a horse, cyclist or hiker from behind, make verbal contact with the trail user."On your left" will generally do it. A quick "thanks" after passing is always a good idea.

If you meet a trail visitor on horseback while they are crossing a bridge, or while they are in the tunnel, stop and let them completely cross or exit before you enter or cross. While many horses are fine in confined spaces with others, some may not be as comfortable in proximity to strangers on/in these places. Slow down and wait a few seconds and let them clear. Everyone will enjoy the trail a lot more. Don't forget to say hi to the rider!

If you come across park staff or volunteers doing work on the Wake County or southern Durham portions of the ATT, first, catch their attention, and indicate you want to pass. For your safety, stop until they give permisson to pass. They may have to move or stop what they are doing to allow you to safely pass.

This is particularly true when the workers are working with motorized machinery. They may not hear your approach because of the noise of the machinery they are operating. If they don't see you, wave your arms a bit until they acknowledge your presence and motion you to pass.

You'll no doubt see some horse droppings on this portion of the trail. Step or ride around it just as you do the occasional fallen branches or mud puddles. The trail surface is a minimum of ten feet wide, and sometimes more than that (we measured!) so it is easy to find room to go around it.

Keep in mind that unlike dogs, cats (and people!) droppings, horse droppings are plant based. It will go away quickly after a rain. You might see some horse dung in the tunnel under US 64. It has been suggested that a broom be left there for trail users to sweep it out if they feel the need.

There are now a group of primarily equestrian volunteers who are patrolling the ATT in Wake on a regular basis. Sometimes they will be on their horses and sometimes not. Their job is to remove horse dung from the trail surface, pick up the occasional litter, answer questions about the ATT and help serve as additional eyes on the trail. They wear distinctive blaze orange vests with "Volunteer" printed on the back and will probably have a dust pan in their hands!

Please thank them for their service.  Don't forget you can help too by packing your trash out and picking up and packing out at least one piece of trash, removing a fallen limb or kicking away some dry dung, on your trip to the ATT.

Of course, if you see anything of interest, or have any comments or questions feel free to contact ATT Manager Tony D'Amico at Tony.D'Amico@co.wake.nc.us , or me, billbus@gte.net and I'll pass it on.

Keep in mind that every effort will be made to keep the ATT clean and safe by staff and volunteers. As an ATT user, you can do your part as well by taking your trash home with you and respecting your fellow trail users. However, do note that part of the experience of a rural trail, and for being outside in general, are the occasional horse droppings, downed limbs, rough weather and bugbites. Take precautions for the things you can - like bugbites, hydration and the weather -and enjoy the American Tobacco Trail for the experience and treasure that it is.

Trail Etiquette Continued

Bring along a friend to enjoy the trail with you.

Say hello or at least offer a nod to fellow trail users. We've found that folks who use trails are about the friendliest folks around.

Don't use the ATT at night because unless you are a licensed hunter, it isn't open.

Bring along a cell phone if you have one.

If you see any suspicious behavior, contact 911 or Tony D'Amico at 919 387-2117

Don't leave valuables in parked vehicles.

Don't carry much cash or valuables with you.

Bring water with you. Currently there is no water available at trailheads.

Stay on the trail.

Take it slow and enjoy the scenery. Seven miles from end to end, and back, can take an hour and a half on a bike, and three hours or more on foot. On the paved ATT in Durham, it is a 13 mile round trip! Add another 3 miles if you do the Riddle Road Spur!  If you aren't experienced or in shape yet for these hikes or rides, do a shorter trip, and save the rest for later.

Remember, the more we use the American Tobacco Trail and other greenways throughout the Triangle, the safer they will be. Crime doesn't like crowds.
 
Also, the more we use the ATT and other area greenways, the better shape and fit YOU will be!

Again, we encourage all trail users to bring along a plastic grocery bag to pick up trash when using the ATT or any trail in the Triangle. Put a few in your daypack. You'll find trash cans located at many trailheads on the ATT in Wake county and in Durham. If everyone picked at least one piece of trash on their visit to the ATT, the ATT would soon be spotless. Please keep the ATT clean and green.

TRTC Opens A Store

A great way to help the American Tobacco Trail is to purchase ATT and TRTC logo items from our new store. Please visit   http://www.cafepress.com/trtc and check out the items we have listed there. These are made and shipped to order. I ordered a golf style shirt, a license plate frame and a sticker and am very satisfied with the quality and service. I'm ordering more soon! On neat feature added is that you can easily track your order on the site. We hope this will be of service to our members and trail users. Show your pride in the ATT! Please let us know what you think and feel free to suggest any items you'd like to see at our store.

If you or your organization would like to get a shop at your own, please check out the home page of the site. Please access the information site at : http://www.cafepress.com/cp/info/storeref.aspx?refby=trtc and tell them you heard it from TRTC.
 
Durham News

Southpoint Crossing Shopping Center Still Supposed to Install Bike Racks

Still no word from The Regency Centers  http://regencycenters.com/  manager of the Southpoint Crossing (Kroger) Shopping Center, about installing bike racks at the cener. We'll keep you informed.

We hope the Regency Center folks are still planning on installing bike racks at Southpont Crossing.  For the many cyclists who access this popular shopping center on the American Tobacco Trail from points such as Woodcroft, Hope Valley Farms, Fayetteville St. area, or even downtown and points off the trail; having bike racks available for the upcoming Spring, Summer and Fall prime trail use seasons will be a blessing!

TRTC and no doubt others have been working to try to get bike racks installed at this shopping center, in particular since it is at a unique location on the ATT. Apparently only one of Regency Centers properties - in Maryland - offered bike racks for their customers. We sincerely hope that Regency Centers management will follow through with this installation. We are delighted that they are seeing the importance of accomodating cyclists in particularly this heavily cyclist utilized facility.
 
Durham Trail Maps

There new maps of the ATT and other Durham Greenways available online for printing and download at the Durham Parks website: http://www.ci.durham.nc.us/departments/parks/trails.cfm
 
Adopt a Park and Trail Program
 
Durham Parks and Recreation now has an Adopt a Park and Trail program which allows groups and individuals to help care for Durham parks and trails by doing what you are probably already doing! If you or your organization enjoys the satifaction of making things better for your fellow citizens, you might want to find out more about the Adopt-a-Park and Trail program at:
http://www.ci.durham.nc.us/departments/parks/aap_brochure.pdf

TRTC Continues Construction of Phase E of ATT

TRTC has been working on construction of the ATT from Massey Chapel Rd. to the Chatham County line. Workdays are scheduled the first and third Saturdays of each month. Meet at 9 a.m. where the future ATT crosses Scott King Rd. in southern Durham County. For more information on these workdays contact Trail Boss, Thad Howard at:  Thad.Howard@duke.edu.
 
If you have not been out to this portion of the trail lately, the first thing you'll notice is the new information kiosk and trash cans at the trailhead at Scott King Road. These were constructed and installed by Will Renfrow and his team of fellow scouts of Troop 461 of Durham as part of his Eagle Scout project. Will planned, designed and managed the construction and installation of the kiosk and trash cans.

If you hike or ride north of Scott King Road you'll also notice some new split rail fence installed by Ken Langdon for his Eagle Scout project. Ken and his team installed almost 1000 feet of fence in two areas to make the trail safe for users. Ken wishes to thank, his scout team, TRTC volunteers and Fred Herndon, who graciously donated his time and tractor to drill the many fence holes needed for the fence installation.

TRTC is honored that these Scouts have chosen the ATT to do their project. The community will greatly benefit from them. While the fence project was largely paid for with a grant to TRTC from the Durham Open Space and Trails Commission, TRTC matched $250 for Will's kiosk project. Your TRTC membership dues go toward this and other worthwhile projects.

Working under a grant from the Durham Open Space and Trails Committee, and led by Thad Howard and others, volunteers are clearing trash and brush, improving drainage, filling in holes, installing fences and traffic control bollards, and making other improvements in order to get this portion of the trail open sooner than it normally would be without volunteer help. TRTC has written agreements with both the City and County of Durham, along with insurance to facilitate this work.

The City of Durham is supposed to eventually take over the management of this portion of trail when TRTC are finished with this construction. However, we have recently learned that TRTC will probably be managing this ourselves on at least an informal basis until the trail is built by Durham. Your membership and donations will help us keep this three-mile stretch of trail open for folks in the rapidly growing southern Durham area.

A BIG THANKS to everyone who has helped with this effort. Your hard work helps to s-t-r-e-t-c-h very limited grant funds. Though sometimes with the rains it is a bit muddy in places, we have made a LOT of improvement on the drainage of  this portion of the trail. Over 20 tons of trash have been removed in this area as well. It is open during daylight hours and used by many.

For Your Safety...

Please don't park directly in front of obvious trail or greenway entrances, in front of trail bollards or gates or where the greenways and trails obviously cross the road. This can prevent work and emergency vehicles from entering or exiting the trail if needed.

Also, the future ATT south of Massey Chapel Road accesses NC Wildlife Resources managed gamelands near the intersection of Massey Chapel Road and lands surrounding Northeast Creek. The ATT in Wake County also accesses NC Wildlife Resources managed gamelands. Hunters utilize the future ATT to access these gamelands.

Hunters, hikers and other trail users can all use the ATT together, however, it is recommended that everyone take appropriate precautions, follow any posted signage, stay on the trail unless hunting, and be aware of potential hunting in this area. Hunting season has started and will continue through the winter. It is beyond the scope of this email newsletter to describe the hunting season, rules and regulations. For more information on hunting please go to:  http://www.ncwildlife.com .

How to Help

If you want to help with this project we start at 9 a.m. at the trail crossing at Scott King Rd. on the first and third Saturdays of each month. All you need to bring is work gloves, a snack and water. If you have some tools that you want to bring, please check with the contacts below.

Please contact Thad Howard at Thad.Howard@duke.edu Hm. (919) 544-9126, Dan Clever daniel.clever@verizon.net  Hm. (919) 286-3827, or Bill Bussey at 919 545-9104 billbus@gte.net . Thad maintains a separate email list which he sends reminders of upcoming work days and tools that are needed. Please contact him if you'd like to be on that list.

I'd rather be Riding on the American Tobacco Trail!

Please get out and use the ATT and other area greenways and trails. Enjoying our trails and greenways not only helps your health, it demonstrates to municipal staff and elected officials and leaders that these facilities are needed and appreciated.

While you are on the greenways, why not carry along a plastic grocery bag and pick up at least one piece of trash.  If everyone picked up at least one piece of trash on their greenway visit, our trails and greenways would be spotless!
 
Chancellor's Ridge Trailhead Parking Facility Update

We got it! We finally received a grant from the National Recreational Trails program which is administered by NC State Parks to build the trailhead parking facility off of Fayetteville Road in southern Durham! This is great news! The Triangle Greenways Council www.trianglegreenways.org has taken possession of the future parking area and TRTC is managing it. We'll start working on this project this spring, provided all of the City of Durham red tape hassles can be worked out. Cudos to Thad Howard for leading the charge in working through the many bureaucratic challenges apparently necessary to complete this project.
 
Chatham County Lease is Complete!
 
Thanks to all of you who wrote letters and contacted the Chatham County Commissioners on this effort. Thanks also to members of the Jordan Lake Trails Conservation Association who brought over 30 of their members to the commissioners meeting in support of the ATT. Even now, every letter and email to any or all of the commissioners helps build the ATT in Chatham County.

See one of the newspaper articles linked above to learn the US Representative David Price has requested funds in the upcoming transportation bill to complete the American Tobacco Trail in Chatham County. This is super news!

ATT Workdays in Chatham County

TRTC is now hosting semi-regular workdays in which we clear and clean the future ATT in Chatham County. Thanks to the efforts and leadership of Steve Lund, we have hosted five major workdays in which between 20-40 were helped cut, clip and clear the future ATT of trash, trees, limbs and brush.

We have also done many more informal workdays with much smaller groups. We have some funding to purchase and install gates and traffic control devices at trail access points in Chatham. These will be installed in the next month or so. However, we still need funds to purchase gravel to fill mud holes, funds to help cut and move downed trees, among other things. Your tax deductible contributions help here!

Currently workdays are scheduled for the second and fourth Saturday's of each month at 8:30 a.m. at various meeting points. Our next workdays will be on Apri 10 and April 24. These days are scheduled so they will not conflict with the first and third Saturday workdays we have been holding, and will continue to hold, on the Massey Chapel to County Line and Chancellor's Ridge Parking area in southern Durham. Smaller Sunday workdays are also being scheduled depending on conditions.
  
If you can drag a limb or heft a log, we need you. You only need work gloves and appropriate clothing, water and snacks. If you want to help at these workdays, find out where the trail goes or want more info, please contact Bill Bussey  or Steve Lund.

Calling on all Scouts!

Working on the ATT is an excellent Boy or Girl Scout, or youth project. As described in the mention of the kiosk and fence construction above, projects on ATT make excellent Eagle Scout projects, or other community service project, that will challenge youths to grow in their leadership and organization building schools. The ATT is a community resource that will be enjoyed by generations to come. We welcome youth groups to come help build the American Tobacco Trail. Even if your group can spare only a morning or an afternoon, we need you. We can arrange something that will not only help the American Tobacco Trail, but make your group feel good about their accomplishment as well. Please contact Bill Bussey if you are interested in getting your Boy or Girl Scout, or other youth group involved.

Thanks to Old Chatham Golf Club

We'd like to thank Brian Powell, Superintendent at the Old Chatham Golf Club and his Senior Assistant Rick Henderson for their generosity in allowing us to store some of our equipment on golf course property. This has really helped our work efforts on the trail in the O'Kelly Chapel Road area. In talking with Brian, I was impressed with how much he, his staff, management and members of the Old Chatham Golf Club are concerned about the environment and want to make the Club one of the most environmentally friendly and supportive in the country. We thank them for their support of the American Tobacco Trail and look forward to working with them in the future.

Wake News
 
Lots of information above. Trail Volunteers have been organized. For more info on this contact Wake ATT Manager Tony D' Amico 2112 County Park Dr. New Hill, NC 27562 919 387-2117 Tony.D'Amico@co.wake.nc.us  .

FYI, Tony says the ATT is receiving over 1000 visitors per month, even during in the winter months. Many of these trail visitors are equestrians. These are solid numbers and really demonstrate the need for more rail-trails like the American Tobacco Trail.

More News from Wake

Wake County Parks ATT Manger Tony D' Amico earlier reported that Wake County has received funding for Phase 2 and 3 of the ATT in Wake County! Phase 2 would extend the trail from Wimberly Road to a parking area on the recently acquired Rafferty property on White Oak Church Road. Phase 3 would be installation of restrooms at least one of the trailheads.

This is great news and demonstrates continued progress on the ATT! This means it is critical to keep those cards, letters and emails to Chatham County Commissioners in order for them to see the need to support the ATT with planning and other funding. For the commissioners names and addresses see our website at http://triangletrails.org.

Also, please contact Congressman David Price and tell him you want him to do all he can to complete the American Tobaccco Trail as soon as possible.

Your Membership is Very Important

Your tax deductible membership contributions and donations help us match grants and pay for projects that help build the American Tobacco Trail. Because of City of Durham requirements we had to purchase more insurance for our trail workdays. Unfortunately insurance is a fact of life when doing almost anything these days. We just got the bill for insurance the upcoming year. Yep, just like your own personal or property insurance, it went up a substantial amount.

Because of the wetter than normal weather, Phase E construction will be higher than anticipated, necessitating additional funds to do the job right! And we are experiencing some additional costs related to our acquisition of the Chancellor's Ridge trailhead property. And funding for all Eagle Spur cleanups come completely from TRTC memberships and contributions.

Right now work in Chatham, from gravel to fill mud holes to any truck rentals to haul out downed trees is paid for with contributions and TRTC membership funds. Insurance costs $1,300/year, a load of gravel costs $250, a days rental of a chipper or Bobcat is $250, a tank of diesel fuel costs $20, an information kiosk costs $500-'$1000, brochures are 20 cents each. The list goes on...

Your tax-deductable (we're a 501 (c) (3) corporation ya' know!) contributions are very much welcomed to help us fund these projects so we can continue our work to build the American Tobacco Trail so you and everyone else can use it NOW.

Please note that the Triangle Rails-to-Trails Conservancy is not a chapter of, nor does it receive any funds or support from the national Rails to Trails Conservancy (RTC). RTC has offices in various states, (unfortunately not, NC) but no chapters. If you join RTC, the Triangle Rails-to-Trails Conservancy and the American Tobacco Trail receives no funding, nor any help from them. While RTC puts out a great magazine, and offers a nice website (of which we were the October Trail of the Month!, only by joining or making contributions to TRTC can you help build the American Tobacco Trail, as well as other rail trail projects in our area.

We hope you'll consider joining us as a new member, or renewing your membership in TRTC.  You can even now join or make a contribution online via PayPal at our site. So joining is easier than ever!

For a form to join the Triangle Rails-to-Trails Conservancy see our website at www.triangletrails.org. Or send $25 for an Individual membership, $35 for a Family, or a donation of any size, along with your name, address, phone, Email, and Comments on a piece of paper to: TRTC PO Box 61091 Durham, NC 27715-1091.

Thanks to the many who have recently joined and renewed their membership! We are utilizing these funds to meet necessary expenses and other important needs.

Another Way to Help TRTC and Build the American Tobacco Trail

For those of you who are Food Lion shoppers, and who have a Food Lion MVP card, we ask that you go to the Food Lion website and enter your MVP card number in the Food Lion Shop and Share program as instructed. TRTC will receive a portion of your total grocery purchase. This is a painless way to help TRTC build the American Tobacco Trail. It does not interfere with any promotions offered by using your MVP card. You also do not have to buy any MVP products to participate. All you need to do is have the cashier scan your registered MVP card with every purchase, no matter how small.

To sign up, please go to the following link: http://www.foodlion.com/shp_lssstart.asp

Click on Register MVP Cards. Select Add MVP Cards. You will not be able to do this if you are using a Netscape or Mozilla browser. (I'm in that boat!) In this case, either switch temporarily to Internet Explorer or phone them at the number given. You can also obtain an MVP card at the site. To find TRTC, at Select State box, select NC. At the Select City Box, scroll down to Durham. We are headquartered in Durham. At the Select Organization Box, scroll down or Follow the prompts to scroll down to Triangle Rails-to Trails Conservancy. 

This isn't the most intuitive site in the world. Call the number if you have any questions. Also, I'll be happy to help out as well.

Let me billbus@gte.net know if you have any questions or comments.

Buy A Board To Start Soon

We are gearing up for a "Buy A Board" program to raise matching funds to deck the Chatham County trestles. Though we hope these bridge decks will be paid largely with grants, there will probably be matches needed for these grants. This program's purpose is to raise matches for any grants. If a match isn't needed, then funds raised in this program will go directly toward building the ATT in Chatham County.

In this program, you'll be able to symbolically purchase one or more of the approximately 200 boards which will deck the bridges. You can have a small, approximately 2" x 3" plaque attached to or near the board, with your name, your family, friend, or memorial to a friend or loved one. You will be able to choose which board you want from a map of either the Northeast Creek or Panther Creek trestles.

Plans are still in the works for this project. We are getting some maps of the bridges drawn by Dave Alsobrooks who has graciously donated his talents to this project. We are also currently testing an inexpensive (so the most possible money goes toward the grant!) plaque design to see if they can hold up to the elements and actual trail use. These plaques will probably not be managed or replaced if destroyed, damaged or worn, so we want them to last as long as practical.

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Would you like to know how to reach the key people in your community who are working for greenways?

Every other month, TGC's E-Newsletter will deliver:

*The latest news on greenway programs in the Triangle region
*Volunteer opportunities
*Progress reports on greenway trails under construction
*Links to key organizations and individuals who support, build, and promote a network of Triangle greenways
*Links to articles and reports about greenways

If you would like to receive the Triangle Greenways Council e-newsletter, please send an e-mail to: trianglegreenways@yahoo.com and type "subscribe" in the subject line.

Thanks, and we look forward to informing you about Triangle Greenways!

Triangle Greenways Council Website Again Up and Running!

Due to popular demand,the Triangle Greenways website is again up and running at:  www.trianglegreenways.org. The site has several maps of Triangle area greenways that I'm sure you'll find informative. Yours truly is the current webmaster and is working hard to learn how to manage a website! If you are interested in being the webmaster for this site, I'd be delighted to talk with you about it. The site is now being hosted at www.RTPNet.org .They were a great help in setting up our site and domain. I recommend them highly.

Remove Me
  
If you'd like to be removed from this list, please email Bill Bussey at billbus@gte.net or 919 545-9104. You can also use this address for more information

Whew! There is a lot going on! If you are still with me, thanks for sticking through to the end. Hope you have fun with the links. Let me know if I can answer any questions or in any way be of help. Thanks again for all of your support. See you on the ATT.

Happy Trails,

Bill Bussey
President
Triangle Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
billbus@gte.net
919 545-9104