Hi Friends of the American Tobacco Trail,

Happy New Year!

Hope your 2005 will be a great one!

This is your last minute reminder about the monthly meeting of the Triangle Rails-to-Trails Conservancy Meeting (TRTC) coming up Monday, January 3, (that is tonight!) at 7:30 p.m. at the Woodcroft Professional Building at the intersection of Fayetteville Rd. and Woodcroft Parkway in south Durham.

This is your first American Tobacco Trail News since October. There have been a number of things happening since then. We'll be discussing progress on both the Southern Section of the ATT that we are maintaining and managing for Durham, as well as the trailhead parking facility we are constructing on Fayetteville Road. We'll also discuss other progress on the ATT and our other activities.
 
We hope you can make it to the meeting.

Quick Note

Please note we are now utilizing an email list server run by our website provider, www.RTPNet.org. You can easily remove yourself from this list serve by following the link at the bottom of this message. Or you can contact me at billbus@gte.net  as well.

Also, we know that this is the second time you've heard from us in the past week or so. Just after Christmas, we sent out our 2004 Progress Report and Annual Appeal. For those of you who have responded to that Appeal, THANK YOU! If you haven't, then there are links from here you can do so!

A lot of the information here is stuff we didn't have room for in that overview of our activities. So you'll find a lot of new stuff here, as well as an update on some material from previous ATT News.
 
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 .  You can join TRTC or make a contribution via PayPal here right now.

Webmaster Curt Devereux has recently put up a page with Directions to locations of where to access the ATT on trail workdays. He'll be putting up a page of regular trail access points as well. This is part of our new Volunteering page. He'll also be putting up links to the previous four of these ATT News as well, though they aren't up yet! Check out the News page at www.triangletrails.org for more info and the latest news.

American Tobacco Trail Set to Receive Funding in Federal Omnibus Spending Bill

According to Susan Howard of Representative David Price's office, the ATT will receive just under $1M in the Federal Omnibus Spending Bill, apparently signed by the President on December 8, 2004. I'm not sure about the signing, as this signing is from a press report from December 9.

Ms. Howard notes that funds for the ATT would be distributed by NCDOT and perhaps other state agencies. They probably become available locally toward the middle of 2005. We'll keep you informed about this as we gather more news.

We hope that Durham and Chatham counties will agree to split these funds in an equitable manner between themselves. While we support Durham's desire for additional funds to complete a "better than bare bones" bridge across I-40, and for completion of the trail to the county line; we also hope that at least some of these funds will be used for at least one major ATT project (a bridge deck perhaps?) in Chatham County, in which other than for TRTC's clearing and maintenance efforts, have not yet started construction at all. You can rest assured that TRTC will assist in any way we can in this effort.

Representative Price has also requested additional funding for the American Tobacco Trail in the upcoming 6 Year Transportation Bill. This bill has been postponed several times already with funding carrying on at previous years levels. We hope that the 109th Congress passes this bill and the President signs it in an expedient manner.

TRTC Volunteers Continue Work on Parking Facility

And the walls came down! TRTC volunteers continued construction work on an ATT Parking facility on Fayetteville Road, about 3/4 mile south of the Streets of Southpoint Mall. We completed demolition and hauling away of one major and two minor structures and continued removal of a lot of trash and junk on the site. A significant amount of material, including brick, cement blocks and wood was recycled from the demolition, and will be hopefully used at the site and other places on the ATT.

We'll continue to clean and clear the brush from the site. Our next major step is to hire a grading contractor to grade the site and build the parking area.

We need help of lots more folks and volunteers to help clear the brush around the grounds as well as other parts of the project.

Scouts and other volunteer groups are especially welcome and needed!

Thanks to a grant from the National Recreational Trails Fund, and assistance from the Triangle Greenways Council, which owns the property, TRTC is constructing this 12-vehicle parking area for public access to the American Tobacco Trail. The facility will allow for equestrian and pet access, but will be too small for equestrian trailer parking. When completed, it will be donated to the City of Durham Parks and Recreation Dept. for use by the public for years to come.

A grant from REI will allow us to connect this facility to the ATT with a short bridge.

This will be an important project for TRTC over the coming months. Please come out and help us out any way you can. Your monetary contributions or contributions of time will help us complete this project sooner.

Construction of Phase II of the ATT in Wake County Underway
 
Construction of Phase II of the American Tobacco Trail in Wake County is nearing completion. Most of the trail is complete, but is not yet open. Construction on the parking facility at White Oak Church road is underway, and barring bad weather, which has delayed construction; should be complete by March. The new restroom facilities will not be complete until after April or so.

This section will run from the current end of the trail at Wimberly Road about 1.5 miles north to a new trailhead on White Oak Church Road. This facility will be equipped with composting toilets and equestrian and bus parking. Also being constructed are composting toilets for the existing New Hill-Olive Chapel Road Parking area. These additions will be very much welcomed by all trail users.
 
Wake County Parks ATT Manager Tony D'Amico said late last week that both the trail and parking area north of Wimberly Road are construction zones and thus not open for use. They have not yet been turned over to Wake County by the contractor. He says for your own safety, please do not access  the White Oak Creek parking area, or the portion of the trail between the Wimberly Road trailhead north to the future White Oak Church Road trailhead, while under construction.

Hours of operation in Wake County are daily 8 a.m. to an hour before sunset.  Right now, the ATT closes about 5:00 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 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 Bradsher at 919 387-2117

Parking and Trailhead Access Areas in Wake County

There are two trailhead parking areas on the Wake County portion of the ATT. 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 right 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-Holleman 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.
 
TRTC Can't Do It Alone

TRTC and other governmental organizations working on the ATT have received grants in the past from Carolina Tarwheels Bike Club , Durham Open Space and Trails Commission, NC State Adopt-A-Trail Program, Triangle Community Foundation, REI 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.


TRTC was Whole Foods Market Community Spotlight Organization in October

We were delighted and honored to be Whole Foods of Durham's Community Spotlight Organization for October. Located at 621 Broad Street in Durham, Whole Foods Market invited TRTC to set up a display map and provide other information on our activites during the month of October.  They set up collection boxes at each checkout stand so folks could donate their spare change to TRTC. This was very successful. Thanks to all of you who contributed.

TRTC has been setting up ATT and Durham Greenways information tables once per month this summer and fall at Whole Foods Market in Durham. We've met and gotten to know many of you here, as well as offered the latest info on the progress of the ATT. We've also been encouraging folks to use the ATT and other great greenways and trails throughout Durham and Triangle.

The Triangle Trails Conservancy is grateful for Whole Foods Community Liaison Tammi Floccare for giving us these opportunities to share with our community our maintenance and trail management activities and to promote the use of the American Tobacco Trail and other greenways in the Triangle.
 
We welcome those contributions which we'll use to continue our construction, maintenance and management activities which have opened the ATT in southern Durham and Chatham counties for safe public use NOW instead of having to wait three or more years for the governments to build, open and manage the trail.
  
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 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 overtake a horse, cyclist, walker or runner 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 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.

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.

The American Tobacco Trail is Outside

Duh!   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 bug and tick bites, hydration and the weather (Is it drizzling? Is it cold?) - 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.

The ATT is only open during daylight hours.

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 to explore 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

Speaking of stores, 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

Durham Trail Maps

There are 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
 
I-40 Bridge Project Update 

The most frequently asked question we get at our recent information booth and tables at Festival for the Eno, at the Durham Earthday and recently at Whole Foods Market in Durham is: 'When will they finish the ATT (or Bike/pedestrian) bridge over I-40?"  Our answer - two years, though I've been saying that for the past four years!

The last update we have is that the process to begin planning for this bridge is currently being held up in the offices of the NCDOT. We aren't sure what department(s) of NCDOT are placing a hold on this project. We'll let you know as soon as we do!

Kim Douglass of Durham Parks and Recreation earlier reported that Durham Parks will finally initiate the process of planning and design for the American Tobacco Trail bridge over I-40 soon with the delayed start of a previously awarded contract with Parsons Brinckerhoff.  Though funds are in place for a "bare bones"  Corten (rust colored steel) bridge, similar to the ATT bridges over University Drive and Roxboro Street in Durham, it is hoped that additional funding, such as those requested by US Representative David Price in the next Transportation Bill in Senate/House conference committee, or perhaps in the Omnibus Spending Bill, described above, can be found to build the bridge in a more architecturally significant manner.

Durham Parks had been delaying starting this process in hopes of receiving these funds soon. However, because this funding has been delayed due to federal politics, there is no firm date on when/if they will become available. With the already obtained grant funding needing to be spent soon or risk losing it, Parks is starting the design process now with two styles of bridges proposed. Plan A will either a "bare bones" Corten steel bridge, with a Plan B being something a bit more worthy of a crossing over the major artery of I-40.

TRTC feels it would be good to find additional funding for a better, Plan B "architecturally significant" bridge over I-40.  I've written below on how to write our Representative Price on requesting funds sooner. There must be other sources of these funds, perhaps private or state, to make up the differene in the short run. Please feel free to write or call if you have any ideas.

If all goes well, we should have an American Tobacco Trail bridge across I-40 in the next two or three years.
  
TRTC Continues Construction of Durham South portion 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 new Trail Bosses, Frank Bennett and Curt Devereux .
    
Working under a grant from the Durham Open Space and Trails Commission, and led by Thad Howard and others, volunteers have been 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. Your donations also help us on the 3.5 mile section in Chatham County too!

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 emergency and work 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 will continue through the winter. It is beyond the scope of this 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. As mentioned above, we'll be doing a lot of work at the ATT parking area on Fayetteville Road, about 2 miles from the Scott King Road crossing this summer. If you don't see anyone at Scott King Road at 9 or 9:30 on Saturday morning, come on up to Fayetteville Road, where it crosses over the ATT about a mile south of I-40, and you'll probably see us there.

We'll also be working on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays this Fall on the ATT in Chatham County. Meet at the trail crossing of O'Kelly Chapel Road at 9 a.m. If you have any questions, contact the  folks below.
 
All you need to bring to any workday are work gloves, a snack and water. Stay for only an hour, or for more than an hour. We need you as long as you are able. If you have some tools that you want to bring, please check with the contacts below.

Please contact Frank Bennett  Hm. 919 851-3992, Curt Devereux Hm.919-544-3948, or Bill Bussey at Hm. 919 545-9104 for more info on Trail workdays.

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!
    
Chatham Update

Great News from Chatham County!

Chatham County Parks and Recreation Director Tracy Burnett reports that the ATT is budgeted for $100 K in Chatham County's Fiscal Year 2006 budget. These funds would be used to match grants as needed to construct the American Tobacco Trail in Chatham County. While these funds are subject to the budgetary process and would have to be approved by the entire Board of Commissioners, this does represent another commitment from Chatham County for the American Tobacco Trail.

With this progress 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. Tell them thanks for the budgetary funding, and urge them to continue their support for the American Tobacco Trail. 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 in Chatham as soon as possible. The two trestles over Northeast and Panther Creek's need to be decked in order to complete the ATT. The trail itself in Chatham needs to be constructed and signage installed. Unlike Durham and Wake counties, Chatham doesn't have the large urban constituent base or lobbyists to ask for his support of Chatham County projects. Thus, your letters, emails and phone calls thanking him for he has done and asking him to do all he can for particularly Chatham County, carries significant weight here.

Chatham Recreation Advisory Board Awards Grant to TRTC

In a further demonstration of commitment to the American Tobacco Trail, the Chatham County Recreation Advisory Board in the Fall awarded TRTC grant funds for up to three gates for additional trail crossings in Chatham County.

ATT Workdays in Chatham County begin again for Winter

TRTC will start up 2nd and 4th Saturday workdays in Chatham County starting this month.

Want to know more? We have a separate trail workday list which you can email trtc-volunteers-owner@rtpnet.org to join. You can find We'll keep those on this list informed of workdays in both Chatham and Durham counties.

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 have a chain saw and want to use it for the ATT, please let us know. If you want to help at these workdays, find out where the trail goes or want more info, please contact Bill Bussey 

Last year TRTC hosted semi-regular workdays in which we cleared and cleaned the future ATT in Chatham County. Including the very successful National Trails Day workday with REI on June 5, 2004, more than 100 people have contributed over 1200 person-hours to clip and clear the ATT of trash, trees, limbs and brush, as well as remove trash and junk piles, fill holes and do some grading, mowing the trail surface

We have also done many more informal workdays with smaller groups. Traffic control gates have now been installed at three road intersections in Chatham County. However, we still need funds to purchase gravel to fill mud holes, funds or tractor grader donations to grade and level the trail surface, cut and move downed trees, among other things. Your tax deductible contributions help here!
 
TRTC is working with Chatham County Parks to develop a Memorandum of Agreement about possibly constructing and maintaining on approximately three miles of American Tobacco Trail in Chatham. Your membership and donation dollars will help us a lot here in Chatham. Stay tuned...

Scouts! Where are You?!

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.
 
More Chatham News

Wake News
 
See 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.

Please feel free to write the Wake County Commissioners and County Manager to ask staff to purposefully work with Chatham County and TRTC to connect both the Wake and Chatham portions of the ATT as a natural surface trail sooner or NOW rather than later.

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 greater than expected challenges with City of Durham beauracracy, we are experiencing some additional costs related to our construction of the Chancellor's Ridge trailhead. Your membership and donations help that effor.

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 $25, 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!) cash and in-kind 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.
 
Sign Up Now For The Triangle Greenways Council E-Newsletter

Are you interested in greenways advocacy for the Triangle region?
Do you want to keep up with the latest developments regarding Triangle greenways?
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!

Board Members for Worthy Trail Organizations Wanted

If you've read this far, you must really care about trails and greenways in the Triangle!

If so, you are a perfect candidate for the Board of either the Triangle Rails-to-Trails Conservancy or the Triangle Greenways Council. If you are interested in serving on the Board of one of these fine organizations, or know someone who might be a good candidate, please contact Bill Bussey.

All we ask is that Board members attend most regularly scheduled meetings. TRTC meets the first Monday of each month in southern Durham. TGC meets the 4th Monday of each month in Raleigh, at The Healing Place, near the State Farmers Market. Serving on one of these boards is a great way to be of service to the community. We are accomplishing a lot and working to make the Triangle better! Many of our members have gone on to bigger and better things! We welcome your participation.
 
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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 follow the links to trtc-news@rtpnet.org at the bottom of this page. You can also use these addresses 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