OCTOBER 2004 ATT NEWSLETTER

Hi Friends of the American Tobacco Trail,

This is your last minute reminder about the monthly meeting of the Triangle Rails-to-Trails Conservancy Meeting (TRTC) coming up Monday, October 4, at 7:30 p.m. at the Woodcroft Professional Building at the intersection of Fayetteville Rd. and Woodcroft Parkway in south Durham.

Because of the Labor Day holiday, we as usual cancelled our September meeting, so there is a lot going on that we need to catch up on. 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 this is the first time we are 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.
 
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 . 
 
TRTC is Whole Foods Market Community Spotlight Organization for October

We are delighted and honored to be Whole Foods of Durham's Community Spotlight Organization for October. When you can, please visit Whole Foods Market at 621 Broad Street in Durham, and contribute your spare dollars and change in the boxes conveniently located at each check out register, and take a look at our display board as you exit the store.

Though at this writing, the boxes and display isn't yet set up ;-), It soon will be. You'll be able to see the American Tobacco Trail System map, as well as photos of our activities and the ATT itself, and pick up one of our brochures.

TRTC has been setting up ATT and Durham Greenways information tables once per month this summer 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.

Please make a special effort to shop at Whole Foods Market in Durham and help TRTC promote, construct and maintain the American Tobacco Trail. 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.
 
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.

Mower Purchased from Carolina Tarwheels Grant

Thanks to a grant from the Carolina Tarwheels Bike Club, TRTC earlier in the summer purchased a riding lawn mower to maintain the ATT in southern Durham and in Chatham counties. If you've been out on primarily the southern Durham portions (but also less often in Chatham too) of the ATT recently you'll notice that the grass is nicely cut even during this time of high grass growth.

Thanks to "Lawnmower Man" Cotten Tyler for cutting these miles of trail. For years, he has diligently used his own mower to mow the area primarily north of Scott King Road. With the new mower, he has been able to expand his horizons and get south of Scott King and into Chatham County. Cotten says the mower "cuts like a dream." TRTC wishes to thank the Carolina Tarwheels for their significant grant which made this possible.

Because of this regular mowing, many more folks are discovering this section of the ATT.

TRTC Volunteers Start Work on Parking Facility

And the walls are Tum-Bel-in down! TRTC volunteers have started construction work on an ATT Parking facility on Fayetteville Road, about 3/4 mile south of the Streets of Southpoint Mall. We started demolition of an existing structure and continued removal of a lot of trash and junk on the site. Though hampered by wet weather and a stuck truck (!), we are making progress in removing the structure.

We need help of lots more folks and volunteers who enjoy knocking things down as well as hauling them to the large dumpster. We need folks to help clear the brush around the grounds. Scouts and other volunteer groups are 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, with a watering trough, 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 Contract for Phase II of the ATT in Wake County Underway
 
Central Builders Inc. of Rocky Mount. Construction has begun construction on Phase II of the American Tobacco Trail in Wake County. In fact, according to the construction forman, as of last week, they were 2/3 complete with the construction of the trail itself. Construction of the parking facility at White Oak Church road was underway as well.

This section will run from the current end of the trail at Wimberly Road about 1.75 miles north to a new trailhead on White Oak Church Road. This facility will be equipped with composting toilets and equestrian and bus parking. In addition, the contract also includes a composting toilet for the existing New Hill-Olive Chapel Road Parking area. These additions will be very much welcomed by all trail users.

I was impressed with the care and expertise demonstrated by the builders when I visited with them one day last week. The foreman took time to answer my questions and answer the questions of an adjacent property owner who dropped by. The trail is being constructed with a geotextile underlayment for its entire length instead of only at the heavily used portions such as at road crossings and poorly drained areas. This will insure that this portion of the trail remains in good shape for years to come.

Please remember that this under construction portion of the ATT is very much off limits due to the construction activities. For your own safety, please do not access this portion of the trail, between the Wimberly Road trailhead north to the future White Oak Church Road trailhead, while under construction.

East Coast Greenway Tour to Stop in Durham on October 12, 13 and 14th

The First Annual East Coast Greenway Tour (at the site, click on the second bullet -labeled "here" at the top of the page) will be making riding the American Tobacco Trail and Ellerbee Creek Trails and making a rest stop in Durham on October 12 and 13.

Seven riders and two staff began their journey in Calais, Maine on September 12, and are following the future route of the East Coast Greenway down the coast to Key West, Florida with a planned arrival in early November.

The neat thing is that this is the first time any rider or group of riders have traversed a route which is known as the East Coast Greenway. Most of these riders are over 50. One rider, Carroll Webber, is from Greenville, North Carolina. Go to the site to find out how you can contribute to his ride. Another rider, Anne Kruimer, doesn't have the use of her legs. This is a very neat group! They are riding existing greenway trails which are part of the ECG and the surface roads which connect them.

Check out Tour rider Myron Scott's weblog, updated daily, to get an idea of how the Tour is going. These are mostly audio logs, but feature photos and text as well. This site is really cool!  Riding up to 80 miles per day, cyclists will particularly appreciate these logs, but everyone else will too!

The American Tobacco Trail and Ellerbee Creek trails in Durham are designated portions of the ECG, so they coming through Durham and the Triangle.

Because of Durham and the Triangle's support for the ECG, they are having a rest day here. The Tour will be spending the night at the Greystone Inn in Durham, have breakfast with the butterflies at the NC Museum of Life and Science, be supported by the Durham Convention and Visitors Bureau, have dinner at the home of Diane Daniels and meet local folks and press at a potluck at the Durham Armory on Wednesday night October 13. They will depart Durham for Erwin, NC and the Dunn-Erwin Trail early on Thursday.

This potluck is being hosted by the Carolina Tarwheels Bike Club and Durham Parks and Recreation. It starts at 6:30 p.m. at the Durham Armory 220 Foster Street in the center of Durham, at the corner of the Downtown Durham Loop (Morgan St.) and Foster. 

All who are interested in the East Coast Greenway, the American Tobacco Trail, long distance bike rides, and bicycle and pedestrian trails are welcome. This will be a great opportunity to meet the riders and hear about their experiences. Since it is a potluck, please bring something to share. However, no RSVP is necessary. For more information, please contact David Connelly.

We want to thank Whole Foods Market, Elmo's Diner, Carolina Tarwheels, Durham Cycle Center, Durham Parks and Recreation, Durham Convention and Visitors Bureau, the NC Museum of Life and Science and other sponsors, I've forgotten to mention or have yet to join in (we still can use your help!) for their help in making this stop on a 2600-mile ride as fun as possible.

Thanks and Kudos to lots of Folks

In addition to all of the folks connected with the links above we'd like to thank the following individuals and organizations who have helped TRTC and the American Tobacco Trail over the past several months.

Jonathan Murphy of Murphy and Sacks Surveyors for their great work and patience in our Parking facility project.

Attorney Ken Embrey and staff for their help on the Parking facility.

Mr. Jim Slade, adjacent property owner of the ATT in Chatham County for his support of TRTC's trail construction and maintenance activities.

Mr. Brian Powell, Rick Henderson and staff of the Old Chatham Golf Club for his and their support of the ATT.

Mr. Adam Newton for his donation of broken cement to fill holes on the ATT in Chatham County.

Tammi Flocare and the staff of Whole Foods Market in Durham for their gracious support and hospitality of TRTC and the ATT.

Lydia Krause, Steve Bailey, Dan Jewell and other staff of Coulter, Jewell and Thames  for their design, planning and patience in working on our projects.

Cotten Tyler for mowing the American Tobacco Trail in southern Durham and Chatham  county during an especially wet summer.

Mary Gibbs of the Woodcroft Community Association for their support of TRTC and the
American Tobacco Trail. We have held our meetings in their Community Room and they are the very best of hosts!

Durham County Commissioner Ellen Reckow for her continued support and committment to making the ATT happen in Durham and the Triangle.

Durham County Commissioner Becky Heron for her continued support to making the ATT happen in Durham.

Former Wake County Commissioner Yvonne Brannon for making the funding of the ATT possible. All those who walk, ride and wheel on the ATT in Wake County are thankful for your foresight and expertise.

Chatham County Parks and Recreation Director Tracy Burnett and Chatham County Manager Charlie Horne for their continued support of the American Tobacco Trail project in Chatham County.

Heather Phillips and other staff of REI in Durham for their continued support of the ATT and TRTC this summer.

Tony D'Amico and Debra Bradsher of Wake County Parks for letting TRTC install brochure holders at their facilities.

Beth Timson, Cheri Smith, Kim Douglass of Durham Parks and Planning, and the volunteer members of the Durham Open Space and Trails Commission for their continued support of the ATT and TRTC this summer.

Tony Reevey for a yet unpublished "Guide to the American Tobacco Trail", coming soon to www.triangletrails.org .

Wayne Horton for his work and patience on ATT User Maps, coming soon.

All of YOU who have contributed your time and money to support TRTC and our efforts to open the American Tobacco Trail as soon as possible here in the Triangle.

All those who I've missed in some manner who have contributed your time and efforts to move the ATT forward this summer.

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! The Fall is the BEST time to visit this beautiful trail.
 
With the rainy weather of late, the colors are expected to be especially vibrant. With the cooler weather, the bugs are thinning and will soon be gone. You now officially have no excuse to miss visiting the American Tobacco Trail in Wake County.

The trail surface in Wake is composed of granite screenings, which is 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 7:30 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 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

Need Fall Color Photos!

Speaking of colors, the American Tobacco Trail is featured as one of the Top Ten Walking/Riding Trails for Fall Foliage Viewing in the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy's (RTC) website. As you can see we are in good company, joining nine other beautiful rail tralls throughout the US. Note that TRTC is not connected with the RTC, nor receives any funding whatsoever, at any time, from them.

The only problem is that we didn't have any Fall Foliage photos to send the RTC. I guess we've been too busy building the ATT during recent fall foliage season!

Sooooo, those of you with cameras, please take some Fall foliage photos while on the American Tobacco Trail this October and November. Photos featuring the identifiable ATT in Durham, Chatham and Wake counties are very much needed. Please get some people using the trail in them. If you like the photo, others will too. Please send them to TRTC webmaster Curt Devereux, and/or me, and we'll get them up on our website. We'll mention the contributions in our upcoming ATT News.

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 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 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 - 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 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

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 
(last minute update below!)

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!

However, recently Kim Douglass of Durham Parks and Recreation reports 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 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, 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.

Last Minute Update on ATT Funding on I-40 bridge and Chatham County

The TEA-21 Transportation funding has been delayed yet again to Memorial Day 2005. This means that unless it is passed in a lame duck session after the November elections, it will be the middle of 2005 before we can think about getting funding for the ATT bridge over I-40 and for completion of the ATT in Chatham County.

The good news is that Representative Price, who represents all of area on which the ATT is located, has reiterated his focus on earmarks for completion of the ATT in Durham and Chatham counties, as well as funds to help purchase the Timberlake Trail rail line north of Durham, and Durham Beltway rail line in Durham. It's been reported that he will address the importance of these earmarks in the subcommittee.

We thank Congressman Price for he and his staff's efforts to fund the completion of the ATT. We cross our fingers that the current Federal Transportation bill, HR 3550, is passed with funding for the ATT intact. It will be a great day for the entire Triangle when the entire ATT is complete!

Please email US Representative David Price and tell him that you want him to do all he can to find funding to finish the American Tobacco Trail. His Transportation Staffer is Susan Howard which is where they will eventually go to. Tell him that you'd like him to do all he can to find funds quickly - maybe outside the Transportation Bill - to help insure that the American Tobacco Trail bike and pedestrian bridge over I-40 is more than the "bare bones" CorTen steel variety. Triangle residents, I-40 commuters and ATT users deserve more than a "bare bones" bridge over an artery serving almost a hundred thousand vehicles per day.

Another key player is US Representative Howard Coble, who is on the House Transportation Committee. Please feel free to email  Legislative Assistant Robbie Boone who actually sits in the the Transportation Committee meetings (boooring!) and tell him to do all he can to ensure the American Tobacco Trail in Durham and Chatham counties keeps its funding in the Transportation Bill.

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 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.

Durham Planning Bureaucracy is Alive and Well

Just a quick note that the Durham Planning Department Staff is working diligently to make sure that we nonprofits, as well as development professionals with paid staff, have to work very hard and jump (and often, rejump) through many hoops in a serial manner to move things through Planning.
 
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 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 thirdSaturdays 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.

Good Articles on the American Tobacco Trail

Here is an article from The Cary News on the American Tobacco Trail.

Here is a PDF link an interesting article on the ATT from the Newspapers in Education Program.
http://www.ncpress.com/Foundation/Trails/baccobw.pdf

Let us know if you see any other interesting articles on the ATT.

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!
    
ATT Workdays in Chatham County

TRTC has been hosting semi-regular workdays in which we clear and clean the future ATT in Chatham County. Including the very successful National Trails Day workday with REI (see above) more than 100 people have contributed over 1100 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!

With hot weather and full undergrowth upon us we have cut back on the scheduled second and fourth Saturday's in Chatham County. However, we will be scheduling these periodically from time to time on an as needed basis. We have a separate trail workday list which you can email trtc-volunteers-owner@rtpnet.org to join. 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 want to help at these workdays, find out where the trail goes or want more info, please contact Bill Bussey 

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.

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.

More Chatham News
 
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. 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. The two trestles over Northeast and Panther Creek's need to be decked in order to complete the ATT.

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.

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.
 
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, 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.

NC Rail-Trails Meeting in Triangle

I think NC Rail-Trails will be meeting on Saturday, October 9 at 10 a.m. at the Jordan Lake State Recreation Area offices on US 64. I'm unsure of the details, and the NC Rail-Trails website doesn't mention the meeting, however, I'm pretty sure they are meeting then. If you are interested in this very worthwhile organization, and the meeting send an email to : infodepot@ncrail-trails.org or contact their chair, Carolyn Townsend at 919-542-5422.
 
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 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