Great Trails State Program invests $1.4 million to support North Carolina’s East Coast Greenway

RALEIGH, North Carolina — Governor Josh Stein announced more than $1.4 million in state support of East Coast Greenway trail development and restoration in North Carolina — with the East Coast Greenway Alliance playing a key role in securing these vital investments. 

 The funds were authorized by the General Assembly as part of the Great Trails State Program. 

 Led by North Carolina Manager Andrew Meeker, the Alliance supported four partner communities — including collaboration on shared projects — in developing successful grant applications, resulting in significant investment in East Coast Greenway initiatives: 

• Pender County: East Coast Greenway Alliance, $177,200 for East Coast Greenway Country Club Drive Corridor NC-210 MUP

• Durham County: City of Durham, $500,000 for American Tobacco Trail maintenance 

• Durham County: Durham County, $500,000 for Durham-to-Roxboro Rail Trail corridor acquisition

• Johnston County: Johnston County, $225,000 for Neuse River Trail corridor acquisition

“This vital investment will help advance the East Coast Greenway in North Carolina, expanding access to healthy recreation and safe, active transportation across our corridor,” said Meeker. “We’re deeply grateful to the North Carolina General Assembly and the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources for their leadership in creating and administering this impactful program.”

An additional $1 million awarded will support improved facilities and amenities that directly connect with the East Coast Greenway, including:

• Johnston County: Town of Selma, $500,000 for Selma MST Nature Preserve Trail Phase I

• New Hanover County: City of Wilmington, $500,000 for bridge and boardwalk reconstruction in Greenfield Park

“This funding will spur local tourism and encourage more people to explore North Carolina’s incredible beauty,” Gov. Stein said.

The Great Trails State Program was established in 2023 by the North Carolina General Assembly with an initial $25 million allocation as a direct result of advocacy by the Great Trails State Coalition, of which the East Coast Greenway Alliance is a founding member.

The Coalition worked closely with legislative champions to establish the program, and then with the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources to develop the implementation of the program. Click for a full list of projects funded by the Great Trails State Program. 

“Trails bring incredible benefits to both urban and rural communities, boosting tourism and economic development,” said Pamela B. Cashwell, secretary of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. “This generous funding, made possible by the North Carolina General Assembly, will help transform the state trails system in the Great Trails State.”

“The 125 member organizations of the Great Trails State Coalition thank the North Carolina General Assembly for creating and funding the Great Trails State Program,” said Palmer McIntyre, director of the North Carolina Great Trails State Coalition. “This visionary investment in all types of trails across the state will deliver transformative economic, health, and quality-of-life benefits for communities of all sizes. The Coalition will continue to work alongside North Carolina State Parks to support this program.” 

The East Coast Greenway, an in-development, 3,000-mile network of connected trails that extends the entire length of the Eastern Seaboard, was designated a North Carolina State Trail in 2021 and includes nearly 800 miles of existing and planned route in North Carolina. More than 40% of the state’s population lives within 25 miles of the East Coast Greenway State Trail route, and approximately 1 million people live within a half-mile walk of the route.