Purpose
NCRT monitors the state's rail system, actively pursues corridor preservation, retrieval and conversion to public trails. NCRT fosters local leadership and currently supports local rail-trail initiatives throughout the state. NCRT provides coordination between local, state and federal agencies, allied state and national organizations, and project funding sources. A primary instrument in this networking is the NCRT newsletter, "Little Toot," which has been published quarterly since 1989. The Board of Directors meets quarterly throughout the state at project locations. The members of the Board represent bicycling, hiking, equestrian, historic, conservation, preservation and economic development interests. In July 2010, Carrie Banks joined NCRT as it's first Executive Director. The position will be the first staff position for NCRT, founded in 1989, which has until this time been an all-volunteer organization.
Please take a look at our Report of 2009 Activities and FACT SHEET
Rail-trails can serve diverse users. Portions of the American Tobacco Trail in Chatham County have both a 10' asphalt section and a parallel 6' granite screenings section preferred by runners and equestrians.
Primary Objectives
- Establish regional demonstration rail-trails of state significance.
- Obtain favorable rail corridor preservation and interim trail legislation.
- Assist multiple local rail-trail corridor initiatives throughout North Carolina.
- Foster a statewide network of non-motorized commuting and recreation trails.
Bailey & Dixon assisted in forming the NC Rail-Trails Plenary Committee, which during 1994-95 conducted an intensive study of state legal and administrative hurdles that inhibit rail corridor preservation. More than 25 railroad executives, private and public attorneys, deputy state secretaries, state administrators and departmental policy advisors participated in the review.
History
North Carolina Rail-Trails began as a steering committee June 3, 1988, at the North Carolina Greenways Conference in Charlotte, was incorporated March 12, 1990, and received IRS 501(c)(3) status Dec. 30, 1990. The corporate address is PO Box 61348, Durham, NC 27715-1348. NCRT is a member of North Carolina Land Trusts and a charter member of Earth Share of North Carolina (formerly Environmental Federation of North Carolina), the North Carolina Conservation Network and the North Carolina Center for Non-Profits. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) of Eastern North Carolina recently notified us that that we meet all of their 20 accountability standards and have been designated as an Accredited Charity. Feel free to browse NCRT's Reliability Report. Bailey & Dixon of Raleigh represents NCRT's legal interests and assists in legislative development.
Operations
Since 2002 NCRT played a significant role in establishing these regionally significant rail-trails:
A public contact and project coordination office is maintained by Carrie Banks, our new Executive Director, in Carrboro. Carrie can be reached by phone at 919 428-7356 or by Email at execdirector@ncrailtrails.org
Meetings
NCRT's Board of Directors meets quarterly at various locations throughout North Carolina. Most recently we conducted our Summer Meeting of the BOD on Saturday, July 10th in Franklin. Our next meeting will be NCRT's 21st Annual Meeting and is scheduled for 10:30am to 1:30pm on Saturday October 9th. The meeting will be held in the Woodcroft Community Room, 5501 Fortunes Ridge Drive, Durham 27713. Our meeting room is located adjacent to the American Tobacco Trail so after the meeting we'll have a chance to walk or ride a bit on the ATT.
Pictures from Washington-Greenville Greenway discussions at our January 9th Board Meeting PIC #1 PIC #2
NCRT's Page on Facebook
View PDF file of NCRT By-laws effective 1-1-2010
View Our Calendar for R-T Events in North Carolina
Reports from prior Board meetings.
Our Photo-Gallery of Some Rail-Trails in North Carolina
You can support the creation of rail-trails in North Carolina by joining NCRT.
