Read more press releases

For Immediate Release
January 09, 2009


Cramerton became the first community to adopt a Greenway Master Plan through the Carolina Thread Trail planning process. This plan is the outcome of a year-long public process spearheaded by the Carolina Thread Trail initiative and led by a steering committee of representatives from municipal and county governments as well as interested organizations, businesses and individuals.

In December 2007, Gaston County and York County received the first two grants awarded from the Carolina Thread Trail. These Planning Grants provided funding and resources to create a blueprint for a comprehensive multi-use network of trails. On January 6, 2009, the Town of Cramerton was the first community to adopt output of this community led process, the Carolina Thread Trail Master Plan for Gaston County Communities.

“To build a regional network of this scope, it will take many communities acting locally, but in a coordinated fashion. Congratulations to Cramerton for being the first to get the ball rolling,” said Ann Browning, Carolina Thread Trail Project Director.

The Greenway Master Plan outlines a means for long-term coordination of greenway and trail development within the county, cities and towns. It presents a plan to integrate all existing and proposed municipal and county trails with additional greenway/trail segments. Together these trails will create a comprehensive, multi-use network for connecting people, natural areas and destinations to each other and surrounding counties.

The Carolina Thread Trail’s mission is to bring resources to the 15 county region in the south-central piedmont of North Carolina and the north-central portion of South Carolina in order to create an interconnected trail system with major regional trails designated as The Carolina Thread Trail.




The Carolina Thread Trail (The Thread) is a 15-county, two state initiative designed to inspire and facilitate the creation of a regional network of trails, blueways, and conservation corridors that will grow together over time linking more than 2.3 million citizens. With technical resources and catalytic funding from The Thread, local communities will plan and implement their portions of this green interstate system. Catawba Lands Conservancy is the lead agency for the Thread, working in partnership with the Trust for Public Land, Foundation For The Carolinas, and many local partners.