Rutherford Weekly

ISSUE NO. 16 • April 20, 2023 ISSUE NO. 16 • April 20, 2023 • • RutherfordWeekly.com • 828-248-1408 RutherfordWeekly.com • 828-248-1408 To donate, call 1-800-RED-CROSS or visit redcrossblood.org The need for blood is constant! Every 2 seconds someone in the US needs a blood transfusion! ©Community First Media Community First Media $$$ CASH ON THE SPOT BUYING & SELLING ANYTHING OF VALUE 828-289-6699 131 W Main St., Spindale Beside Barley's Over 34 years of service! Our 31 st Year • Over 25,000 Weekly Readers The State of North Carolina designated 2023 as the Year of the Trail and four months into the year, many of the Rutherford County trails continue to be visited every day by locals and tourists. 2023 marks the 50th year anniversary of the 1973 North Carolina Trails System Act and fortunately for people in the state and the millions who visit here each year, there are trails for everyone. The Year of the Trail's goal is to inspire people to try out trails, showcase trails' importance, boost recreation tourism, promote trails' safe and responsible use, and advance diversity and inclusion on trails. Rutherford County is home to dozens of trails for hiking, walking and biking. Along some trails are exercise equipment and benches for the enjoyment of those passing this way. Many of the trails offer water and picnic areas while others are more remote trails that require more serious hikers. From the 13.5 mile Thermal Belt Rail Trail from Forrest Hunt Elementary School to Gilkey to the shorter three miles of trails at Isothermal Community College, Rutherford County has something for everyone to get outdoors. There are four miles of hiking trails in Chimney Rock State Park. Some are ranked as diffi cult but the Great Woodlands Adventure Trail is an easy trail for families and children. There are child-friendly photograph opportunities along the trail. Summey Park in Forest City, Crestview Park and Kiwanis Park in Rutherfordton also have walking paths and trails as the Purple Martin Trail leads walkers into Kiwanis Park. There are six unique trails within the Chimney Rock portion of Chimney Rock State Park, and the Park staff is featuring a different one each month in celebration of the Year of the Trail. The Outcroppings Trail is special in many ways, said Park staff on the Facebook post. It's one of the most traffi cked in the Park because it takes hikers to the top of Chimney Rock. Those who choose not to take the elevator, the Outcroppings Trail is one to explore. It's also unique because it is made up of 500 stairs that navigate several rock outcroppings along the route to the Chimney. Before this network of stairs existed, the only way to access the top of the mountain was by donkey. The stairs have been updated many times in the last 100 years, most recently in the early 2010s. This trail is only about 0.5 miles round trip, but has often been called the ultimate stair master. The Thermal Belt Rail Trail with its 13.5 miles is also among the most widely used trails in the area since its completion in 2019. The more than $7 million, 12 foot wide trail was built with a number of partners in Forest City, Spindale, Rutherfordton, Ruth, Rutherford County and the RHI Legacy Foundation, among those. Facts prove the trail system connects communities and brings economic development to the area. It is estimated, said Rutherfordton Town Manager Doug Barrick, more than 100,000 people use the trail annually. It is particularly popular with cyclists as dozens are seen on the trail on any given good-weather day. The trail is used by residents and tourists and has become a destination trail for those outside of the county and state. When the Purple Martin Greenway was completed in Rutherfordton, there were obvious economic changes to the area. A bicycle shop opened, an ice cream store changed locations to be nearer the trail and a developer won town approval in 2019 to build Park Crossing, a 180-unit apartment complex at one end of the greenway. Barrick said in one interview some time ago, "None of that would have happened if not for a two-mile paved path that connects two parks." The trail allows visitors to explore wildlife, creeks, waterfalls and local plant life, not far from downtown. Children who visit the trail are known to play in the creek for as long as they can convince the adults who are along, it's the best day ever. "Our goal was to provide an avenue for community wellness, so our residents would have a better quality of life," he says. "These trails help bring people together. We've really seen it come together to build community." Continued on page 21. Article by Jean Gordon. Photos by Jan B. Cook Year of the Trail — Year of the Trail — hiking, cycling, paddling, walking APRIL 22 APRIL 22 Sisters Janalyn and Jessa Orwig of Catawba County enjoy the giant turtle shell on a recent visit to the Great Woodland Adventure at Chimney Rock State Park. A view of Chimney Rock on a clear, but extremely windy day at Chimney Rock State Park. Normally a U.S. fl ag fl ies on top of the rock but high wind warnings that day meant the fl ag was kept safe inside. Delaney McAnally and Alisa Hutchins of Forest City enjoy a walk on the ICC trail. A covered bridge on the Purple Martin Greenway. The Thermal Belt Rail Trail has great views and some of the old railroad crossing signs remain throughout the trail. The trails at Isothermal Community College are marked with lots of easy to follow signs. Something here Something here for everyone! for everyone! HOME & GARDEN EDITION OUR

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