Orange County NC Website
11 <br /> WHEREAS, the trails that span across our community are an integral part of the recreational and <br /> transportation possibilities of our area and promote an enjoyment of scenic beauty by residents <br /> and visitors; and <br /> WHEREAS, the parks, greenways, trails and natural areas in our community are welcoming to all <br /> and provide a common ground for people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds to access our rich <br /> and diverse natural, cultural, and historic resources; and <br /> WHEREAS, Orange County's natural assets and resources are integral to disaster recovery and <br /> resiliency to climate change for future generations; and <br /> WHEREAS, Orange County trails and others across the state connect people, towns, natural <br /> areas, parks and open space, and other cultural and natural resources, with Orange County's <br /> nine parks and nature preserves providing more than 13 miles of trails— including seven miles at <br /> Little River Regional Park and Natural Area, and with plans to add more, and including a large <br /> segment of the State's Mountains to Sea Trail that stretches more than 1,000 miles from the <br /> mountains to the coast; and <br /> WHEREAS, trails offer quality-of-life benefits to all as expressions of local community character <br /> and pride, as outdoor workshops for science education, as tools for economic revitalization, as <br /> free resources for healthy recreation, as accessible alternative transportation, and as sites for <br /> social and cultural events; and <br /> WHEREAS, annual trail runs such as the annual Little River Trail Run and community hiking <br /> activities on Orange County trails and nature preserves are significant in importance to show how <br /> valuable trails are to Orange County residents; and <br /> WHEREAS, the North Carolina General Assembly designated 2023 as the Year of the Trail in <br /> North Carolina to promote and celebrate the State's extensive network of trails that showcase our <br /> State's beauty, vibrancy and culture; and <br /> WHEREAS, North Carolina is known as the "Great Trails State"; <br /> NOW THEREFORE, we, the Orange County Board of Commissioners, do hereby proclaim 2023 <br /> as the "YEAR OF THE TRAIL" in Orange County, and commend its observance to all people. <br /> Adopted by the Orange County Board of Commissioners, this the 7th day of February, 2023. <br /> Jamezetta Bedford, Chair Laura Jensen, Clerk to the Board <br /> Orange County Board of Commissioners <br /> A motion was made by Commissioner Fowler, seconded by Commissioner Hamilton, to <br /> approve and authorize the Chair to sign the proclamation declaring 2023 to be the "Year of the <br /> Trail" in Orange County <br /> Chair Bedford offered a friendly amendment to approve the county joining the Great Trails <br /> State Coalition as a government partner organization. Commissioner Fowler accepted the <br /> amendment. <br />