Orange County NC Website
19 <br /> Previous Plans & Initiatives <br /> The Trails Plan aggregates insights from a variety of previous plans and aligns with ongoing initiatives <br /> across Orange County to ensure consistency and reflection of community input and planning efforts that <br /> paved the way for this study. The table below summarizes the relevant findings from key studies, including <br /> the corridors that have been envisioned, destinations that should be linked, and the expectations for <br /> access and design that have already been established. <br /> RELATED STUDY RELEVANT FINDINGS FORTHETRAILS PLAN <br /> Chapel Hill Greenways The plan establishes a framework of stream corridors, man-made <br /> Master Plan corridors, and connector trails as the foundation for a complete, <br /> Adopted May2013 inter-linked greenway system; it also emphasizes sidewalks and <br /> bike lanes as essential connectors when trails cannot be linked <br /> together off-road. <br /> • There are --28 miles of suitable corridors for trails within —38 <br /> miles of protected open space, positioned as ideal spaces for <br /> long-term regional and local connectivity. <br /> • Corridor recommendations prioritize the Bolin, Booker, Morgan/ <br /> Fan, Little, Dry, North, and Carolina North systems as Chapel <br /> Hill's principal cross-town and cross-jurisdictional connectors, <br /> requiring boardwalks, underpasses, or easements for continuity. <br /> • The plan outlines regional linkage opportunities to Carrboro, <br /> Orange County, Durham, UNC/downtown Chapel Hill, and the <br /> American Tobacco Trail as part of a larger regional and statewide <br /> network. <br /> • There is a clear prioritization framework (including connectivity, <br /> transportation function, equity, school access, and regional <br /> links) and list of critical roadways where grade separation <br /> and enhanced crossing are essential for creating a safe and <br /> continuous trail system. <br /> Orange County Parks& • The plan identifies multiple park and public open space projects, <br /> Recreation Master Plan some of which have not yet been developed as of 2025 (e.g., <br /> 2030 Northeast District Park, McGowan Creek Access Area, Millhouse <br /> Adopted November2014 Road Park,Twin Creeks Park, Bingham District Park) that should <br /> be considered when aligning proposed trail segments. <br /> • Community survey results showed that walking/hiking/nature <br /> trails and greenways are among the most desired future <br /> recreation facilities in Orange County. <br /> 16 Draft Orange County Trails Plan <br />