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21 <br /> RELATED STUDY RELEVANT FINDINGS FORTHE TRAILS PLAN <br /> • The Town of Carrboro's priorities include protecting terrestrial <br /> and aquatic ecosystems, encouraging responsible development, <br /> and providing citizens with access to nature. <br /> • Greenways (especially along Jones Creek and Morgan Creek) are <br /> identified as core network elements to close connectivity gaps <br /> and deliver stormwater and climate benefits. <br /> • Land use and mobility are linked by compact density nodes <br /> and mixed-use spaces along key corridors to create 15-minute <br /> neighborhoods and reduce vehicle reliance. <br /> NCDOT Great Trails • The plan defines a statewide shared-use path network connecting <br /> State Plan all 100 counties to major destinations for transportation, <br /> 2022 recreation, health, tourism, and economic prosperity. <br /> • There are five network planning principles—coherence, <br /> attractiveness, directness, safety, and comfort—with user-oriented <br /> design guiding prioritization where trade-offs may be required. <br /> • Proposed segments, alternates, and gaps make up the entire <br /> Great Trails State network; in the draft state, there are 580 <br /> existing miles, 3,645 miles proposed, 1,471 miles of alternates, <br /> and 851 miles of gaps intended to be refined or closed locally. <br /> • Long-distance systems like the Mountains to Sea Trail (MST) and <br /> East Coast Greenway, along with regional plans, are key inputs for <br /> route selection and coordination. <br /> • A "no new deficiencies" policy is proposed to ensure the Great <br /> Trails State network can be used safely and reliably by all NC trail <br /> users, with a consistent and predictable experience regardless of <br /> new projects and developments. <br /> • The combination of public support (demonstrated through <br /> 11,000+ survey responses) and projected economic returns <br /> position trails to be a catalyst for North Carolina's outdoor <br /> recreation economy. <br /> Orange County Land • The project's core vision is to 1) cultivate sustainable <br /> Use Plan 2050 development by protecting critical watersheds, open spaces, and <br /> 2023-2026, Ongoing working lands, 2) expand attainable housing and employment, <br /> and 3) implement sustainable transportation systems that include <br /> greenways and bicycle/pedestrian connectivity. <br /> 18 Draft Orange County Trails Plan <br />