Community invited to public outreach events for potential Gullah Geechee Heritage Trail
BRUNSWICK COUNTY, N.C. (WECT) - A public outreach event was set to gather input for a potential Gullah Geechee Heritage Trail on Thursday, Oct. 5.
The Wilmington Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization is working with NCDOT to find the best route for the trail, potentially connecting Phoenix Park in Navassa to Brunswick County Nature Park.
The trail would feature both a path for walking and biking and a route for kayakers to travel down the Cape Fear River. The goal of both trails is to teach people more about the area’s connection to the Gullah Geechee, an African-American ethnic group.
“We want to include them in the process. We want to make sure we are giving them something they want to see. Also where the trail goes is still being decided. We want to hear where exactly they would like to see it go,” Emma Stogner of WMPO said.
The meetings are for a feasibility study for the trail, bridging the gap between planning and implementation of a trail celebrating local cultural heritage, promoting sustainable transportation and encouraging economic development. The study hopes to make a path connecting Brunswick Nature Park to Phoenix Park in Navassa.
The events will be for people to discuss the project, ask questions, and provide input to the Wilmington Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization:
- Thursday, October 5 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Navassa Community Center
- Saturday, October 7 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Fall Festival at Belville Riverwalk Park
- Wednesday, October 11 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Leland Town Hall
“If unable to attend an in-person event, the public is encouraged to participate online by responding to a brief survey and providing comments on an input map,” a WMPO announcement states.
You can provide input online here through October.
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