Morganton – The Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina (FCNC), in partnership with Morganton Parks and Recreation, Overmountain Cycles, Black Diamond Trail Designs, and the North Carolina Interscholastic Cycling League (NCICL), has officially broken ground on a new mountain bike park at Catawba Meadows Park, located along Sanford Drive just north of downtown Morganton.
The upcoming bike park will feature over five miles of new trails designed for riders of all skill levels, including beginner, intermediate, and advanced sections. The construction is underway, with a public opening anticipated in October 2024.
“We are thrilled for this project to be completed and to bring another exciting amenity to our public and those visiting the area,” said Bryan Fish, Director of Morganton Parks and Recreation. “The trail will enhance the experience of those visiting Catawba Meadows to go with our existing disc golf course, Beanstalk zip lines and challenge course, playground, greenway and baseball/softball complex.”
The trail project commenced in 2020, involving environmental reviews, fundraising efforts, and the construction of a one-mile advanced section of trail.
“This has been a very complex project that has taken many years to get to the construction stage. We’ve overcome funding hurdles, acquired a trail easement with a private landowner, completed a no-rise study, and had our comprehensive Erosion and Sediment Control Plan approved,” stated Shane Prisby, Trails Program Director at FCNC. “We are so excited that this project is moving forward so people can enjoy the trail system soon.”
Once completed, the trails will adhere to NCICL standards for organized racing events, allowing children from across the state the opportunity to participate and compete.
“The opening of the Catawba Meadows trail system in Morganton is a huge win for the league’s mission of getting more kids on bikes,” said Brian Russell, North Carolina’s NCICL League Director. “These trails provide a safe, fun, and accessible place for young riders to develop their skills and passion for mountain biking. We’re especially excited for our local Burke County Bearcats team, who now have access to a first-class training ground right in their backyard.”
The Catawba Meadows bike park is set apart from many mountain bike trails by its proximity to downtown Morganton and ample parking, making it more accessible to larger crowds.
“Black Diamond Designs is extremely grateful to be able to provide intercity trails for Morganton, especially at such a beautiful community park,” stated Joseph Litaker, president of Black Diamond Designs. “We hope to add to the park’s natural beauty and sense of adventure with five-plus miles of wooded, multi-use, natural surface trails for people of all skill levels. We are ecstatic to be part of this community of driven outdoor enthusiasts and conservationists, and as we move our company to Morganton, NC, we are planning to be more involved in all aspects of natural resource construction!”
Special recognition and gratitude are extended to Airlie, Inc. for granting a public trail easement on its private land, making the trail system possible, as well as to Michael Lowther with Overmountain Cycles for his advocacy for the project. The funding for the trail has come from a combination of private donations raised by FCNC, public funding through the City of Morganton, and a Recreation Trails Program grant from North Carolina State Parks.
About FCNC
Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina is a nationally accredited regional land trust that inspires conservation in Western North Carolina by permanently protecting land and water for the benefit of people and all living things. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Foothills Conservancy has conserved more than 70,000 acres in its eight-county service area: Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Cleveland, Lincoln, McDowell, and Rutherford, across three major river basins: the Broad, Catawba, and Yadkin. More information about Foothills Conservancy, including ways to support its work, can be found at www.foothillsconservancy.org or by calling 828-437-9930.