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3~ CAR9LINA THREAD TRAIL Memorandum Date: October 13, 2009 To: Cabarrus County Board of County Commissioners From: Ann Browning, Carolina Thread Trail Project Director Subject: Carolina Thread Trail Master Plan for Cabarrus County Communities The purpose of this memorandum is to (i) provide context for your consideration of the adoption of the Carolina Thread Trail Master Plan for Cabarrus County Communities ("the Plan") and, (ii) to respond to your request to describe the public involvement opportunities during the creation of the Plan. I. What the Plan is: The Plan is a guideline for developing a network of interconnecting trails in Cabarrus County, with regionally significant routes connecting to neighboring counties, becoming part of a i5 county system. The Plan describes existing conditions, community benefits, community input that informed the recommendations and a proposed trail network of recommended corridors and connections. The corridors are one-quarter mile opportunity swaths, which will be further refined or altered based on physical conditions, localized input and landowner preferences. The Plan contains recommendations for implementation and funding, positioning Cabarrus communities to take advantage of opportunities as they arise. These opportunities include potential land or easement donations, funding, including catalytic grants from the Carolina Thread Trail for trail implementation, and opportunities to focus volunteer leadership. The Plan is a prerequisite for Carolina Thread Trail grants. The Plan provides for the long term development of a trail network-without a plan, a connected network will not happen. What the Plan is not: • A policy or implied endorsement for condemning land. It endorses working with willing landowners. • A commitment to fund the trail. There are no funding implications with adoption of this Plan. A firm commitment to these specific trail routes. The Plan provides for flexibility in the eventual routes to take advantage of land opportunities and funding. As obstacles or new opportunities arise, the Plan can be modified. As the community focuses on specific corridors, landowners will be engaged to determine their interest, attitudes and concerns. This feedback will be critical to determining optimal routes. II. Public Involvement Opportunities Community and citizen engagement is fundamental to the Carolina Thread Trail planning process. Below is a synopsis of the public involvement leading to the proposed Plan: Attachment number 2 F-16 Page 156