a study in sustainable tourism the haw river trail
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A Study in Sustainable Tourism
The Haw River Trail
The Haw RiverThe Economic Lifeline of Alamance County1850-1980s – The Haw River was a Major Hub of the
United States Textile Industry.Mid 20th Century - 8 Large Textile Mills on the Haw River
in Alamance County Alone.
Cone Mills- once the world leader in corduroy production
The Legacy of ProgressThe Bleaching and Dyeing Required in the Textile
Manufacturing Process Created an Extraordinary Amount of Water Pollution;
Haw River Became Synonymous with Pollution.
Local Memories of the River:River was a Different Color Each Day of the WeekMountains of Foam 10 Feet Tall
1980-2000s- The Textile IndustryHeaded for Greener Pastures.
Left Behind Opportunity in Riparian Areas
The Challenge:How to Turn a “Run of the Mill” Riverinto an Economic Engine.
After the Mill Is Gone
Textile Pollutionon the Yangtze
River
Confluence of Events2006 Memorandum of Understanding
Every Local Government on the Haw RiverAgreement to Further Conservation and Recreational Goals
Haw River Designated as Official Route of the Mountain-to-Sea Trail
Coordinator Hired by Alamance County PartnersFunded by Z. Smith Reynolds Grant to Elon UniversityMatch provided by Alamance County, City of Burlington,
City of Graham
Haw River Trail Partnership“Conservation Through Recreation”
Provide Safe, Legal Access to the Haw Through Haw River Trail/Mountains to Sea Trail and the Haw River Paddle Trail.
Improve Community Attitudes Towards the River Through Increased Exposure.
Preserve a Scenic Corridor for the Trail Through Conservation of a 500 Foot Buffer.
Create a Sustainable, Non-Depleting Economic Engine that brings dollars from outside Alamance County into the local economy.
Seizing Opportunity Utilized Our History
Developed Logo and Brochures thatDraw on the Haw’s Historical Richness
Used “Fort and Wall” ConstructionUse Grant Funds to Create “Forts”Use Momentum to Connect the “Wall” Through Donations
Take Advantage of our Proximity to Triangle, Triad
Initial Progress 2006-2009Paddle Trail
Alamance County AloneGrown from 4 “Formal”
Paddle Accesses to 83 More in Construction
Added 18 miles and 4 Dam Portages to Paddle Trail
Working to Become the First State-Designated Paddle Trail in North Carolina.
Initial Progress 2006-2009Land Trail
Alamance County Only:Added 4 Miles of Land Trail
Sustainable Pace of 2 Miles per Year.
3 New Parks of 15 Acres or More
Initial Progress 2006-2009Conservation Efforts
River-wide:1,250 Acres Conserved22,500 Linear ft.
of River Frontage
Alamance County222 Acres Conserved12,250 Linear ft.
of River Frontage
Initial Progress 2006-2009Economic Benefits
7 New “River Focused” Small Businesses Have Opened Since
2006
$2 million in Grant FundsExpended in Alamance County
$30,000 in Property Donationsto Local Governments
Yee-Haw! River Paddle brings 125-175 people to paddle on the Haw River each April.
Things We Should Have Done Right the First Time
Delineate Primary Goals/Secondary GoalsWhat are You Trying to Accomplish?Local Recreation, Tourism, Conservation, Education?
Find Your HookWhat Do You Have That the Next County Doesn’t?
Measure Your Public SupportUnder the Radar vs. Consensus Building
More Things We Should Have Done Right the First Time
Planning; Plan Promotion; Fundraising; Acquisition;
Design;Construction;Maintenance; Public Promotion.
Align Your Goals with State/Federal Goals
Hire a “Trail Guy.”
Assign Responsibilities for Each of the 8 Steps of Trail Building:
