July Polk Trails Newsletter
July Workdays
for the Recreation Complex Trail:
We will be holding work days on the following days from 8 am - 11 am:
Tuesday & Thursday, June 30 & July 2
Tuesday & Thursday, July 7 & 9
Tuesday & Thursday, July 14 & 16
Tuesday & Thursday, July 21 & 23
Please call Neal if you have any questions or if you would like to help: 828-808-6928. They might change the location as needed to help other trail groups, so PLEASE CALL Neal first!
If you have your own tools, please bring them so we do not have to share equipment.
Say Hi to our New Trails Coordinator, Molly!
Molly Cantrell is an Outdoor Industry p rofessional, Adventurer, Environmental Advocate, and Artist. She is a multifaceted individual with an eclectic background that includes everything from Musical Theatre to wildlife research. Her most recent work experience includes two seasons working with the US Forest Service as a Wild Horse and Burro Resource Assistant. She has solid experience in trail work, GIS, working with youth, and connecting with members of the community. She will be at our July trails meeting to say hi to everyone!

mac_book.jpg
July Trails Meeting Notes
  • A few members joined in person at Laura's house in Sunny View, and others joined virtually. Thanks for being flexible in these strange times!
  • Rec Complex Trail: most of the remaining work is cleaning up the edges and adding some alternate routes to some of the more challenging sections. Please call Neal if you would like to help. The campers are using the trail regularly, and are working on coming up with some names for the first loop. We will be working on markers, etc.
  • Alexander's Ford: There has been an official recommendation from the Recreation Advisory Board to fix the muddy spots to make the original section more resilient and then allow horseback riding on that section only (not the new trail). They also recommend asking equestrian users to use a manure catcher bag.
  • Green River Trails: Several parts need repair. Neal is looking into work days and contacting the Carolina Mt. Club to discuss what's needed.
  • Tom Raymond/ICC Loop: The Polk County Library has added a "Story Trail" to the hiking path. Come check it out!
  • SCLT: Use of the Saluda Nature Park is discouraged while the environmental concerns are cleared up. Workdays are being organized for various trails in the area, including Judd's Peak and Lazy Girl. Contact Chuck Hearon if you are interested in helping: chearon@skyrunner.net
  • Woodland Park: The trail is in good shape with a few water issues. The Tryon Parks/Trails committee will be contacted for followup.
  • Green River Gamelands Trails: the bathroom facilities and the Big Bradley Falls trail are closed but the other trails are open.
  • If you are a trail steward or otherwise in charge of a Polk County Trail, please come by Stearns Gym to pick up a sign alerting users to ticks on the trail to post on the trailhead.
  • The next trails meeting is Monday, July 27 at Saluda Outfitters. We will also have a virtual join-in opportunity. Stay tuned for a reminder email.
Pick up your copy of the...

Paddle Trail Guide
for the
Broad & Green River
Featuring:
-Access point and river information for the 1st, 2nd, and Main Broad & Green River
-Boating access information for Lake Lure, Lake Adger, Moss Lake & Lake Bowen
-Suggested trips
-Locally made with local knowledge

From the Polk County Parks & Recreation office!
(105 N. Peak St., Columbus, NC 28722)
The Next Trails Committee Meeting is scheduled for
July 27th.

Join Polk County Parks & Recreation to discuss current and future trails projects. Our next meeting will be held on Monday, July 27th at 6:00 pm at Saluda Outfitters. We will also be logged into Zoom so that if you feel more secure at home, you will not miss out on updates.

Topic: Trails Committee Zoom Meeting
Time: July 27, 2020 06:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 457 308 8514
Password: recrocks

The limit is 40 minutes, so if we get cut off, just join back in by clicking the link again!!
fb_like_thumbs.jpg
Summertime, and the trails are breezy! If you would like to have a photo featured on the Polk Trails Facebook page, email the image to us and include a short description.

Preferred content: In Polk County and on publicly accessible land.


Polk Trails regularly updates a calendar of outdoor events in the area.

  • We will update the calendar accordingly when we hear of things being reopened and restarted.

Access can be found on our website here .
The AmeriCorps Trails Coordinator works for Polk County Parks & Recreation through a grant from the  Polk County Community Foundation . The Trails Coordinator manages trail work days, various partnerships and other trail related initiatives in the county.
E-Mail contact information for us: trails@polknc.org
Visit the Polk Trails website and Facebook page below.

The Polk Trails website offers
  • Description, images, parking, and some maps for trail systems.
  • Events calendar.
  • Information on how to adopt-a-trail.
  • A Nature Navigators page (Polk County Middle School hiking club).
  • Links to maps and other resources.
  • Other general information.