By Jackson Sveen

DAVIDSON–The Carolina Thread Trail, that stretches out across 15 counties in two states, celebrated its fifth anniversary by marking the 100th mile of public trail Nov. 17 in Davidson.

The Carolina Thread Trail also announced a Facebook photo contest, where user of the trails can submit their photos from anywhere along the 100 miles. Prizes will be given for the most 'liked' or voted on photos and a grand prize winner will be chosen.

The contest will run from Nov. 17-Dec. 10.

The trail connects two million people with a network of trails and natural areas throughout Anson, Cabarrus, Catawba, Cleveland, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Rowan, Stanly and Union counties in North Carolina and Cherokee, Chester, Lancaster and York counties in South Carolina.



Ann Hayes Browning, Project Director of the Carolina Thread Trail, spoke at the event.

“We're happy to mark the 100th mile here, in Davidson, a place that is special to me and to many of you. “Browning said. “This is a community that has truly embraced walkable, bikeable living for health, economic vitality and quality of life of its citizens and visitors.”

The trail has been award $3 million in grants from private funders for building what will eventually be 1,500 miles when completed.

In the past two years, 500 volunteers led by professional trail masters, have logged 1,912 hours towards trail building and maintenance.



The unveiling of the 100th mile marker was presented by Executive Director of the Clean Water Management Trust Fund Richard Rogers, Trustee of the Clean Water Management Trust Fund Frank Bragg, Davidson Mayor John Woods who is a Catawba Land Conservancy Board Member, Director of Mecklenburg Parks and Recreation Jim Garges, Carolina Thread Trail Board Member Mike Mabry and Carolina Thread Trail Found Board Chair Ruth Shaw.

After the announcement, Dr. Mark Stanback and Dr. David Grant of Davidson College lead nature hikes through the trail.

Click HERE for more information about the Carolina Thread Trail.

Click HERE for an interactive map identifying the 59 trails that are currently open to the public.

Click HERE for more information on the Facebook photo contest.