The mountain bike scene is going off in Morganton, NC! We recently reported on a new trail system in Oak Hill Community Park, and not only is the local community preserving land for recreation instead of development, they’re also working on adding trails to an existing park right in the town of Morganton.
While the Oak Hill trail system is located a few miles outside of town and will require most people to drive to the trailhead, the new 5.5-mile mountain bike trail under construction in Catawba Meadows Park will be rideable from the front door for most Morganton residents.
From vision to reality
“The desire for having an in-town trail system has really been fueled by wanting more access for all,” said Michael Lawther, owner of local bike shop Overmountain Cycles. “Whether it’s transportation, the time or any other reason that could be holding someone back, an in-town trail system offers more access. It’s for those that love the sport or are just learning about mountain biking to have more options. I’m excited for beginners, kids, and avid mountain bikers to enjoy the trails.”
Lawther had the original idea for the mountain bike trails in Catawba Meadows Park and began exploring the property, talking to local riders, and collaborating with local leadership about five years ago. However, the red tape for urban projects can be substantial, so the Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina (FCNC) stepped in to help shepherd the project from concept to completion.
“This was a complex project with lots of permits,” said Shane Prisby, Trails Program Director for FCNC. “Most of Catawba Meadows Park is in a floodplain, which makes permitting very complex. We had to get a trail easement across private land, which took over a year to complete.”
The project will cost over $100,000 to build, and Black Diamond Design, Inc., from China Grove, NC, was contracted for the work. In addition, the “FCNC is working with the City of Morganton on a grant to expand the trail and add another 0.5 miles,” according to Prisby.
None of this would have been possible without buy-in from the City of Morganton. “The [city] has been very receptive to this project, and [we’re] thankful for them granting the property access,” said Lawther.
Trails for all, but especially kids
The new trail system will total between 5.5 and 6 miles of new singletrack, depending on how the build goes. The park is already home to a jump line, and the new singletrack network will have beginner, intermediate, and advanced trails. There’s also room for some future expansion, such as a pumptrack.
While there will be a dedicated beginner trail in the park, “I’m excited about the blue and black trails this system holds for the seasoned rider,” said Lawther. “The blue trail is built to teach riders the importance of pumping your bike and bike-body separation. That trail flows from top to bottom excellently. The black trail is a bit tricky, though. It’s a one-way trail that uses the steepest portion of land in the park. It features classic benchcut, rock features, tight berms, and will be a good challenge for riders.”
This new in-town trail system will soon be the training grounds for the local high school mountain bike race team, the Burke Bearcats. “This trail system has been designed to NCICL standards to be used as a NICA race venue,” said Prisby. The local team has been traveling “to other events statewide, and they needed places to practice that are close to town.” In fact, North Carolina was having a difficult time holding races in the western half of the state due to a lack of suitable venues — a problem that Catawba Meadows Park now solves.
This new in-town trail system promises to be a fantastic local resource for beginner riders, high school racers, and seasoned veterans alike. The FCNC plans to open the new trails to the public in October.
