In celebration of Great Outdoors Month and National Trails Day on June 1, Secretary Haaland announced the designation of four new national recreation trails in four states, adding 33.5 miles to the National Trails System.
“These four new national trails will build connections in communities, ensuring bikers, hikers and all who love our public lands have increased access to outdoor recreation opportunities close to home,” said National Park Service Director Chuck Sams.
National recreation trails are jointly coordinated and administered by the National Park Service and the U.S. Forest Service, in conjunction with a number of federal and nonprofit partners. A national recreation trail can be designated by either the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of Agriculture on an existing local or regional trail with the consent of the federal, state, Tribal, local, nonprofit or private entity that has jurisdiction over the trail.
Trail designations are consistent with the principles of the “America the Beautiful” initiative, a locally led and voluntary nationwide effort to conserve, connect and restore the lands, waters and wildlife upon which we all depend.
Of the trails designated by Secretary Haaland, was the Sweet Springs Turnpike Trail. With the designation, the trail will retain its existing ownership and receive a certificate of designation, a set of trail markers and a letter of recognition.
At just over one mile, the Sweet Springs Turnpike Trail is a multi-use gentle grade scenic trail that transitions from open pastures to dense forest. It boasts magnificent views of Sweet Springs Valley and the Andrew S. Rowan Memorial Farm, and beautiful seasonal foliage with a wide variety of tree species, raptors, and wildlife. The trail runs along a remarkably intact section of the historic 19th century stage road known as The Price’s Mountain-Sweet Springs Turnpike and is associated with the nearby Old Sweet Springs Historic District.
The trail was originally designed to bring people to one of the most Historic National Landmarks in the United States – the “Old Sweet” – now known as the Sweet Springs Resort Park Foundation Inc., a 501 (c)(3) non-profit charitable organization dedicated to the restoration of local historic buildings.
Once the trail is completed it will join with the Allegheny Trail and both will then join the Appalachian Trail – the longest hiking trail in the US (Maine to Georgia).
