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Appalachian Trail Community
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Fontana Dam To Be Designated as Newest Appalachian Trail Community

Tuesday, March 3, 2015

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The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC), along with the Smoky Mountains Hiking Club (SMHC), invite the public to attend the official designation of Fontana Dam, North Carolina, as the newest Appalachian Trail Community™. The ceremony will be held on Thursday, March 26, and is free and open to the public.

The event will kick off at 11 a.m. with music from the Larry Barnett Duo, allowing attendees to meet and greet each other before the designation ceremony at noon. Following the ceremony, guests are welcome to visit the Mountview Restaurant on the property of the Fontana Village Resort for lunch. A short guided hike beginning at 2:30 p.m. will conclude the day’s festivities.

“The Appalachian Trail Conservancy is proud to celebrate Fontana Dam as an A.T. Community partner in North Carolina that is helping to protect and promote the Appalachian Trail,” said Julie Judkins, community program manager for the ATC. “These new partnerships increase local stewardship of public lands, support community initiatives for sustainable economic development and conservation planning and support healthy lifestyles for community citizens.”

Honored guests and speakers at this event include Wendy Janssen, superintendent of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail; Ron Tipton, executive director of the ATC; Mayor Houston, Fontana Dam; Supervisor Kristin Bail, National Forests of North Carolina; Chair Sara Locke, Town Council; staff from U.S. Senator Burr’s office; staff from Congressman Meadows office, 11th District; Christine Hoyer, Great Smoky Mountains National Park; Marshall McClung, local historian and author; and Regional Director Morgan Sommerville of the ATC’s Southern Office.

“The Town of Fontana Dam is delighted to enter into this partnership with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy to promote the use and appreciation of the Appalachian Trail in our area,” said Councilwoman Sara Locke.

Fontana Dam marks the point where the Appalachian Trail enters Great Smoky Mountains National Park from the south.

Event Overview:
Location: Fontana Village Events Hall, 300 Woods Road, Fontana Dam, NC
Date: Thursday, March 26
11 a.m. Meet and greet and enjoy music from the Larry Barnett Duo
Noon Designation ceremony
1:00 p.m. Music from the Larry Barnett Duo
2:30 p.m. Short guided hike

The Appalachian Trail Community™ program was created by the ATC to recognize communities that promote and care for the Appalachian Trail (A.T.). Working with a growing network of trailside community partners, the program supports communities that play a role in advocating the A.T. as a significant local and national asset and as an international icon. The program assists communities by generating awareness and stimulating outdoor recreation while preserving and protecting the A.T. For more information about the A.T. Community™ program, visit www.appalachiantrail.org/atcommunity.




Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
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White County/Helen, Georgia Designated an Appalachian Trail Community

Thursday, November 22, 2012

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The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC), along with the Georgia Appalachian Trail Club (GATC) and the city of Helen, invites the public to attend the official designation of White County/Helen, Georgia as the newest Appalachian Trail Community™ on November 30, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. The ceremony will be held at the Bandshell Amphitheater located 100 feet north of the Chattahoochee River near Hwy 17/75 in downtown Helen, Georgia. This event is free and open to the public.

Over 40% of White County is comprised of state and federal public lands, making outdoor recreation a dominant feature of this mountain community. The city is most known for its Bavarian flavor, giving tourists a taste of the southern Appalachians.

The designation ceremony will begin with the national anthem performed by Charles Aiken, thru-hiker and longtime GATC volunteer and Trail-maintainer. Aiken was first introduced to the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) at age 12 and has continued to share his passion for the Trail ever since. He recently developed a hiking program, now active in various North Georgia schools, where students can learn about the history of the A.T. and experience the outdoors.

Following the national anthem, various guests will present including Mark Wenger, executive director/CEO of the ATC, Morgan Sommerville, southern regional director of the ATC, Mayor Judy Holloway and Tom Aderhold, former president of GATC and longtime volunteer awarded the 50 Year Service Award by the National Park Service for his efforts managing the A.T.

The Appalachian Trail Community™ is a new program of the ATC, the nonprofit responsible for management and protection of the A.T. Launched in 2010, this program recognizes and thanks communities for their part in promoting the A.T. as an important local and national asset.

EVENT OVERVIEW
* White County/Helen, Georgia A.T. Community Designation Ceremony
* Date: November 30, 2012
* Time: 11:00a.m.
* Locations: Bandshell Amphitheater in downtown Helen, 100 feet north of the Chattahoochee River near Hwy 17/75


Jeff
Hiking in the Smokies
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Abigndon, Virginia Designated as an Appalachian Trail Community

Friday, August 31, 2012

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On September 11, 2012, from 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m., the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) will celebrate the official designation of Abingdon, Virginia as the newest Appalachian Trail Community™. The Town of Abingdon, in conjunction with the ATC and the Mount Rogers Appalachian Trail Club, has planned an evening of celebratory activities including presentations, vendors, live music and guest speakers. This event is open and free to the public.

A presentation entitled “Hikers and Bikers” will commence at 4:00 p.m. at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center located at One Partnership Circle, Abingdon, VA. Mark Wenger, executive director/CEO of the ATC, will talk about his 8-year section-hike along the Appalachian Trail (A.T.), which was completed in 2011. Lawrence Dye, Virginia Creeper Trail ambassador, will also speak about his bicycling experiences along the Virginia Creeper Trail. Dye has logged approximately 170,000 miles along the Virginia Creeper Trail since the 1990s.

Following the presentation, attendees are invited to the Abingdon Farmers Market located at the Abingdon Market Pavilion at 100 Remsburg Drive, Abingdon, VA for light refreshments and live music. Local produce will also be available for purchase until 7:00 p.m.

The designation ceremony will begin at 6:00 p.m. at the Abingdon Farmers Market. Speakers will include town leaders and dignitaries such as Mark Wenger, executive director/CEO of the ATC; Laura Bellville, director of conservation of the ATC; and Beth Merz, Mount Rogers National Recreation Area ranger.

“The Appalachian Trail Conservancy is proud to celebrate communities that are helping to protect and promote the Appalachian Trail,” said Julie Judkins, community program manager for the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. “These new partnerships will increase local stewardship of public lands, support community initiatives for sustainable economic development and conservation planning as well as support healthy lifestyles for community citizens”.

The Appalachian Trail Community™ is a new program of the ATC, the nonprofit responsible for management and protection of the A.T. Launched in 2010, this program recognizes and thanks communities for their part in promoting the A.T. as an important local and national asset.

EVENT OVERVIEW
Abingdon, Virginia A.T. Community Designation Ceremony
Date: September 11, 2012
Time: 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Locations:
“Hikers and Bikers” Presentation: Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center, One Partnership Circle, Abingdon, VA 24210
Designation Ceremony: Abingdon Market Pavilion, 100 Remsburg Drive, Abingdon, VA 24210

Program Schedule:
4:00 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.: “Hikers & Bikers” presentation
5:15 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.: Live music, refreshments and vendors
6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.: A.T. Community Designation Ceremony

The ATC was founded in 1925 by volunteers and federal officials working to build a continuous footpath along the Appalachian Mountains. Stretching from Georgia to Maine, the A.T. is approximately 2,180 miles in length, making it one of the longest, continuously marked footpaths in the world. Volunteers typically donate more than 220,000 hours of their time doing trail-related work each year, and about 2 to 3 million visitors walk a portion of the A.T. each year. This year also marks the 75th anniversary of the completion of the A.T.

If interested in attending the ceremony, please contact Tenille Montgomery at 276.676.2282 or via e-mail at tmontgomery@abingdon-va.gov. For more information about the Appalachian Trail Community™ program, visit www.appalachiantrail.org/atcommunity.


Jeff
Hiking in the Smokies
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Bland County, Virginia Designated as an Appalachian Trail Community

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

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The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) will celebrate the official designation of Bland County, Virginia as its newest Appalachian Trail Community™ on May 26th at the Bland County Fairgrounds. A full day of celebratory activities is planned as a part of the county’s inaugural Festival of Trails.

Starting at 10:00am, guided hikes along the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) with the local Piedmont Appalachian Trail Hikers club and a bike race through the county will kick off a day of music and dance, followed by the A.T. Community designation ceremony at 5:30pm at the Bland County Fairgrounds. Local volunteers are working collaboratively to bring awareness to the Trail and to the communities about the national resource. The ATC and community leaders will speak, with a proclamation-signing and an unveiling of new community signs.

The Appalachian Trail Community™ designation is a new program of the ATC, the nonprofit responsible for management and protection of the estimated 2,185-mile Appalachian National Scenic Trail. Launched in 2010, this program recognizes communities for their part in promoting awareness of the Appalachian Trail as an important local and national asset.

Designation as an Appalachian Trail Community™ and participation in the program is aimed to:

• Engage community residents, Trail visitors, and stewards

• Thank communities for their decades of service to hikers

• Act as a catalyst for sustainable economic development

• Aid municipalities and regional areas with conservation planning initiatives

• Promote the Trail as a community resource and asset

“The Appalachian Trail Conservancy is proud to celebrate communities that are helping to protect and promote the Appalachian Trail,” states Julie Judkins, Community Program Manager for the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. “These new partnerships will increase local stewardship of public lands, support community initiatives for sustainable economic development and conservation planning as well as support healthy lifestyles for community citizens.”



Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
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Waynesboro, Virginia is newest Appalachian Trail Community

Saturday, March 10, 2012

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On March 17, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) will celebrate the official designation of Waynesboro as the newest Appalachian Trail Community™ at the Dominion Pavilion at Constitution Park beginning at 10:00 AM. The city will celebrating the ribbon cutting of the newly completed greenway, and will host speakers including the ATC’s new executive director, Mark Wenger, as well as local leaders including Mayor Frank Lucente.

“Waynesboro volunteers, businesses and organizations have long been committed to connecting A.T. hikers with the necessary resources while in Waynesboro. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s community designation for Waynesboro strengthens the City’s effort in becoming a premier outdoor recreation destination,” stated Katie McElroy, Waynesboro Tourism Director. “We are thrilled to continue these efforts in working together for a stronger partnership.”

The Appalachian Trail Community™ designation is a new program of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, the nonprofit responsible for management and protection of the estimated 2,180-mile Appalachian National Scenic Trail. Launched in 2010, this program recognizes communities for their part in promoting awareness of the Appalachian Trail as an important local and national asset.

Waynesboro’s designation day will include a chance to walk on the new greenway and speak with local groups such as the Virginia Department of Forestry, the South River Science Team, and representatives from the two local volunteer A.T. maintaining clubs - Old Dominion A.T. Club and Potomac A.T. Club.

“The opening of the first phase of the South River Greenway is key to Waynesboro’s commitment to the outdoors. Promoting trails and their benefits to the public from an overall health aspect as well as a tourist destination is a natural fit to our overall mission,” explains C. Dwayne Jones, Director of Waynesboro Parks and Recreation. “Being recognized as an Appalachian Trail Community solidifies our connection to the A.T. and its countless users.”

Designation as an Appalachian Trail Community™ and participation in the program is aimed to:

• Engage community residents, Trail visitors, and stewards
• Thank communities for their decades of service to hikers
• Act as a catalyst for sustainable economic development
• Aid municipalities and regional areas with local conservation and planning efforts
• Promote the Trail as a community resource and asset

“The Appalachian Trail Conservancy is proud to celebrate communities that are helping to protect and promote the Appalachian Trail,” states Julie Judkins, Community Program Manager for the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. “These new partnerships will increase local stewardship of public lands, support community initiatives for sustainable economic development and conservation planning as well as support healthy lifestyles for community citizens.”


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Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
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Damascus, VA Designated An Appalachian Trail Community

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

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On May 14, 2011, as a part of the 25th annual Trail Days festival, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Mount Rogers Appalachian Trail Club, and town leaders from Damascus will hold a ceremony celebrating their designation as the newest Appalachian Trail Community with a proclamation signing, speakers and presentation of town signs. Scheduled speakers include Mayor McCrady, Virginia Delegate Joe Johnson, Appalachian Long Distance Hikers Association Coordinator Mike “Wingheart” Wingeart, and others.

The Appalachian Trail Community designation program is a new program of the nonprofit managers of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail (A.T.). Launched in 2010, this program recognizes communities for their part in promoting awareness of the A.T. as an important national and local resource. Towns, counties and communities along the A.T.’s corridor are considered assets by A.T. hikers, and many of these towns act as good friends and neighbors to the Trail.

The designation ceremony will take place at 12:30 pm at the Gazebo in the Damascus Town Park, following the Giddy Up Cloggers. Hiking groups and clubs are invited to gather around the stage with banners and flags to show support of Damascus during this special event. At the end of the ceremony, attendees will line up for the popular Hiker Parade, marching through downtown along the Appalachian Trail.

Trail Days, a multi-day festival attracting approximately 4,000 hikers and about 15,000 other visitors to Damascus each year, offers hiker workshops, hiker services, food, gear vendors and entertainment. Many events are family-oriented such as slide-show programs, outdoor activities, presentations, hiking seminars, movies, and musical concerts.

For over 50 years, volunteers from the MRATC, one of the ATC’s federation of 31 AT maintaining clubs from Georgia to Maine, have led the maintenance, management, and protection of the A.T. in the area, in cooperation with the ATC, the US Forest Service’s Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, and Grayson Highlands State Park. The club works closely with Damascus to make the most of this new program. They have helped design hiker brochures and work closely with local schools to get students on the Appalachian Trail.

I've never been to Trail Days, but Damascus is a very cool little town. I should also mention that the hike to Mt. Rogers is one of my all time favorite hikes.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
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ATC awarded grant to support Appalachian Trail Communities

Monday, January 17, 2011

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The Virginia Environmental Endowment has awarded a $22,000 grant to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) to support the Appalachian Trail Community program in Virginia. During the 2011 granting period, the ATC plans to accept at least five new communities from Virginia into the growing network of designated trail-side communities.

Through this grant from the Virginia Environmental Endowment, the A.T. Communities program will expand its capacity by developing volunteer training, communication tools, program website and other resources to support local communities.

The Appalachian Trail Community program, managed by the ATC, provides tools and support to local communities that capitalize on the Trail as a community asset for tourism and outdoor recreation. The program is designed to provide an incentive for conservation of the Trail’s signature landscapes while giving communities the opportunity to grow rural economies that sustain rural heritage and quality of life. Launched in 2010, this program will ensure long-term stewardship and protection for the Appalachian Trail.

One quarter of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail and its 280,000-acre land base traverse the Commonwealth of Virginia, protecting a 550-mile swath of the state’s natural resources, scenic beauty, and rich biodiversity. In addition, the 2,181-mile Appalachian Trail (A.T.) provides an unforgettable outdoor experience to an estimated four million visitors each year, including many local residents who use the Trail for physical and spiritual renewal. In Virginia, the Trail slices through the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests and Shenandoah National Park, offering ecological and economic benefits to 23 Virginia counties. With the millions that visit the Trail every year, as well as its international iconic status, it's no wonder that outfitters, restaurants and businesses catering to outdoor recreation call A.T. communities home.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
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Franklin, NC to become newest Appalachian Trail Community

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

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On March 23, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and town leaders from Franklin, N.C., will hold a ceremony celebrating the designation by ATC of Franklin as the newest Appalachian Trail Community, with a luncheon and proclamation signing. Mayor Joe Collins; ATC’s Board Chair, Bob Almand; and community representatives will speak. The ceremony will be held at Town Hall board room, 95 East Main Street, Franklin 12:00–1:00 p.m.

The ceremony is part of a week long celebration in Franklin. In addition to the official welcome, Walking with Spring - a series of A.T. related presentations and films - and a photography contest, will be held that week. A few days later, April Fools Trail Days (April 2 - 3) welcomes thru-hikers of the Appalachian Trail as they start their journey north to Katahdin.

Appalachian Trail Communities is a new program of the nonprofit managers of the Appalachian Trail, highlighting the value of trailside communities and towns as a driver for sustainable economic development and the importance of the towns to the A.T. as agents in protecting its complex recreational, volunteer, educational and environmental resources.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com Detailed information on trails in the Smoky Mountains; includes trail descriptions, key features, pictures, video, maps, elevation profiles, news, and more.
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