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Alamance Parks Receives 2026 Driving Mobility and Accessibility on Public Lands Grant From The National Environmental Education Foundation For Adaptive Trail Chairs

Written by chaseparrish on . Posted in Outdoors, Parks & Trails, Special Populations. No Comments on Alamance Parks Receives 2026 Driving Mobility and Accessibility on Public Lands Grant From The National Environmental Education Foundation For Adaptive Trail Chairs

Image of two adults on all terrain wheelchairs hiking on a nature trail in a wooded area

Alamance County, North Carolina. May 21, 2026 – Alamance Parks is pleased to announce it has received a $20,000 2026 Driving Mobility and Accessibility on Public Lands Grant from the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF), with major funding support from Toyota Motor North America. These funds will support the acquisition of adaptive trail chairs and equipment that will allow those with mobility disabilities more access to the trails and outdoor spaces that Alamance Parks has to offer throughout the county.

This grant will support mobility and accessibility on public lands by expanding access to outdoor recreation opportunities for individuals with mobility disabilities across our county’s public parks and trail systems. As a rural parks and recreation department, outdoor recreation and trail use are central to our programming. However, most of our trails are currently inaccessible to individuals with mobility impairments due to natural terrain and limited infrastructure. With this grant, Alamance Parks will be able to work towards removing physical barriers while supporting ongoing access to public lands for individuals with mobility disabilities.

“We are grateful for this grant opportunity which will allow us to expand accessibility within our parks system.  While not every trail or natural area can be fully accessible, these adaptive chairs help create more opportunities for individuals to enjoy our parks and connect with nature. This investment reflects and supports our organizational commitment to improving access for all.” said Alamance Parks Director Jamie Merchel.

NEEF awards annual grants through a competitive application and review process. For over twenty years, NEEF has partnered with Toyota to provide a variety of grants and awards to support national and regional environmental preservation projects. For more than 50 years, Alamance Parks has enhanced the quality of life for county residents through parks, trails, and inclusive programs that promote healthy, active lifestyles and connection to nature. Our focus areas are outdoors, community, and youth athletics. We provide access through parks and trails, community centers, Adaptive & Inclusive Recreation programs, and year-round youth sports. Our mission is to offer welcoming parks, trails, and programs for all.

About NEEF

The National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) is the nation’s leading organization in lifelong environmental learning, creating opportunities for people to experience and learn about the environment in ways that improve their lives and the health of the planet. Congressionally chartered in 1990 as a 501c3 nonprofit to complement the work of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), NEEF is a non-partisan, non-advocacy organization working to make the environment more accessible, relatable, relevant, and connected to people’s daily lives. Learn more at NEEFusa.org—or follow NEEF on Facebook (Facebook.com/NEEFusa) and on Twitter at @NEEFusa.

aerial image of vast land and water

Alamance Parks Announces Acquisition of Approximately 800 Acres to Expand Haw River State Trail and Mountains-to-Sea State Trail

Written by chaseparrish on . Posted in Haw River Trail, Outdoors, Parks & Trails. No Comments on Alamance Parks Announces Acquisition of Approximately 800 Acres to Expand Haw River State Trail and Mountains-to-Sea State Trail

Alamance County, NC – Alamance Parks is pleased to announce the acquisition of approximately 800 acres of land in southern Alamance County that will significantly extend the Haw River State Trail and the North Carolina Mountains-to-Sea Trail.

The newly acquired property is a majority of the historic “Alston Quarter” tract, the largest undivided parcel in Alamance County. The land sits south of Saxapahaw at the confluence of the Haw River and Cane Creek.  This acquisition will allow for the construction of 3 miles of additional Haw River State Trail/Mountains-to-Sea Trail and will create new opportunities for outdoor recreation, conservation and environmental stewardship.

Funding for the acquisition was made possible through state and local resources including the North Carolina Land and Water Fund, the Complete the Trails Grant Program, Alamance County Landfill Enterprise Funds and a donation from the Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail. This collaborative funding approach reflects Alamance County’s commitment to leveraging diverse funding sources to achieve long-term conservation and recreation goals. Planning, design and future public access improvements to the site will be evaluated as part of ongoing trail development effort and in coordination with state and regional partners.

For more information about Alamance County Recreation and Parks and trail initiatives, visit www.alamanceparks.com or follow Alamance Parks on social media.

For more information about the Haw River State Trail, visit www.hawrivertrail.org or follow Haw River Trail on social media.