The Park Avenue Multiuse Trail Phase Two is a one-mile off-road, 10-feet-wide multi-use path in Wilmington. The trail completes the Park Avenue Multiuse Trail project that totals 1.5 miles in length and includes two pedestrian bridges and seven street crossings. The trail is part of the River to the Sea Bikeway that follows the historic beach car line alignment from downtown Wilmington to Wrightsville Beach. The trail intersects with the Gary Shell Cross City Trail, Wilmington’s primary multiuse path facility. The completion of the trail provides safe access to numerous homes, businesses, a community park, and the UNC-Wilmington campus. The completion of the Park Avenue Multiuse Trail has increased opportunities to use biking and walking for transportation and recreation.
Second Place
Hector H. Henry Greenway – Riverwalk
Nominated By:
City of Concord
Modes:
Bicycle, Pedestrian, Public Transportation and Roadway
The Hector H. Henry Greenway - Riverwalk offers a pathway for pedestrians and cyclists to use alternative modes of transportation to recreation facilities, the Concord Area Transit system, restaurants, shopping centers and hotels. The path is 10-feet-wide, generally following the northern shore of the Rocky River and traversing 3,210 feet of wetlands on a wooden boardwalk. The greenway was designed to protect the natural habitat and bring people closer to nature. The greenway is now part of the regional Carolina Thread Trail system which links approximately 2.3 million people in 15 counties in North Carolina and South Carolina.
Third Place
Reedy Creek Road Improvements
Nominated By:
Cary
Modes:
Bicycle, Pedestrian and Roadway
The Reedy Creek Road Project transformed a two-lane road with shoulders and ditches into a multimodal, user-friendly corridor between Harrison Avenue and NE Maynard Road in Cary. The project connects residential and shopping areas, an elementary school and a middle school. The improvements addressed the lack of sidewalks and crosswalks, which had made it challenging and unsafe for residents, especially schoolchildren, to walk or bike. By adding sidewalks, bike lanes, landscaped medians, and two roundabouts, the project enhanced pedestrian and bicycle safety, increased usage, and improved traffic flow and aesthetics. The Reedy Creek Road Project addressed public health and safety concerns by transforming a hazardous corridor into a safer, multimodal route.
Urban Category Winner
Winner
Little Sugar Creek Greenway, I-485 to James K. Polk Historic Site
Nominated By:
Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation
Modes:
Bicycle and Pedestrian
This portion of Little Sugar Creek Greenway connects the Cross Charlotte Trail to the President James K. Polk State Historic Site in Pineville. Since the project was completed in 2021, the Little Sugar Creek Greenway has provided easy and safe access to recreational activities and social connections for cyclists, walkers and runners. With access to uptown Charlotte, trail users have access to large malls for shopping and dining, as well as impressive wetlands and an overlook in Marsh Park. This 1.8-mile trail strengthens the connection between visitors, local wetlands, and wildlife, while highlighting the community's engagement with John Grade's public artwork, "STEM."
Second Place
Fonta Flora Trail Boardwalk
Nominated By:
Burke County
Modes:
Bicycle and Pedestrian
Since it opened in 2021, the Fonta Flora Trail Boardwalk provides a safe trail connection for bicyclists and pedestrians to access Lake James. The project included the construction of 554 linear feet of new boardwalk, over 2,800 linear feet of new natural surface trail, and a new high visibility trail crossing at N.C. 126. To preserve the integrity of the road above and minimize disturbances to the slope, the boardwalk was constructed with minimal ground contact and hand-augered post-holes, following the hillside's contour rather than being flat. Since the construction of the Fonta Flora Trail Boardwalk, several new businesses have relocated to locations near the lake increasing recreation related services to trail users and promoting the economy of Burke County.
Third Place
Merrimon Avenue Road Diet
Nominated By:
French Broad River MPO
Modes:
Roadway, Bicycle, Pedestrian
The Merrimon Avenue Road Diet, which was completed in May 2024, converted a four-lane roadway to a three-lane road with a center turn lane and 5-foot bike lanes on each side. This conversion, which is known as a road diet, has provided better access for people using different modes of transportation and has made traveling safer for pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists. The project, which also involved resurfacing the road, has led to lower vehicle speeds and reduced the number of injury crashes along the stretch.
Small Urban Category Winners
Winner
Oklawaha Greenway Phase III
Nominated By:
City of Hendersonville
Modes:
Bicycle, Pedestrian, Public Transportation, Roadway
Completed in July 2019, the Oklawaha Greenway Phase III project enhances the area’s active transportation system by expanding the Oklawaha Greenway an additional 1.5 miles and completing a city-wide network that connects four parks in Hendersonville. The 10-foot-wide asphalt, multi-use path provides an inviting place for visitors to exercise in nature. The North Main Street sidewalk portion of the project creates a half-mile of sidewalk along a busy corridor where no walkway previously existed. A beautiful, 70-foot pedestrian bridge provides safe passage over Mud Creek and gives the Oklawaha Village direct greenway access.
Second Place
Antiquity Greenway
Nominated By:
Town of Cornelius
Modes:
Pedestrian, Bicycle
The Antiquity Greenway, a 0.6-mile trail in Cornelius, was completed in September 2019 and connects neighborhoods, businesses and schools while enhancing pedestrian and bicycle access. As part of Cornelius's "Emerald Necklace" and the Carolina Thread Trail, the greenway links to 10 miles of existing trails in Davidson and Cornelius north of Charlotte. The greenway features a scenic covered bridge and an elevated boardwalk, offering views of natural areas that help reduce flooding, improve air and water quality, and preserve wildlife habitats. It provides convenient, ADA-compliant access to downtown and nearby mass transit, benefiting residents of all ages.
Third Place
Ocracoke Express: Connecting Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands with Passenger Ferry and Tram Services
Nominated By:
Hyde County
Modes:
Bicycle, Pedestrian, Ferry, Public Transportation
The Ocracoke Express Passenger Ferry, launched by the NCDOT’s Ferry Division in 2019, connects Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands with a pedestrian ferry, providing a faster, more sustainable travel option between the two barrier islands. Hyde County provided a supporting tram service that passengers could use to ride around Ocracoke Island for free. The passenger ferry service was developed in response to longer ferry routes caused by shifting sands. The ferry has successfully served over 75,000 ferry passengers and more than 110,000 people have ridden the tram. By eliminating the need for cars, the passenger ferry and tram services enhance tourism, reduce congestion, and bypass unstable sections of N.C. 12. The services offer visitors an easy way to access and explore Ocracoke Village while boosting the local economy.
Innovation Category Winner
Winner
Little Sugar Creek Greenway, I-485 to James K. Polk Historic Site
Nominated By:
Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation
Modes:
Bicycle and Pedestrian
This portion of Little Sugar Creek Greenway connects the Cross Charlotte Trail to the President James K. Polk State Historic Site in Pineville. Since the project was completed in 2021, the Little Sugar Creek Greenway has provided easy and safe access to recreational activities and social connections for cyclists, walkers and runners. With access to uptown Charlotte, trail users have access to large malls for shopping and dining, as well as impressive wetlands and an overlook in Marsh Park. This 1.8-mile trail strengthens the connection between visitors, local wetlands, and wildlife, while highlighting the community's engagement with John Grade's public artwork, "STEM."
Second Place
City of Hendersonville
Nominated By:
City of Hendersonville
Modes:
Bicycle, Pedestrian, Public Transportation, Roadway
Completed in July 2019, the Oklawaha Greenway Phase III project enhances the area’s active transportation system by expanding the Oklawaha Greenway an additional 1.5 miles and completing a city-wide network that connects four parks in Hendersonville. The 10-foot-wide asphalt, multi-use path provides an inviting place for visitors to exercise in nature. The North Main Street sidewalk portion of the project creates a half-mile of sidewalk along a busy corridor where no walkway previously existed. A beautiful, 70-foot pedestrian bridge provides safe passage over Mud Creek and gives the Oklawaha Village direct greenway access.
Third Place
Fonta Flora Trail Boardwalk
Nominated By:
Burke County
Modes:
Bicycle and Pedestrian
Since it opened in 2021, the Fonta Flora Trail Boardwalk provides a safe trail connection for bicyclists and pedestrians to access Lake James. The project included the construction of 554 linear feet of new boardwalk, over 2,800 linear feet of new natural surface trail, and a new high visibility trail crossing at N.C. 126. To preserve the integrity of the road above and minimize disturbances to the slope, the boardwalk was constructed with minimal ground contact and hand-augered post-holes, following the hillside's contour rather than being flat. Since the construction of the Fonta Flora Trail Boardwalk, several new businesses have relocated to locations near the lake increasing recreation related services to trail users and promoting the economy of Burke County.
Most Voted Project
Winner
Oklawaha Greenway Phase III
Nominated By: City of Hendersonville
Modes:
Bicycle, Pedestrian, Public Transportation, Roadway
Completed in July 2019, the Oklawaha Greenway Phase III project enhances the area’s active transportation system by expanding the Oklawaha Greenway an additional 1.5 miles and completing a city-wide network that connects four parks in Hendersonville. The 10-foot-wide asphalt, multi-use path provides an inviting place for visitors to exercise in nature. The North Main Street sidewalk portion of the project creates a half-mile of sidewalk along a busy corridor where no walkway previously existed. A beautiful, 70-foot pedestrian bridge provides safe passage over Mud Creek and gives the Oklawaha Village direct greenway access.
Second Place
Reedy Creek Road Improvements
Nominated By:
Cary
Modes:
Bicycle, Pedestrian, Public Transportation, Roadway
The Reedy Creek Road Project transformed a two-lane road with shoulders and ditches into a multimodal, user-friendly corridor between Harrison Avenue and NE Maynard Road in Cary. The project connects residential and shopping areas, an elementary school and a middle school. The improvements addressed the lack of sidewalks and crosswalks, which had made it challenging and unsafe for residents, especially schoolchildren, to walk or bike. By adding sidewalks, bike lanes, landscaped medians, and two roundabouts, the project enhanced pedestrian and bicycle safety, increased usage, and improved traffic flow and aesthetics. The Reedy Creek Road Project addressed public health and safety concerns by transforming a hazardous corridor into a safer, multimodal route.
Thrid Place
Ocracoke Express: Connecting Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands with Passenger Ferry and Tram Services
Nominated By:
Hyde County
Modes:
Bicycle, Pedestrian, Ferry, Public Transportation
The Ocracoke Express Passenger Ferry, launched by the NCDOT's Ferry Division in 2019, connects Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands with a pedestrian ferry, providing a faster, more sustainable travel option between the two barrier islands. Hyde County provided a supporting tram service that passengers could use to ride around Ocracoke Island for free. The passenger ferry service was developed in response to longer ferry routes caused by shifting sands. The ferry has successfully served over 75,000 ferry passengers and more than 110,000 people have ridden the tram. By eliminating the need for cars, the passenger ferry and tram services enhance tourism, reduce congestion, and bypass unstable sections of N.C. 12. The services offer visitors an easy way to access and explore Ocracoke Village while boosting the local economy.
Note: All this year’s contestants were entered into the Most Voted Project category. The project galleries were opened to an online public vote, with the top three winners being the projects with the highest number of votes. This year, people could select from among 20 entries, showcasing a range of projects including improvements to public transportation, new bicycle and pedestrian paths, and enhancements that made roads safer and more accessible to people using different modes of travel. The public was able to vote using a website and social media, and each person could cast a ballot up to three times a day. Oklawaha Greenway Phase III in Hendersonville was the top vote-getter with 3,266 votes followed by the Second Place finisher Reedy Creek Road Improvements in Cary with 1,896 votes, and Ocracoke Express: Connecting Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands with Passenger Ferry and Tram Services in Third Place with 199 votes.
