Three Burke County communities have successfully reached their fundraising goals and installed new Storybook Trails, expanding a countywide network that combines literacy, outdoor recreation, and family fun. Storybook Trails feature the pages of a children's book displayed along a walking path, allowing families to read a story while enjoying a park or trail. The concept supports early...

Rutherford College Storybook Trail Opens Along Greenway Families visiting Rutherford College now have a new opportunity to combine reading, walking, and outdoor recreation thanks to the completion of the Rutherford College Storybook Trail. Located along the town's quarter-mile greenway, the Storybook Trail allows children and families to enjoy a story one page at a time while walking the...

Drexel Storybook Trail Opens at Ro Huffman Center Families in Drexel now have a new way to enjoy reading, walking, and spending time together outdoors. The Drexel Storybook Trail was recently installed at the Ro Huffman Center, creating an interactive experience where children and families can read a story one page at a time while walking the trail. The project was made possible...

Kids on bikes. Kids on trails. Kids outdoors. That's a future Burke River Trail Association loves to support. BRTA recently joined Grow with Drexel's Bike Rodeo, where more than 40 children had their bikes and helmets checked, practiced riding through an obstacle course, and received free helmets through an NCDOT safety program. BRTA added a little creativity to the day with pipe-cleaner bike...

When Aubrey Sanders, a junior at East Burke High School, saw an opportunity to work with Beth Heile and the Burke River Trail to bring a Storybook Trail to the new park located in the Town of Hildebran, she was excited to support the project. Reading is something that she has always loved to do, stemming from her grandmother taking her to the library when she was young. Being a part of helping...

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BRTA Board Member Michael Lowther Speaking Today’s ribbon cutting at Catawba Meadows Park marked the completion of something years in the making—more than five miles of professionally designed mountain bike trails that will serve riders, families, and student-athletes for years to come. But behind every trail is a vision—and a person willing to believe in it early. For the...

A Simple Gathering, A Bigger Signal: Burke County Welcomes the Train Back On a clear Saturday morning in Valdese, something simple—and meaningful—happened. On 65 people gathered along the railroad tracks to welcome the return of freight rail service through Western North Carolina following the damage caused by Hurricane Helene. There were no tickets, no stage, and no formal...

Ashtyn Smith, Cessy Smith, Lindy Hudson Jr, Katie Purgason, Lexi Purgason, Julie Hudson From a 1917 General Store to a Trail Partner: Lindy’s Invests in Connelly Springs’ Future For more than a century, Lindy’s Furniture has been a cornerstone of Connelly Springs. Founded in 1917 as a general store, the business has grown and adapted through generations—always rooted in family...

Upcoming Events Sunday, June 28 - 3:00pm – Trail Town Trash – Litter Gitters - Meet at Glen Alpine Town Hall Vests, gloves, grabbers, bags provided. Caring for Place. One Bag at a Time. Trail Town Trash is Burke River Trail Association’s ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship across the Burke River Trail corridor. BRTA first became involved in roadside...

This week, Burke River Trail Association helped connect local leadership with federal resources in a meaningful way. Ted Budd’s office, represented by Kye Laughter, joined Beth Heile for a series of visits across five Burke River Trail Towns: Drexel, Glen Alpine, Hildebran, Rutherford College, and Rhodhiss. Local Voices, Shared Priorities At each stop, town leaders had the...

Leaders from across Burke County’s trail, tourism, and outdoor recreation community gathered on April 2 for the fourth Burke County Trails Summit, a collaborative meeting focused on advancing trail development, coordination, and long-term impact. Organized by the Burke River Trail Association, the Summit brought together representatives from local governments, state parks, nonprofits, and...

Donate Glen Alpine Veterans Memorial – Help Make It Accessible The Glen Alpine Veterans Memorial stands as a powerful tribute to the men and women who have served our country. It is a place of reflection, honor, and remembrance — marked by flags representing each branch of the military, a Battlefield Cross symbolizing sacrifice, and engraved bricks bearing the names of nearly...

This week, Burke River Trail kiosks and entrance signs were installed in four Trail Towns (one to go). Seeing them in place is exciting—not because they are signs, but because of what they represent. They represent momentum.They represent towns coming together around a shared vision.They represent places that are ready. When you see a Burke River Trail sign, you’ll know what to...