Dunn-Erwin Rail-Trail - Dunn, NC - Rails to Trails on Waymarking.com

A sign at the Dunn Trail Head reads as follows:

"On April 26, 2000, the Dunn-Erwin Railway became North Carolina's first federally railbanked corridor with a state conservation easement. Federal railbanking keeps the status of the rail corridoer active, designates it for interim public use as a trail, and preserves it for future rail use.

The Aberdeen & Rockfish Railroad, a North Carolina family owned shortline, had acqired the Dunn-Erwin section of the former Durham & Southern Railroad from CSX in 1987 to deliver coal to Swift Denim (Erwin) Mills power plant. The Dunn-Erwin Railway made its final delivery in February, 1998. The mill had switched to truck delivered oil. without its primary customer, the D-E Railway discontinued running, and the A&R sought ways to dispose of the rail corridor.

In February 2001, the rail ballast was converted into a trail and shortly thereafter, the trail was opened to the public. The vision for this trail continues. The vision isthat [it] become a county-owned private foundation-maintained paved trail in a linear park connecting Dunn and Erwin with a junction at the Black River nature corridor and wetlands greenway.

Volunteers are always needed. To volunteer or find out how to contribute, call the Tourism Office at 910-892-3282."

To reach the Dunn trailhead, from I-95 at Exit 73, Proceed NW on US 421 & NC Rt. 55 (Cumberland Street). Turn right (NE) on Orange Avenue & proceed to the intersection with West Harnett Street. The best parking is available on the street and at Harnett Primary School (around N 35° 18.840 W 078° 36.880). From here, you can walk NE for about 1/2 block along Orange Avenue to meet the trail. The trailhead site and sign are located 1 block to the SE at Ellis Avenue, but there is no dedicated parking - so it's best to enter at the point described above.

Country: United States State/Province/etc.: North Carolina Trail Start (town): Dunn Trail Finish (town): Erwin Trail Length: 5 Trail Surface: Gravel/Stone Pack Animals Allowed: no Fees: no Internet Link(s): http://www.traillink.com/ViewTrail.aspx?AcctID=6032288 Rail-to-Trail Sign: Not listed

Visit Instructions:
A Trail Review
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Recent Visits/Logs:

Date Logged Log User Rating   05/21/2017 NCDaywalker visited it