Beth

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…

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…

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…

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…

When asked, Rutherford College, Drexel and Hildebran each responded to BRTA that they would like a Storybook Trail in their town. Valdese and Morganton already have them. For each town, BRTA will put in $2000. Fundraising is happening for the…

The Burke River Trail Association (BRTA) is excited to announce that BRTA Board Member Melinda Wallrichs has secured a Thrivent Action Team Grant to help bring a new children’s program to communities across the Burke River Trail corridor. Thrivent Action…

The People Carrying the Story Forward In 1780, patriot militia known as the “Overmountain Men” marched across the mountains and through the foothills of North Carolina on their way to the Battle of Kings Mountain — a decisive victory that…

Why BRTA Supports House Bill 369 The Burke River Trail Association recently joined a discussion with Ryan Carter of the Catawba Riverkeeper about House Bill 369 – the Parking Lot Reform and Modernization Act, currently being considered by the North…

The Town of Valdese has voted to accept a 5.69-acre land donation from Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina — a major step forward for Children’s Park, a Burke River Trail Connector and the future of the Wilderness Gateway State Trail…

A Natural Partner to the Burke River Trail The Upper Catawba River Paddle Trail flows through the heart of Burke County — the same corridor that the Burke River Trail (BRT) is working to connect by land. While BRT is…

NC Commerce Visits Glen Alpine: Planning for Downtown Opportunity The Burke River Trail Association believes trails are more than recreational amenities—they are catalysts for community vitality. As Glen Alpine continues to build momentum around its Downtown Park and town-center investments,…

We are pleased to present our 2025 Annual Report. If you are a BRTA member, the printed report will be coming to your mailbox soon. You can also request a printed report – just send an email to burketrails@gmail.com

The Burke River Trail Association (BRTA) is proud to renew our Gold Membership in the Great Trails State Coalition—a statewide partnership that is shaping the future of trails in North Carolina. We are members because the Coalition speaks with one…

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 cleanups during the March 2024 Burke County Chamber…

Service with a Purpose: NCSSM Students Turn Cleanup into Advocacy on MLK Day When Burke River Trail Association was invited to partner with the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics for a Day of Service, the choice of project…

Why this moment matters for WNC For the last three years, BRTA has said what many of us already believed: our Trail Towns could also be Rail Towns. Now, Western North Carolina is closer than it has been in 50…

The Burke River Trail Association is proud to announce that the Mull Foundation has awarded funding to support furnishings for the new Glen Alpine Downtown Park. This $9,800 investment helps bring to life a space designed for connection and belonging…

Exploring trail routes is both an art and a science, and sometimes the most challenging sections end up becoming the most spectacular. Recently, we brought in trail designer Joseph Litaker of Black Diamond Trail Designs to walk a potential new…

Did you know that surveyors play a critical role in getting trails off the ground—long before a single tree is trimmed or a shovel hits the dirt? When most people picture trail building, they think of shovels, gravel, bridges, and…

NC Commerce Visits Glen Alpine and Drexel The Burke River Trail is more than a trail — it’s a catalyst for community revitalization. As part of our ongoing work to help Burke County’s Trail Towns prepare for the economic opportunities…