Beth

What does the Burke River Trail Association really do? We are not just trail builders – we are community builders!! We use trails as a catalyst for stronger communities, economic opportunity, and quality of life across Burke County. That means…

Trails and tails go together! Today, representatives from six Burke River Trail Towns visited SynergyLabs in Hildebran to receive donated pet waste stations that will soon be installed along local trails and parks in Valdese, Glen Alpine, Drexel, Hildebran, Morganton,…

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…

Take a trip around Burke County to see existing Burke River Trail trailheads and trail sections. Extra Cool Map to scroll around and see Locations This is a section of that Extra Cool Map Current Access Points Listed from West…

A Regional Outdoor Recreation Vision for Eastern Burke County July 1, 2026 – Burke River Trail Association, the Town of Rhodhiss, and Destination by Design gathered at Weaver Lane Boat Ramp to officially kick off the master planning process for…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

Throughout the month of April, the Burke County Chamber of Commerce brought the community together through the 2026 B.I.G. (Burke Impact Group) Challenge — a countywide call to serve, volunteer, and make a meaningful impact. From litter sweeps to creative…

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…

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…

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…

Upcoming Events 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…

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…