Paddle Trails
Exciting news! After more than a year of meeting, planning, scouting, and mapping, GSG’s paddle trails project took a giant step forward in fall of 2024. The Elizabeth City and Pasquotank County grant writers collaborated on a Great Trails State Grant application. In July 2025, the grant was approved!
More than 20 miles of river and no public kayak/canoe launch points. For a paddle trail, we need one about every 5 miles.
The grant will pay for the crucial first steps of trail development — a feasibility study, public input sessions, detailed site assessments, and professional development of planning documents. The consultant firm’s timeline for completion of these foundational services is 2 years, and the cost is $125,000. The Great Trails State Grant will cover $100,000, with a $25,000 local match required.
The proposal was approved by the county commissioners on August 19, 2024 and the Elizabeth City City Council on August 26, 2024.
The grant writers asked for letters of support from the community for the Pasquotank Blueways Development Study to submit with the grant application and we delivered! With our help, the city received 49 letters of support for the proposal from businesses, organizations, and individuals and pledges of more than $11,000 toward the $25,000 local match. This outpouring of public support made the grant application more competitive.
We look forward to working with the company selected to complete the feasibility study. Once the study is done, the city and county will be well-positioned for future construction dollars.
Many thanks to our members, friends, local businesses, and community organizations for taking action!