The town of Spencer and The LandTrust for Central North Carolina are co-hosting a community forum to review the proposed interior trail layout and temporary parking plans for the Spencer Woods property on Thursday, Oct. 25, from 6-8 p.m. at the Spencer Fire Station at 208 S. Salisbury Ave. in Spencer. The event is free and open to all members of the public.
LandTrust board member Bob Pendergrass will lead guided hikes of the proposed trail layout earlier in the day, between noon and 2 p.m., and again at 5:15 p.m. The guided hikes are by RSVP only; please RSVP to landtrust@landtrustcnc.org or call 704-647-0302.
The public is also invited to walk the proposed trail on their own. The trail layout is blazed in red survey ribbon and laminated maps have been posted on the property to orient visitors. It can be accessed from Rowan Avenue. Please note the trail has not been cleared or constructed at this time and you may have to walk through and around brush and fallen trees, wet spots, down steep grades and navigate other common impediments in uncleared natural areas.
The 42-acre property was acquired by The LandTrust last year. The trail design was conceptualized by the North Carolina Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects (NCASLA) at their planning charrette held last January and blazed by Jeremy Early Trailworks. A special ad hoc “Spencer Woods Trail Committee,” chaired by Bob Pendergrass, has overseen the trail design and layout process.
“The purpose of the hearing is to give the public the opportunity to experience, review and give feedback on the proposed trail layout,” says LandTrust executive director Jason Walser. “All are invited to attend.”
RSVPs for the Oct. 25 hearing will be accepted but are not required. To RSVP, or for more information, contact the LandTrust at 704-647-0302 or via e-mail at landtrust@landtrustcnc.org.