LELAND, UNITED STATES

North Carolina Gullah Geechee Greenway-Blueway Heritage Trail

Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the largest and most pre-eminent civil rights organization in the nation. Our mission at both the national and local level is to secure the political, environmental, educational, social, and economic equality of rights in order to eliminate race-based discrimination and ensure the health and well-being of all persons regardless of color. Here in Brunswick County nearly 250 members strong are involved in pursuit of this long-standing mission.

This greenway/blueway corridor, once established, will represent a canvas upon which our local communities and its citizens will be able to paint the footprints of their connection to the historical and cultural significance of Gullah slaves who once walked and toiled on this land centuries ago. Moreover, it holds great potential to bring people of every age and every racial/ethnic background in a way that will improve our quality of life while strengthening the social, economic, and environmental well-being of our county. Our vision of this greenway/blueway includes existing and proposed riverfront walkways and kayak launches, parks, bicycle/pedestrian multi-use paths, all connecting and linking the natural, historic, cultural, and recreational resources of our area.

As the fastest growing county in North Carolina and the fourth fastest growing county in the USA, this is a unique opportunity to help our newcomers and their families understand the Gullah Geechee people, culture, and history. As a principal partner in this effort, the East Coast Greenway Alliance (ECGA) will assist us the effort to link our greenway/blueway project into the 3,000-mile East Coast Greenway. We believe this project will promote healthy living by creating new recreational opportunities that provide safe, inexpensive avenues for regular exercise for people living in rural, urban and suburban areas while preserving our natural resources that are vitally important to a healthy way of life and sense of place.

We have developed six overarching goals for this project:

Educational outreach by increasing a local, regional, and national understanding and awareness of Gullah Geechee people, culture, and history.A post-pandemic economic recovery platform that supports tourism and businesses while promoting the preservation of the land and natural resources that are important to a healthy way of life and a sense of place.Documentation and preservation of historic places that connect and bond our residents and visitors to the fabric of our society by preserving, celebrating, and providing access to them.Promote healthy living by creating new recreational opportunities that provide safe, inexpensive avenues for regular exercise for people living in our rapidly growing rural, urban, and suburban areas.Protect the environment and important habitat and provide corridors for people and wildlife; andProvide a link to the larger matrix of the 3,000-mile East Coast Greenway.