2023 Year of the Trail in the Heart of NC Event Round Up

Piedmont Legacy Trails Produces Randolph County Trail Guide

We invite you to join trail enthusiasts and lovers in each city and town throughout Randolph County as we celebrate their special outdoor amenities with ribbon cutting events and activities in honor of 2023's Year of the Trail in North Carolina. 

Before your trail adventures begin, check out this video from The Great Trails State Coalition Trails for the Future: How History is Shaping Trail Development in Randolph County.     

 Early Spring | March & April

Photo Credit: Piedmont Legacy Trails | Creekside Park in Archdale

Healthy Communities invites you to join their Sunday Hike Adventures on March 12 – Spring into Action – Hike from Mundo Vista at Camp Caraway to Slip Rock Mountain and April 16 – Celebrate Trails – Hike to the top of Mount Shepherd, the highest elevation in Randolph County. 

·         The City of Archdale will host a ribbon cutting event at the Creekside Greenway – Outer Loop.

·         The City of Randleman will hold a ribbon cutting at the Worthville Blueway.

·         The Town of Seagrove will host a trek through town along their Downtown sidewalks.  

Late Spring | May & June  May/June

Photo Credit: Piedmont Legacy Trails | Caraway Mountain Top in Asheboro

Healthy Communities hosts their Sunday Hike Adventures on May 21 – Explore NC – Hike to Russell Gold Mine in the Uwharrie National Forest and June 3 – National Trail Day – Celebrate at the North Carolina Zoo’s event.

Join the team from Piedmont Land Conservancy as they hold a ribbon cutting at Caraway Creek Preserve.

·        The City of Asheboro will host trail lovers to explore the newly opened Zoo City Sportsplex facility.

·       The North Carolina Zoo celebrates National Trail Day on June 3^rd with a ribbon cutting of the Purgatory Mountain Spring Trail.

 

Summer | July & August

Photo Credit: Piedmont Legacy Trails | Randleman Section of Deep River State Trail

Healthy Communities continues Sunday Hike Adventures on July 16 – Celebrate NC Parks – Hike the newly opened trails at Piedmont Land Conservancy’s Caraway Creek Preserve with a view of Mount Shepherd and Caraway Mountain and August 13 – Wellness and Trails – Hike to Cooper Mountain Cemetery from Robbins Branch Trailhead in the Birkhead Wilderness of the Uwharrie National Forest. 

·         The Town of Ramseur will host a ribbon cutting for a trail extension and trailhead.

·         The Town of Liberty will showcase improvements at Freedom Park to celebrate their trails.

·         The City of Randleman will hold a ribbon cutting event at Phase III of their Greenway. 

Fall | September & October

Photo Credit: Piedmont Legacy Trails | Uwharrie National Forest - Birkhead Wilderness Area

Healthy Communities invites you to join their Fall Sunday Hike Adventures on September 10 – Achieve a Trail Goal – Hike to Cooler’s Knob, the highest point in the Birkhead Wilderness and Colonel Balfour Grave Site from Tot Hill Farm Trailhead and the entire month of October is filled with Mayor’s Fitness Challenge events from all municipalities across Randolph County – Wellness Walks on Saturdays and Hikes on Sundays. 

·      The Town of Franklinville will host a ribbon cutting at Sandy Creek Bridge. 

·       Enjoy a Uwharrie Trail Thru Hike with beginner and advanced hikers – learn about our natural beauty and history of the Uwharrie National Forest.                        

Late Fall & Early Winter | November & December

Photo Credit: Piedmont Legacy Trails | Franklinville Section of Deep River State Trail

Mayor’s Fitness Challenge events continue in November with walks on November 4 & 11 and a hike on November 5, there are no planned hikes in the month of December – find your outdoor adventure. 

·     The Town of Franklinville will host a ribbon cutting event from the center of Franklinville to Sapona.

*NOTE: All Healthy Communities Hikes begin at 2 pm at the site. Some dates and sites may be subject to change pending any weather or scheduling issues. Please check with Mary Joan Pugh, Randolph County Trails Coordinator – maryjoan.pugh@randolphcountync.gov    

When can we expect you? Visit HeartofNorthCarolina.com for places to stay and special military discount offers! Order a FREE travel guide and check out the listing of annual events on our bit.ly/HNCVBCalendar . We look forward to following along on your visit. Tag us at #theHeartofNC.    

                         

 

 

Feel Your Heart Race: Why We Love Richard Petty

The heartbeat of NASCAR can be felt right here in #TheHeartofNC, the birthplace, and home of “The King,” race car driver and legend, Richard Petty. Petty was destined to become a racing great. His father, Lee Petty, helped pioneer the sport and won the inaugural Daytona 500 in 1959. What began with Lee continued with Richard, his son Kyle, and eventually, Kyle's son Adam and his daughter's son Thad Moffitt. 

About Richard Petty: NASCAR Legend

In 1958 at the age of 21, Richard Petty drove in his first NASCAR event and in 1959 won his first race at Columbia Motor Speedway. Today Petty is one of the most respected and well-known figures in motorsports. He was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame In Charlotte in 2010 in its inaugural class. His career was full of highs, winning the Winston Cup Championship 7 times, the Daytona 500 7 times, 200 wins in NASCAR competitions, and over 700 top ten finishes throughout his career. With so many victories and accomplishments under his belt, Petty has remained humble. Fans could always find Petty staying late to sign autographs and he was voted the Winston Cup's most popular driver 9 times.  

Visitors to The Petty Museum in Randleman, NC can re-live or learn firsthand the great moments in Petty family racing history. The museum is located next to the The Toomes- Petty House where Richard and his brother were raised. At the museum, guests can see and photograph The King’s belt buckle collection, championship rings, trophies, and a multitude of cars driven by the Petty family throughout the decades. Even those who are not NASCAR fans warm to the daring family stories, videos, collection and displays of this museum. 

Petty as the voice of Strip "The King" Weathers in "Cars"

Today’s younger generation knows Richard Petty as the voice of Strip “The King” Weathers from the Disney Pixar animated trilogy, “Cars.” A little-known fact, Richard's late wife, Lynda Petty, voiced Mrs. "The King" Weathers. At the Petty Museum, visitors can see these characters in real life, immortalized in Petty blue.

How Victory Junction Changes Lives

We can brag on Richard Petty’s incredible racing career for days on end, but what he and his family have achieved beyond the racetrack is rooted in their love of community and family. In 2000, Richard Petty’s grandson and fellow NASCAR driver, Adam Petty, was tragically killed in a practice crash at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on May 12, 2000.

Only nineteen years old at the time of his death, Adam left behind a compelling and compassionate vision of helping children with mental and physical disabilities.

In June 2004, Victory Junction Camp opened its doors in Adam’s honor. Its mission is to enrich the lives of children with serious illnesses by providing life-changing camping experiences that are exciting, fun and empowering, at no cost to children or their families.

The camp runs solely on donations from the generous public. Funding is raised from signature events such as Run to Victory (a 10k/5k/Fun Run), Hearts of Victory Fundraising Dinners, and the Campership Classic Disc Golf Tournament. You can donate online, or attend one of the many events throughout the community.

The camp is colorful and joyous—with bright, high-energy designs in all activity areas as well. Ziplines and outdoor activities are designed for campers with physical disabilities. A larger-than-life version of the #45 car that Adam Petty drove can be seen at Adam’s Race Shop and is a beloved camp area. Cabins are specially tailored to accommodate the changing medical needs of each group of campers. 

A racetrack is the camp’s central base and used to highlight camp activities. Each camp session hosts NASCARnival night with games, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, and tethered hot air balloon rides. Oftentimes race teams such as Legacy Motor Club, Penske, and Roush Fenway Racing will send drivers and pit crews for these events. The teams perform a live-action pit stop complete with tire changes while campers are encouraged to take part and feel like a member of the crew.

Doctors, nurses, therapists, and medical support teams volunteer to come in for each week in their medical specialty, creating a magical experience for the campers….and allowing caregivers and parents to take the only breaks many of these families ever receive.

The Richard Petty Tribute Park 

The legacy of Richard Petty is interwoven throughout the hills of Randolph County, as well as the racing community. The Richard Petty Tribute Park is a way of giving back to the man who has done so much for so many. The life size statue, created and designed by Carolina Bronze Sculpture, was revealed on April 15, 2023 during a special dedication in Downtown Randleman. Pictured above, The King and his daughters, Sharon and Rebecca, get a first look at the casting.      

We look forward to following along during your visit – tag us at #theHeartofNC. Make sure to order your FREE travel guide bit.ly/FREETravelGuide for more planning tips.

Randolph County includes Archdale, Asheboro, Franklinville, Liberty, Ramseur, Randleman, Seagrove, Staley, and Trinity.