Chatham County

Chatham County recently adopted a new Parks and Recreation Master Plan. The County has completed and opened for public use 26 miles of natural surface trails and 6.7 miles of paved greenway (4.9 miles are the American Tobacco Trail). Approximately 24 miles of trails are located in the Briar Chapel residential community. The greenway plan portion of the Parks and Recreation Master Plan envisions the future development of 86 miles of trails throughout the County. The highest priority corridor among the 14 listed in the plan is the Lower Haw River corridor. ​ The Lower Haw River Corridor is the top priority greenway project in Chatham County and represents one of the signature greenways in the County. The Haw River corridor is divided into two sections, Upper Haw River and Lower Haw River. This 14-mile corridor supports both a Blueway and Greenway. The Lower Haw River Corridor is a 6.4-mile corridor, and the Upper Haw River is an 8-mile corridor. Chatham County has partnered with the Friends of the Lower Haw River State Natural Area to begin a detailed planning effort for the river corridor that extends through the County. North Carolina’s most heavily used urban greenway is the American Tobacco Trail. The trail winds its way through a stunning Loblolly Forest in Chatham County. The trail extends from Chatham County approximately 22 miles into downtown Durham. The trail is constructed on an abandoned rail line, so the grade is fairly flat. The American Tobacco Trail even has its own fan club on Facebook, where you can find announcements, photos, events, and other information.  The community of Briar Chapel offers a wide array of trails that were constructed for the benefit of local residents. The Briar Chapel Mountain Bike Trail is one of the Triangle's best, and is an excellent venue for beginners and children of all ages.