Celebrating National Trails Day 2025 with a Stronger Sense of Community

Chris Herndon, Triangle Trails Executive Committee Member and Rashawn KIng, Progam Manager meet with event attendees.

On National Trails Day, we joined local partners and residents in Cary to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Kids Together Playground.

On Saturday, June 7, 2025 Triangle Trails Initiative joined local partners and residents in Cary to celebrate National Trails Day and the 25th Anniversary of Kids Together Playground. Held at Marla Dorrel Park, the event offered a meaningful way to experience the Hinshaw Greenway, connect with local organizations, and recognize how trails continue to bring people together across our region. Chris Herndon, Executive Committee Member, and Rashawn King, Program Manager, were both in attendance, engaging with participants and sharing in conversations about the future of trails in the Triangle. The event featured booths from local groups—including @trianglelandconservancy—and highlighted opportunities to support and engage with trails at the local level. Thank you Town of Cary,

Walking the Talk

Participants took part in a ~1.5-mile walk along the Hinshaw Greenway, enjoying the shaded path while learning more about the importance of accessible greenways.

A Playground Milestone

This year’s event also marked 25 years of Kids Together Playground, an inclusive play space that has long been a destination for families in Cary. Located near the greenway, it’s a reminder of how thoughtfully planned public spaces can enhance both recreation and community health.

Why It Matters

National Trails Day is a celebration, but it’s also a moment to reflect on the long-term vision behind the Triangle Trails Initiative: a fully connected, equitable trail network linking all 15 counties in the Research Triangle. Events like this one reinforce the importance of partnerships—between towns, nonprofits, civic groups, and trail users—who all play a role in making that vision a reality.

Keep the Momentum Going

Even though National Trails Day comes just once a year, the energy around trails continues to build. Whether you're walking, biking, volunteering, or simply spreading the word, you’re part of the movement.

📍 Explore a new trail🤝 Support local trail initiatives📸 Share your journey using #TriangleTrails

Together, we’re building a region that’s more connected—one trail at a time.