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Archived Outdoors

Grant allows kids hiking trails to expand

out kidtrailsTrail adventures for kids will expand in North Carolina over the coming years, thanks to a $921,000 grant from the Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation.

The grant, given to the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation’s Kids in Parks program, will increase TRACK Trails — the name given to a network of outdoor adventures aimed at kids — with the goal of designating at least one in every county. An app for mobile devices will also be part of the effort, guiding adventurers to hiking, canoeing, disc golf and biking paths. 

Since its inception in 2008, Kids in Parks has resulted in 58 trails opening in 35 North Carolina counties, with 10 more slated to open this year. The trails are concentrated in North Carolina but open in other states as well — nationwide, more than 100 exist. 

TRACKers can log their adventures at www.kidsinparks.com to earn prizes and read trail profiles to plan their next adventure. A map showing trail locations is also available on that site.