Challenge
The Gullah Geechee Corridor, stretching from Jacksonville, Florida, to Jacksonville, North Carolina, includes a proposed paved trail through Brunswick County and the Towns of Navassa, Leland, and Belville. The project faced a complex challenge: identifying a preferred alignment that would serve all communities while minimizing environmental impacts in a sensitive area with numerous historical and cultural sites. The goal was to balance access and connectivity with preservation of the region’s natural and cultural resources.
Solution
Our team facilitated collaborative community engagement across the four jurisdictions affected by the trail. The project team worked with residents and local leaders to identify a preferred alignment as well as several spur and alternate alignments. This inclusive approach helped build broad support for the trail and ensured that community priorities informed the design.
The Outcome
Connecting Communities While Preserving Culture in the Gullah Geechee Corridor
Even as portions of the trail were already in various phases of construction, the feasibility study established a consistent design for a continuous route through northern Brunswick County. The study also identified additional project partners, including the National Park Service, as well as multiple funding sources to cover the cost of construction and right-of-way. Once completed, the trail is expected to have a large impact on non-motorized connectivity between neighboring towns and to draw local and regional visitors, offering opportunities to experience and learn about the distinctive culture of the Gullah Geechee people.
