The Village of Pinehurst could take another step toward improving connections between Pinewild and the village’s commercial areas through a newly proposed walking and biking trail.
During its Oct. 27 meeting, the Pinehurst Village Council unanimously approved a resolution supporting a grant application for a feasibility study of a potential paved trail connecting N.C. Highway 5 and Linden Road near the Pinewild Country Club community.
The study would help determine whether the trail is feasible, identify potential obstacles, and estimate the cost of construction. The proposed route would largely follow existing railroad tracks, where an informal path already exists along portions of the corridor.
The grant program offers funding for paved trail feasibility studies across North Carolina. Village staff estimated Pinehurst could receive approximately $60,000, with a required 20% local match of about $12,000.
The funding would cover the study, not construction of the trail.
The proposed trail would address a longstanding concern from Pinewild residents who want a safer, more direct way to reach Pinehurst’s amenities without relying on a car.
Council members said residents have repeatedly asked about options for traveling between the community and the village, particularly by golf cart.
Village staff presented a preliminary route that would follow the railroad corridor and connect with an existing golf cart crossing near N.C. Highway 5. The route could potentially extend toward Elliot’s, with a crossing near the Pinewild entrance along Linden Road also under consideration.
However, council members needed to discuss how the village would separate trail users from the railroad tracks.
Mayor Pro Tem Taylor said the possibility of children using the trail made safety a worthy concern.
The study would examine potential safety measures, including fencing between the trail and railroad tracks. The village would also potentially work with railroad representatives and affected property owners to identify concerns before moving forward.
Preserving the existing tree buffer is another consideration. Staff said the corridor already has an informal path along much of its length, though some tree removal could be necessary, mostly in areas where a clear path does not currently exist.
The village also would need to consider whether golf carts and bicycles could safely share the proposed route.
Council members expressed support for exploring the idea, even as they acknowledged that the study could reveal obstacles that prevent the project from moving forward, and the resolution was approved.
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Abegail Murphy | Assistant Editor
Article and photo by Sandhills Sentinel assistant editor Abegail Murphy. Abegail has been writing for Sandhills Sentinel since 2021.
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