City of rocky mount's sunset park mult-use natural surface trail & renovation project

The City of Rocky Mount received a $125,000 Formula Grant award from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) under the Recreational Trails Program (CFDA 20.219) on September 5, 2025, to support comprehensive trail infrastructure improvements in Sunset Park. The project will extend the existing six-mile multi-use natural surface trail system by 1.5 miles (7,920 linear feet) at approximately 30 inches in width, while simultaneously renovating 6,000 linear feet of existing greenway trail. Additionally, the project includes installation of a four-post, six-panel trailhead kiosk at the convergence point of the city's three trail systems (multi-use natural surface, greenway, and paddle trail) to provide consolidated information and maps for all users.

The award also funds the relocation of Sunset Park's paddle trail access point to an improved location within the park that will enhance parking availability, increase user convenience, and reduce conflicts among different user groups. The ultimate completion date for the project is July 3, 2030. These improvements are administered through the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) and will enhance recreational access across approximately 400 contiguous acres of parkland while connecting five parks throughout Rocky Mount.

Project description

The city of rocky mount parks and recreation department manages three types of trail systems: multi-use natural surface, greenway and paddle trail. All three intersect in sunset park. The project will: connect to the existing six miles of multi-use natural surface trail and extend IT by 1.5 miles (7,920 FT) with a width of +/-30 inches. Rocky mount has 7 miles of greenway connecting five parks and approximately 400 contiguous acres of parkland. Renovation of 6,000 of of greenway will occur in the project. IT will provide a four post, six panel trailhead kiosk at a location all three trail systems intersect, providing information and maps for each and the project will relocate the sunset park paddle trail access to a better location within the park to provide improved parking, greater convenience and less user conflict.