Unification Through Trails: The Osgood Canal Greenway & Urban Trail Grant

“The $443,408 allowance, matched by the town to equate to a total budget of $886,816, will allow Burgaw to expand the Osgood Canal Greenway & Urban Trail an additional two miles on the west side of town.”

In true Burgaw fashion, welcoming the fall season with a blueberry-pumpkin candle atop her desk in Burgaw’s tourism office, Mayor Olivia Dawson kindly offers us the scoop on the upcoming events in town and the recent State Parks and Recreation grant received by Burgaw. 

The $443,408 allowance, matched by the town to equate to a total budget of $886,816, will allow Burgaw to expand the Osgood Canal Greenway & Urban Trail an additional two miles on the west side of town. “We are a trail town” the mayor professes with enthusiasm, citing a little known fact that Burgaw is actually Segment 14 of the infamous North Carolina Mountains-to-Sea Trail. 

This expansion will include picnic and outdoor recreation areas which will not only allow locals to enjoy the beautiful nature found weaving throughout the town but will also offer connectivity in a railroad-partitioned community. As of now, there aren’t sufficient walking trails that allow people who live just outside of downtown to enjoy the walkability Burgaw cherishes as small town America. Mayor Dawson states she would “love [Burgaw] to be more walkable and bike friendly.” 

Mayor Dawson says the town has three years to complete the project but she believes it’ll be done much sooner. Many locals seem excited and encouraged by the growth and believe that the grant will inspire people of all ages to enjoy more of the refreshing nature and charming offerings of downtown Burgaw.