On Saturday, October 21, 2023, the Mayor, City Council members, City of Shelby staff, North Carolina government officials, and representatives from various agencies and businesses gathered with members of the community for a ribbon cutting ceremony for Phase 1 of the new Carolina Harmony Trail during the Shelby Trail Days Event.  This beautiful first phase of the trail is only the beginning and is something we are very proud to present to our community and visitors from both near and far. Enjoy your new Carolina Harmony Trail, and let the next phase begin!

On Wednesday, November 16, 2022, the Mayor, City Council members, City of Shelby staff, and members of the community gathered together to break ground on a project that has been in the making since 2007. What began as a vision for a premiere trail project in our community now begins to be realized with the upcoming construction of the first phase of the Carolina Harmony Trail.

Groundbreaking Ceremony: November 16, 2022
Pictured left to right are Rick Howell - City Manager, Ben Yarboro - Assistant City Manager, Justin Merritt - Assistant City Manager, Emilie Bullock - City Council Member, Charles Webber - City Council Member, Violet Arth - City Council Member, Mayor Stan Anthony,  Andrew Hopper - City Council Member, David Causby - City Council Member.

Click below to read the Star's full article about the groundbreaking ceremony.

About the Carolina Harmony Trail
The City of Shelby has been planning the development of a rail trail in our community since 2007. The Carolina Harmony Trail (formerly known as the Shelby RAIL Trail) is a trail system that will include 10.2 miles of unused railroad corridor that runs through Shelby, Patterson Springs, and Earl, North Carolina.

The Carolina Harmony Trail is part of the Carolina Thread Trail system, and will be a premiere trail system that walkers, runners, and bicyclists of all ages and fitness levels can enjoy for years to come. It is projected to bring significant economic impact to Shelby, and Cleveland County, while contributing to the health and wellbeing of local citizens, and visitors from across the region through recreational use of the trail.

We look forward to working together with you to make this dream a reality for our community!

An important element in the success of this project is the support from our local community. There are several ways you can show your support for the Carolina Harmony Trail that we have listed below:

• Add your name to the Online Community Support Form below and click the "Submit" button.

• Copy the link below and send it to your friends and family and ask them to add their name to the Online Community Support Form.
  https://www.cityofshelby.com/visitors/shelby-greenway-system/carolina-harmony-trail/-fsiteid-1#!/ 

• Copy and share this "I Support the Carolina Harmony Trail" graphic on social media. 
  

Online Community Support Form

Use this form to show your support for the Carolina Harmony Trail.

The Support Tracker below shows how many people have added their name to the Online Community Support Form.

Note: Some information below will refer to the Carolina Harmony Trail by its original name, the Shelby R.A.I.L. Trail.

Click on the icon below to view the published Star Press Release.

Click on the icon below to view submitted Letter's of Support.

Click on the MAPS icon below to view maps of the Carolina Harmony Trail system.

Click on the icon below for a complete guide to the Carolina Harmony Trail vision and plans.

Click on the icon below to view the completed RAISE Grant Application for the Carolina Harmony Trail.

Click on the icon below to view the Carolina Harmony Trail Briefing Sheet.

Click on the icon below to view the original trail Master Plan from February, 2018.

Click on the icon below to view the presentation of the trail Master Plan from May, 2018.