Momentum is building at Farris Memorial Park as the Town of Mayodan announces it has secured a $25,000 grant from the North Carolina Youth Outdoor Engagement Commission’s Youth Sports Grant.
Funding from the grant will cover trail repairs and upgrades to ensure the racecourse is ready, the production of a trail video to showcase Farris Memorial Park’s potential to participants and visitors, downtown street banners to welcome race attendees, and essential race-day support items.
The race is expected to draw more than 2,000 young athletes, parents, and spectators to Mayodan for a weekend celebrating teamwork, endurance, and a love for cycling.
“This event is a big deal for Mayodan and Rockingham County,” said Lindsay Pegg, Rockingham County Tourism Manager. “Farris Memorial Park and its growing trail system are great examples of what Rockingham County has to offer in nature recreation, and it’s exciting to see it getting more recognition for its amazing trail potential.”
Filming on the trail began in December 2024. The video will be produced by Chase Nappier of CTT Productions, renowned for his acclaimed documentary An Unusual Reason.
The NC NICA competition will feature youth athletes ages 11–18 from middle and high schools across North Carolina, grouped by age and skill level to ensure an inclusive, supportive environment.
“The NC Youth Outdoor Engagement Commission is thrilled to support programs like the NC NICA mountain biking event at Farris Memorial Park,” said Megan Law, Communications Manager, NC Youth Outdoor Engagement Commission. “This grant program reflects our commitment to providing young people with opportunities to explore the outdoors, build skills, and develop a lifelong appreciation for nature.”
The upcoming NC NICA competition represents the next chapter in this ongoing story, further showcasing the park’s potential to host high-profile events and deliver lasting economic and recreational benefits to the region.
A Trail Nearly a Decade in the Making
Farris Memorial Park’s trail system was not created overnight. More than eight years ago, Michael Brandt—then Town Manager of Mayodan—rallied volunteers, local businesses, and regional nonprofits around a vision to create a high-quality mountain biking experience in Rockingham County.
“In the beginning, there wasn’t much more in the woods than a few worn deer trails and a couple of makeshift deer stands out here,” remembers Edwards, who was a program manager with the Dan River Basin Association at the time.
Edwards laughs, remembering “trying to keep up with Tony McGee and Michael Brandt trekking through the woods [at the park]. Tony clearly could see the vision from the start, but all I could see were trees, deadfall, and underbrush.”
McGee is a landscape architect with RoundRock Design.
REI was the first to support the trail project with a $10,000 grant and also brought volunteer support to shape the first trail sections. “That first grant helped us get started, and I’ll always appreciate REI for it. I mean, just look at what we built from the early lift they gave us,” Edwards says.
Over time, additional support from the N.C. Division of Parks Recreational Trails Program (RTP), Duke Energy Foundation, Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust, Charlie’s Soap, Dan River Basin Association, and the Reidsville Area Foundation helped the trail system grow. This funding has been pivotal in making Farris Memorial Park a destination for events like the upcoming NC NICA race.
In 2016 Duke Energy brought more than 200 volunteers on buses over two days to assist with trail-building efforts—a contribution that played a key role in meeting RTP grant volunteer requirements and transforming the trail system.
“Duke Energy is proud to have played a key role in the growth of the trail system at Farris Memorial Park,” said Hank Henning, Duke Energy, District Manager. “We’ve seen how these trails can create lasting value—boosting local tourism, encouraging outdoor recreation, and strengthening the community. Supporting projects like this aligns with our commitment to building stronger, healthier communities across North Carolina.”
A bike barn, made possible by Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust, is equipped with loaner bikes to welcome beginners and invite new riders to explore the trail.
Expanding a Bold Vision
Farris Memorial Park is now poised to take the next step—becoming a regional hub for youth mountain biking and outdoor recreation.
“Michael Brandt’s ability to bring people together and leverage grant funding turned an ambitious idea into a reality,” said Melody Shuler, Town Manager of Mayodan. “Now, my focus is on building on that foundation by working with new and existing partners to expand the trail system and further establish Farris Memorial Park as a premier destination for outdoor recreation.”
Shuler is collaborating with Resilient Trails Network, RoCo Tourism, and the Dan River Basin Association on a proposal currently under consideration by the N.C. Great Trails Grant program. If funded, the Farris Memorial Park trail system will extend to a total of eight miles.
“The Great Trails State program is about building real assets that make a difference for North Carolina communities,” said Trey Fouché, Consultant, Recreation Resources Service, NC State University. “By turning vision into action, this program ensures that trails aren’t just ideas on paper—they’re lasting resources that bring economic, health, and social benefits to people across our state. North Carolina is the Great Trails State and this grant program helps to build on that legacy.”
The proposed expansion will establish Farris Memorial Park as home to Rockingham County’s longest trail system.
“With eight miles of expertly designed trails,” Shuler says, “Farris Memorial Park will offer something for everyone—from beginners taking their first ride to experienced riders looking for variety and challenge. It’s also a space where families and friends can hike, connect, and enjoy the outdoors together.”
Encouraging Growth in Youth Cycling
The April NC NICA event at Farris Memorial Park embodies the league’s mission to make mountain biking more than just a sport—it’s a transformative experience for young people.
“Mountain biking with NC NICA provides young people with a unique opportunity to grow as individuals and as team members,” said Brian Russell, League Director for NC NICA. “This sport teaches discipline, perseverance, and teamwork in a way that few other activities can.”
Events like the NC NICA competition inspire the next generation of riders to embrace adventure, strive for personal growth, and experience the camaraderie that defines the sport.
Trail Upgrades for NC NICA
To prepare for the NC NICA event and ensure the trails are in optimal condition, Mayodan is investing a portion of the $25,000 grant from the N.C. Youth Outdoor Engagement Commission in trail repairs and upgrades.
These trail upgrades, led by RoundRock Design and supported by Resilient Trails Network, will provide a safe and challenging experience for youth athletes while leaving a lasting legacy for the community.
McGee, a landscape architect with RoundRock and the original designer of the Farris Memorial Park trail system, will oversee the upgrades.
“Trails are shared spaces that bring people together,” McGee said. “A thoughtfully designed trail system fosters connection, encourages outdoor recreation, and instills a sense of pride in the community. The improvements we’re making will not only elevate the race experience but also leave a lasting resource for residents and visitors.”
The April 2025 NC NICA mountain biking competition at Farris Memorial Park exemplifies how strategic investment in youth recreation can strengthen communities and celebrate the state’s outdoor heritage.
The trails at Farris Memorial Park are built on a simple yet powerful mission: to connect people to nature and to one another. Coy Sowder, an apprentice trail builder with RoundRock, captured this sentiment: “What I like most about working on trails is the peace of the woods and when I get to see people enjoying these trails.”
To learn more about the NC NICA event, volunteer opportunities, or vendor registration, please visit www.northcarolinamtb.org or contact Brian Russell at director@northcarolinamtb.org.
To learn more about the NC Youth Outdoor Engagement Commission (NCYOEC), contact Megan Law, Outreach & Engagement Manager, megan.law@nc.gov. NCYOEC’s mission is to connect young North Carolinians with opportunities to engage with the outdoors. The North Carolina General Assembly appropriates funding to NCYOEC (a state agency) to directly support NCYOEC’s mission, programming efforts, outreach, and grants. The Youth Sports Grant, provides schools and non-professional sports teams and associations with the opportunity to receive funding toward travel or host grants.
To learn more about Resilient Trails Network’s work to support trails for rural and underserved communities, contact Jenny Edwards at jenny@theresilienttrailsnetwork.org or (336) 496-8181.
