The Settings of Black Mountain Announces World-Class Trail System
A Healthier Lifestyle in a Healthier Forest
The Settings of Black Mountain Announces World-Class Trail System
Residents of The Settings of Black Mountain will soon be able to put their best foot forward, on world-class nature trails designed by international trail architect—and President of the Professional Trail Builders Association—Woody Keen.
“Woody’s designed trails all over the world,” said Marc H. Wilson, executive vice president of The Settings Development Companies. “We heard about his company, Trail Dynamics, and we sought him out, because we knew that he was the best in the country.”
“Trails provide for outdoor exercise opportunities, which can lead to healthier lifestyles. Trails can also help provide for a healthier forest by involving the public directly in monitoring forest health and helping to make management decisions involved in public lands,” said Keen.
Wilson points out that Woody Keen is a person who has the luxury of choosing who he wants to work with. A company must be on Keen’s environmental wavelength before he agrees to partner with it.
“Woody was impressed with the care we take with saving natural amenities and our philosophy of working with the land. Our values are very much in synch with his,” said Wilson, mentioning Trail Dynamics’ theme-line, “Sustainable Trails by Design,” reflects The Settings’ approach in creating communities.
Wilson points to a recent article in the New York Times that discussed how The Settings has been known to change its master plans to save particular natural features in the land. “At The Settings of Black Mountain, we came across a huge boulder system. We had a choice whether to follow the engineer’s plan and bulldoze through it or to save it. Of course, we decided to go around it, and now we have a natural park,” he said.
“At heart, we’re environmentalists at The Settings,” said Chip Knight, vice president of development. Knight is especially pleased that Keen’s trails will help The Settings of Black Mountain maintain a close connection with the natural world.
The trails will range from very detailed to very primitive—from the most moderate to the most challenging, added Wilson, pointing out that Keen will involved in the trail systems for all communities of The Settings. “When these projects are complete, we will have some of the most picturesque trails from the low country to the mountains. “According to LiveSouth.com and our own experience, trails are the number one amenity our customers are looking for when they select a community for their primary, vacation or retirement home.”
