Burnsville, North Carolina, a lone incorporated town in Yancey County, is nestled at the foothills of the Black Mountain Range in Yancey County. It has 17 named peaks over 6,000 feet in elevation, including the highest mountain in the Eastern United States, Mount Mitchell, at 6,684 feet in elevation. Because of its proximity to the Black Mountain Range and Appalachian Trail, Burnsville has the potential to connect to these outdoor resources and host visitors as a trail town. Providing a trailhead, gateways into the town, and a walkable main street were forefront in this design process.

In conjunction with the North Carolina High Peaks Trail Association, the Community Design Assistance Center (CDAC) developed the Western Loop Trail which traverses Burnsville’s Main Street and connects historic downtown Burnsville at the town square to the Mountain Heritage High School’s Nature Trail.

This design work includes a gateway design for the entrance to the Mountain Heritage High School, a mini-park for Cherry Lane, a streetscape design for West Main Street, and a trailhead concept at the Burnsville town square.