![](https://rivertrail.betterburke.com/_files/2024/06/Wildcat-Way-Section.jpg)
Thanks to Burke County Public Schools, Town of Valdese, Rep Hugh Blackwell and volunteers, a new section of Burke River Trail will open on August 2. Officials will cut the ribbon at 10:00 am for the 0.6 mile natural surface trail, located north of Draughn High School, will be called Wildcat Way.
Wildcat Way was one of the first targeted sections of Burke River Trail during initial discussion back in 2020 when work started in earnest on Rep Blackwell’s vision for a trail along the river. As Beth Heile was exploring potential routes for the trail, she reached out to the developer on the east side of DHS and upon sharing the vision, the developer saw the benefit of having the trail in his development. When completed, McGalliard Falls to the eastern side of the development will be about a 4 mile section. At that time, the “Valdese Greenway” was still grass and there was no McGalliard Creek Bridge.