Rowan County commissioners have considered the Carolina Thread Trail multiple times during the previous several years, but could finally join the greenway project on Monday.

During their regularly scheduled meeting for July, commissioners are scheduled to consider a master plan that would outline a system of trails throughout Rowan County. The plan outlines bike routes and walking paths that would connect parks. Bike paths and trails are focused near Rowan’s municipalities, but extend outward into rural parts of the county.

The Carolina Thread Trail is a 15-county, two-state system of trails and conservation areas for walking, biking and commuting. All of Rowan’s 10 municipalities have adopted the thread trail’s master plan. If Rowan County commissioners adopted a resolution in support of the Carolina Thread Trail, it would not require funding for implementation, according to agenda documents for Monday’s meeting.

Multiple groups of county commissioners have discussed the thread trail, but never adopted the master plan.

One of the first public discussions among commissioners occurred in May 2009, when former commissioner Raymond Coltrain asked the board to consider voting for a resolution in support of the thread trail. It failed by a 3-2 count, according to meeting minutes

Instead of approving the Carolina Thread Trail resolution, commissioners unanimously passed one later in 2009 stating the board wouldn’t endorse, pursue or support the acquisition of private property for the development of greenways or public trails. The measure is cited in a resolution that’s scheduled to be considered on Monday.

When the eminent domain resolution passed, the Board of Commissioners consisted of Carl Ford as chairman, Jon Barber as vice chairman, Coltrain, Tina Hall and Chad Mitchell.

Ford expressed concerns about law enforcement, lighting and trash on the thread trail, according to minutes from 2009 meetings. He said the thread trail was a good concept, but “a little scary overall.”

Addressing commissioners’ concerns at the time, Coltrain said the board would only need to say, “Yes, we think this is a good idea, and we will help you when we can, if we can,” according to meeting minutes.

When asked Thursday about the Carolina Thread Trail, current commissioners Chairman Greg Edds said participating in the project would help improve quality of life in Rowan.

“As we enter into a new economy, we know with certainty that people can choose who they want to work for and where they want to live,” Edds said.

Increasing the quality of life through the creation of trail systems would help attract and retain businesses and employees, he said.

Municipal officials whose towns approved the resolution cited similar reasons for approving the thread trail.

Spencer Mayor Jody Everhart said connectivity of parks and landmarks was a reason the town board favored the plan when it passed. For example, the thread trail would connect the N.C. Transportation Museum to Spencer’s downtown.

The town also wouldn’t need to acquire any additional land as a part of the thread trail, Everhart said.

The town of China Grove also approved a resolution in support of the thread trail. Town Manager Ken Deal said the resolution essentially supports the idea of the trail, and didn’t require funding when it was approved.

The Salisbury Civitan Club, Granite Quarry Civitan Club, Salisbury-Rowan Runners Club and Gold Hill community have also expressed support for the thread trail.

Monday’s commissioners meeting will be at 3 p.m. in the Rowan County administration building on West Innes Street in downtown Salisbury.

Contact reporter Josh Bergeron at 704-797-4246