The Tryon Parks Committee lacks only $25,000 in matching funds from the community before it can begin work creating the Vaughn Creek greenway.

The parks committee, which has been working on the project since 2005, has obtained $196,000 in grants for the project, but $25,000 in matching funds is required.

Parks committee member John Vining discussed the project during a Tryon Town Council meeting last week.

The project has received a $95,000 grant from the N.C. Division of Water Resources, which can be used strictly for stream and trail improvements.

Another $101,000 grant from the Clean Water Management Trust Fund can be used toward the acquisition of property, which is approximately 19 acres. The sale price for the property is $110,500, but the project, including surveying and closing costs, is estimated at $126,000, Vining says.

An open house was recently held that offered tours of Vaughn Creek where the greenway is planned.

The ultimate goal of the parks committee is to connect three town-owned properties with a pedestrian, bicycle and equestrian trail. The trail would expand from Ziglar Field, to Lanier Park to Woodland Park. The trail would include easy access to the railroad, and there is an existing trail bed. The total system would be about two miles of greenway.

The 19-acre property the parks committee hopes to acquire has been owned by the same family for the past 40 years, which has been left undisturbed and natural. The Smith family has been cooperating with the town and has expressed its desire for the land to be made into a greenway, according to Vining.

Anyone who would like to help generate support for the project or who can help financially is asked to contact one of the Tryon Parks Committee members: Mark Byinton, Hugh Hursey, Ted Hyder, Rita Landrum, Virginia Lisella, Roy Miller, Gretchen Morris, Callie Smith, Viola Suber, John Vining and Wim Woody.

Town staff members can&bsp; also be contacted at (828) 859-6655.