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2: NPT BOONE FOCUS AREAS
BOONE FOCUS AREA
Focus Area #1 of the NPT Master Plan features a connection from downtown Boone to Howard Knob Park. Also, a trail connection is planned between the park and the Boone United Trail, which is located on land controlled by the Blue Ridge Conservancy.
CHAPTER 2 // SITE ANALYSIS ANDDESIGN DETERMINANTS
Natural Environment
Elevations within the park’s 5.7 acres range from approximately 4,300 ft. to 4,420 ft. The most significant steep slopes, which include multiple rock outcroppings, are located along the property’s southern extent. Moderately sloped areas are located along the park’s northern areas, while flatter areas exist at the property’s peak and along the existing paved drive. The park property consists of three main soil complexes: Burton-CraggeyRock outcrop (BuD); Unaka-Porters (UkE); and Unaka-Rock outcrop (UnF). BuD complex is located in the southern and western portions of the property, while UkE complex stretches from the eastern to western border across the middle of the property, and UnF complex is located in the northern and southern sections of the property. Of significant note, Howard Knob is located within a major amphibolite macro-site. Amphibolite rock creates nutrient rich soil upon decomposition, which combined with the elevation and climate conditions, leads to the presence of unique flora and fauna. The property’s vegetation largely reflects a Northern Hardwood Forest, featuring a significant number of large oak and hickory trees throughout the core and periphery of the property. An open green is located near the eastern edge of the property boundary. The park contains two significant natural communities including the Mesodon andrewsae
TOPOGRAPHY (Balsam Globe snail) and the Turritis glabra (Tower Mustard plant). The Balsam Globe has been previously identified along the northeast border of the property, near the park’s open green. The Tower Mustard plant has been previously identified throughout the eastern half of the property. As part of the planning process, scientists from Appalachian State University performed a special vegetation survey on July 16, 2018; a single Arabis glabra was the only documented species of concern at the site. The park property is located within the New River watershed. ASU Lake, a reservoir that supplies water to the nearby Appalachian State University campus, is located near the northern base of Howard Knob. Two unnamed tributaries are located at the southern base of the Knob, which feed into Boone Creek and the South Fork of the New River. There are no streams or identified wetlands within the property boundaries.
HYDROLOGY & WETLANDS
CHAPTER 2 // SITE ANALYSIS ANDDESIGN DETERMINANTS
Built Environment
EXISTING STRUCTURES Howard Knob Park contains a limited number of structures and facilities. This section describes the existing built environment, facilities, and public access areas.
ENTRANCE & The park’s entrance and PAVED DRIVE gateway is located in the northwest corner of the property. A metal entrance gate is located outside of the property’s boundary, near the property’s northwest corner. The park’s existing sign is located along the entrance way within park boundaries. A one-way asphalt drive loops through the northeastern portion of the park. The drive features three separate parking areas. SHELTER The picnic shelter is located in the eastern portion of the park along the paved drive and includes an outdoor grill and picnic tables. Restroom facilities that are not currently in service are enclosed within the covered shelter.
PICNIC AREAS
Picnic pads and tables are located in the northern, central, and southeastern portions of the park. The majority of all pads are in disrepair, while some aluminum components of the picnic tables may be salvageable.
Built Environment
Two overlook areas are located near the southern property boundary. The overlook located to the southwest is accessible via a paved path and features a concrete platform and metal railing. The overlook located to the southeast is accessed via a natural surface path and requires some navigation of steep slopes. An existing concrete path is located on the southwestern edge of the open green. Various natural surface paths surround the southeastern overlook area. An abandoned roadbed is located in the wooded area west of the open green..
OVERLOOK A utility tower is AREAS located adjacent to the picnic shelter with anchored guy-wires to the north and west. Overhead electric wires extend from the tower and shelter outward through the western park boundary, obscuring the western viewshed.
PATHS & TRAILS UTILITY TOWER
CHAPTER 2 // SITE ANALYSIS ANDDESIGN DETERMINANTS
Built Environment
PUBLIC ACCESS AND PARKING
ACCESS Howard Knob Park is accessed via Howards Knob Road. The road network leading to the park is steep and narrow in multiple locations, creating difficulty and safety concerns for pedestrians and cyclists. Formal parking areas are located within the park along the paved drive in three separate locations. These parking areas currently lack definition and landscaping. The park contains approximately 20 parking spaces, none of which are currently ADA-compliant. Approximately 11 spaces exist within the western edge parking area, 2 spaces exist near the picnic shelter, and 7 within the parking area near the paved drive’s eastern bend.
PARKING
