PARKS

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 58 the hospital and acute care facility and downtown Blowing Rock in addition to several pocket parks and trailheads.

Creating safe access, improving health and supporting local economy are essential objectives in each step of creating the trail, but while the trail has many intentions, preserving access to public land is the main priority of the Blue Ridge Conservancy.

Stories from the River, made possible through a grant from the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area, is part of the Middle Fork Greenway’s historical preservation and aims to enrich the experience of greenway users while protecting and celebrating the natural and cultural heritage of the Middle Fork River. The outcome of the project is currently displayed on the project’s website and social media account and kiosks at the three pocket parks along the Greenway will detail known-history of each area.

With picnic tables and benches along the creek, Sterling Creek Park offers a great place to enjoy the wildlife and greenery of the mountains. Wildflowers are shaded by a wide variety of tree species, the oldest of which believed to be the Northern Red Oak. Four parking spaces are available in the gravel parking lot outside the park that is about one miles away from tourist attractions like Mystery Hill and Tweetsie Railroad.

As the Greenway project progresses, the green space will connect to the Blowing Rock and U.S. 321 Trailheads.

Traveling north from the U.S. 321 trailhead, the Greenway will eventually connect to Goldmine Branch Park. The land that makes up Goldmine Branch Park off Nayeli Cook Road was donated by the Cook family. A pair of conjoined red maples rooted in the bank weather high water, wind, draught and the clearcutting of nearby forests in the first two decades of the 20th Century. The stream and surrounding land is now protected by the Blue Ridge Conservancy and can be appreciated by those traveling the Greenway.

Eventually, travelers will be able to take the Greenway north to get from Goldmine Branch Park to get to Payne Branch Park.

Payne Branch Park was dedicated in 2005 as the first park along the route of the Middle Fork Greenway. At a celebration on Oct. 2, more than 50 community members gathered at the green space to celebrate “a new chapter of the river’s life.” In 2020, the state of

North Carolina funded the removal of a decommissioned dam which opened up the flood plane and promoted restoration. The park with a picnic area, river access, boulders and places to fish is now ample with wildlife.

Nature enthusiast can also look forward to Boone Gorge Park — which is projected to open in 2024. With bridges, a parking area, restrooms, river access points and observation decks, the park is sure to have impressive views of the beautiful Middle Fork River.

With anticipated progression of the trail and green spaces like Boone Gorge Park, the Blue Ridge Conservancy is raising funds to fill the gaps grants do not cover. For more information on how to support the Middle Fork Greenway Project, visit www.middleforkgreenway.org.