MIDDLE FORK GREENWAY
The American Planning Association NC Chapter awarded the Middle Fork Greenway’s Blowing Rock Trailhead and Pocket Park the “Great Healthy Place” award for 2021.
2021 Middle Fork Greenway Highlights Payne Branch Park Open and Flourishing Thanks to Middle Fork Greenway Task Force 15 years ago, members of the Middle Fork Greenway task force obtained grants to secure land for three parks along the Middle Fork of the New River: Payne Branch Park, Goldmine Branch Park, and Sterling Creek Park. After removal of the Tate’s dam and extensive stream bank restoration at Payne Branch, all three parks are now open to the public. Parkway Foundation and BRC Install Camp Catawba Sign The Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation and BRC unveiled a sign commemorating Camp Catawba and the work of Dr. Vera Lachmann. Installed near the trailhead of the Middle Fork Greenway, the sign outlines the history of the boys’ summer camp, which operated on a farm in Blowing Rock from 1944 to 1970. Over $150,000 Raised By “Round Up for the Greenway” The third-annual “Round Up For the Greenway” succeeded in raising over $150,000 for the MFG in July. During the monthlong event, local businesses asked patrons to ‘round up’ their purchases as a donation to the project, and many individuals also contributed. 16
321 Trailhead Now Open to the Public The 321 trailhead is now open, and includes 27 parking spaces, benches, a picnic area, bike racks, two bridges, river access, and a large rain garden to capture stormwater runoff. This section was made possible by the community’s “Round Up For the Greenway” program. Through local businesses and the community, funding was raised to match state grants and foundations to get the trail on the ground. This section will connect to the Tweetsie Railroad section.
