BOONE GORGE PARK

BRC purchased 33 acres of land just outside Boone, providing a critical link for the Middle Fork Greenway, which will connect Boone to Blowing Rock. The property features 2,000 feet of frontage along the Middle Fork New River and will be known as Boone Gorge Park.

In addition to the public access and recreational opportunities provided by the property, protecting this portion of the river is hugely important because it is located just upstream of Boone’s primary source of drinking water. The property was purchased from the family of Artie Hollars, and BRC is grateful for their help in conserving this exceptional tract of land. Funding for the project came from the Watauga County Tourism Development Authority and the NC State Capital Infrastructure Fund.

“The site of the future Boone Gorge Park along with the adjoining land connecting it to Payne Branch Park, is spectacular. When completed, the Boone Gorge Park and trail to Payne Branch Park will be a gem to be enjoyed and treasured by current and future generations of County residents and visitors. I’m pleased to have been involved in a small way with the project.”

- Joe Furman, Former Watauga County Planning & Inspections Director

Middle Fork Greenway Director Wendy Patoprsty is excited about what the purchase means for the continuation of the trail: “This is an essential link for the future connection of the Middle Fork Greenway, and we are partnering with Appalachian State University to extend the trail onto their land. We are fundraising for the construction costs and working on design, engineering, and permitting, and expect to have the park completed in two to three years.”

“The Boone Gorge Park acquisition is a major investment in public access and recreational opportunities in Watauga County. The purchase is another example of BRC’s commitment to protect land that can be enjoyed by everyone. We are extremely grateful for the support provided by Senator Deanna Ballard, Representative Ray Pickett, and the Watauga County TDA. Without their commitment this conservation success and many others in the region would not have happened.”

- Charlie Brady, BRC Executive Director

Prehistoric Visitors to the Blue Ridge

To assure that no native or prehistoric sites would be disrupted by the development of the park, it was recommended by the State Historic Preservation Office that an archaeological survey of the area be completed.

BRC partnered with Dr. Alice Wright from Appalachian State University, and over several weeks in the summer of 2022, she and her team of 14 students completed systematic shovel test surveys and small-scale test excavations in the proposed Boone Gorge Park bottomland. The results were consistent with other findings in the area, and suggest that nomadic indigenous people have been visiting the High Country since the prehistiric era. BRC plans to use the findings for educational programming and signage in the park.

Pond Mountain Game Land, Ashe Co, 217 acres

BRC transferred 217 acres to Pond Mountain Game Land in Ashe County to be managed by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission (WRC). The property will create a new public access to the Game Land bringing the total access points to four. Located on the southern slopes of Pond Mountain with elevations reaching 4,200 feet, this property protects the headwaters of Big Laurel Creek, classified as “Outstanding Resource Waters” and “Trout Waters” by the NC Division of Water Resources. It is located in the Pond Mountain Natural Heritage Area, protecting significant natural communities and wildlife habitat.

BRC purchased the property from two different landowners in 2012 and 2013 and managed the land over the past decade to maintain its environmental integrity.

This brings the total size of the Game Land to 3,900 acres designated for recreational opportunities such as horseback riding, hunting, fishing, and cross country skiing. “BRC is proud