Jefferson's Foster-Tyson Park Awarded $235,175 from the North Carolina Parks and Recreation Trust Fund

Jefferson, NC - Blue Ridge Conservancy (BRC) and the Town of Jefferson are proud to announce that Foster-Tyson Park has been awarded $235,175 from the North Carolina Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF). As part of the Northern Peaks State Trail (NPST), Foster-Tyson Park (located on E Main Street, just east of downtown Jefferson) was identified as an ideal site for the Jefferson NPST Trailhead. The park is also a gem for the Jefferson community. It is centrally located and well suited for people of all ages to get outside, exercise, and enjoy the paved path encircling the park.

"Foster-Tyson Park has always been such a wonderful asset to the Town, and now it's about to become even better," said Mayor Peter Eller. "This grant means a restroom facility, updated park shelter, and real improvements for the families and community members who use this park every day, and it puts Jefferson right on the map as a gateway to the Northern Peaks State Trail. I'm grateful to PARTF, to Blue Ridge Conservancy, to our Town Manager, Charity Curtis, and to everyone who has worked so hard to bring this project home."

Artist rendering of Foster-Tyson Park. Please note this is only a rendering and not a final design. 

Through years of planning and public engagement, the community identified its greatest needs at the park as ADA-compliant restrooms (there are currently no restrooms on site) and improved covered areas for picnicking, recreation, and gathering. The project will include a double restroom with an adjoining picnic pavilion, a recreational pavilion, small-scale play equipment, picnic tables, signage, and parking improvements. The Town of Jefferson will provide matching funds for the project.

"This is such an exciting milestone for the Town of Jefferson. This project reflects what our residents told us they wanted: a safe, accessible gathering place within Foster-Tyson Park," said Charity Curtis, Town Manager. "Being selected as the Jefferson trailhead for the Northern Peaks State Trail is such a tremendous opportunity for our community. We couldn't be more grateful and proud of the partnership with the Blue Ridge Conservancy team and the dedicated help of the Northern Peaks State Trail Director, Jordan Sellers, throughout this process. Our thanks as well to PARTF for investing in a project that will yield large dividends for our community for decades to come."

"One of the best parts of working on the NPST is getting to help our partners along the corridor leverage the trail and BRC's support to create something their community really needs," said Jordan Sellers, Northern Peaks State Trail Director. "Restrooms and improved access at Foster-Tyson Park are a crucial upgrade to a park that is well-loved by so many in Jefferson. We are grateful for our partnership with the Town of Jefferson and for the support from PARTF and our elected officials, both locally and at the state level. We look forward to helping bring this project to fruition."

The award was included in Governor Josh Stein's announcement of nearly $10 million in Parks and Recreation Trust Fund grants statewide. The full announcement is available at: https://governor.nc.gov/news/press-releases/2026/09/03/governor-announces-nearly-10-million-parks-and-recreation-grants-awards

Blue Ridge Conservancy is the nonprofit partner of the Northern Peaks State Trail, a trail project aiming to connect Boone to the Jeffersons via the Amphibolite Mountains of Ashe and Watauga Counties.