“Payne Branch Park has been a public access picnic and fishing area for about 15 years and now that the dam is gone, it is a safer and more accessible area,” said Blue Ridge Conservancy’s Wendy Patoprsty.

When complete, Payne Branch Park will become a spur trail for the Middle Fork Greenway.

“So much of conservation work is about building lasting and trusting relationships within the community,” said Blue Ridge Conservancy Executive Director, Charlie Brady. “The landowner initially reached out to Blue Ridge Conservancy through a board trustee to discuss protecting this unique tract in the Linville Gorge. We’re thrilled to be a partner in this project to add the land to Pisgah National Forest.”