The NC Division of Parks and Recreation (NCDPR) recently awarded $3,025,636 in grants for 13 land acquisition projects through the Complete the Trails Program Fund (CTF). These grants will leverage more than $13 million in matching funds to help local nonprofit partners acquire land for state trails projects in nine North Carolina counties. Blue Ridge Conservancy (BRC) was awarded two land acquisition grants, for $125,000 and $144,000 respectively, to expand the corridor for the Northern Peaks State Trail (NPST). These grants will allow BRC to protect an additional 48 acres on The Peak in Creston, which will eventually become part of Elk Knob State Park and the NPST.
Read MoreGovernor Roy Cooper announced $8.5 million in grants to fund 19 local parks and recreation projects across the state through the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF), including a $500,000 grant to Paddy Mountain Park in Ashe County. This grant is for park infrastructure, including the parking lot, restrooms, pavilion, picnic tables, and a trailhead for the Northern Peaks State Trail (NPST). Blue Ridge Conservancy (BRC) is coordinating the construction of the NPST in partnership with state and local government agencies, and applied for the PARTF grant.
Read MoreOn Friday, August 4, Blue Ridge Conservancy (BRC) held a groundbreaking at the site of the new Paddy Mountain Park trail in West Jefferson as part of Year of the Trail NC Trail Days. The park will feature three miles of stacked loop trail as well as parking, restrooms, and picnic facilities. The park will serve as a trailhead for the Northern Peaks State Trail (NPST), which will connect the Jeffersons to Boone. BRC, who facilitated the purchase of the property, is coordinating the construction of the NPST in partnership with state and local government agencies.
Read MoreBlue Ridge Conservancy is honored to be the Ashe Chamber of Commerce's "Nonprofit of the Year" for work at Paddy Mountain and the Northern Peaks State Trail. The award was announced at the Chamber's annual meeting, and accepted by Executive Director Charlie Brady.
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