The Town of Boone was recently awarded $54,932 from the Recreational Trails Program (RTP), through the North Carolina Department of Parks and Recreation to fund the southern terminus of the Northern Peaks State Trail (NPST) in downtown Boone. In addition to the RTP award, the Town of Boone and the Downtown Boone Development Association are providing matching funds of $7,689 each, with Blue Ridge Conservancy providing professional trail design. The trail will be constructed at the Rivers House Park at 130 Clay House Drive in downtown Boone, on 13 acres donated to the town by Rachel Rivers-Coffey.

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In 2014, Martha Enzmann purchased land in Todd, NC for the eventual purpose of creating a public space and river access for recreation. With the help of Blue Ridge Conservancy, the North Carolina Land and Water Fund, and the Wildlife Resources Commission, that dream has been realized with the dedication of Percies Park and river access. BRC recently acquired the 18-acre tract from Enzmann, which includes parking, a trail that is currently being developed, and the popular river access by Railroad Grade Road and Big Hill Road.

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Blue Ridge Conservancy was recently awarded $453,800 from the North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation’s Complete the Trails program for the Northern Peaks State Trail in Ashe County. The grant awards help to fund the purchase of over 68 acres on Mount Jefferson that will be added to Mount Jefferson State Natural Area.

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Protecting the natural and cultural heritage of Valle Crucis and the Watauga River valley is a top priority for Blue Ridge Conservancy, which recently partnered with the Holy Cross Churchand Episcopal Diocese of Western NC to add 6.6 acres to the state-designated “Valle Crucis Historic District.”

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