Grand Opening: Oak Hill Community Park and Forest to the public on October 14th, 2023
MORGANTON, N.C. — On Saturday, October 14, 2023, Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina (FCNC) will officially open the Oak Hill Community Park and Forest to the public, a 652-acre property that the land trust acquired with community support in 2020. The park is a few minutes outside of downtown Morganton, located at 820-NC 126, Morganton, NC, 28655.
“Guided by a park master plan that included public input, FCNC has spent the last three years developing initial park infrastructure on the Oak Hill Community Park and Forest property, with the ultimate goal of making it a destination for outdoor recreation, environmental education, forestry demonstration, community events and community agriculture,” said Andrew Kota, Executive Director of FCNC. “It’s incredibly important for people to have easy access to natural areas, and it’s part of our land trust’s mission to make that happen in our service area,” Kota added.
Since acquiring the property in 2020, FCNC has constructed 5 miles of multi-use trails and 2.5 miles of hiking only trails. An additional 18 miles of trail are in the process of being laid out, with plans to build the next 5 to 6 miles in the coming year. A 75-car parking lot has been constructed at the trailhead, roughly 1,000 feet from the park entrance, along NC 126.
“We are excited to finally share this park with our community! We’ve been preparing for this day for several years and it’s remarkable that FCNC has done so in such a short period of time. We wouldn’t have been able to open Oak Hill Park without the support of our community, excellent project management by conservancy staff and the hard work of many contractors,” Kota reflected .
Oak Hill Community Park and Forest permanently protects a segment of Canoe Creek and multiple tributary streams, forested uplands, significant agricultural land and scenic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and South Mountains. Areas of the property that were timbered prior to FCNC ownership have been stewarded through forest restoration projects and over 3,700 trees have been planted in the park so far.
Please join us for the Grand Opening of Oak Hill Community Park and Forest. Facebook Event can be found HERE.
Saturday October 14th, 2023 - Park Grand Opening Schedule:
10:00 AM – Ribbon Cutting and Remarks
The public is invited to join members of FCNC alongside donors and community members. Take a commemorative piece of ribbon home with you!
10:15 AM - Guided Stewardship Hike
Enjoy a mild 2.5-mile hike on Oak Hills hike-only section of trail while FCNC staff point out sustainable trail practices and forest stewardship projects along the way! This hike will be led by Foothills Conservancy’s Trails Program Director, Shane Prisby, and Stewardship Director, Ryan Sparks.
10:15 AM - 12:00 PM - Nature Crafts
Stop by the nature craft station to learn more about common plants and wildlife you may see in the park. All ages are welcome to make an art piece you can take home or leave your mark in the park! This event is part of Our Big Backyard, FCNC’s environmental education program.
10:30 AM - Guided Mountain Bike Ride
Be one of the first to ride a brand new 5-mile mountain bike trail! This is a beginner-friendly, no drop ride. We will stop periodically at points of interest along the trail. Led by Foothills Conservancy’s Executive Director, Andrew Kota, and Marketing Manager, Katherine Ehrlichman.
6:00 PM - Sunset Stroll
Join FCNC staff for an easy walk along a mostly flat gravel road that winds past the park’s agricultural lands, including a young grove of chestnut trees.
We are asking our community to keep in mind that these scheduled events are optional and in celebration of our Grand Opening. As of October 14 2023, the park will officially be open to the public and visitors of the park are invited to hike, bike and explore the park at their leisure.
Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina is a nationally accredited regional land trust that inspires conservation in Western North Carolina by permanently protecting land and water for the benefit of people and all living things. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Foothills Conservancy has conserved more than 68,000 acres in its eight county service area: Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Cleveland, Lincoln, McDowell and Rutherford, in three major river basins: the Broad, Catawba and Yadkin. Information about Foothills Conservancy, including ways to support its work, can be found online at www.foothillsconservancy.org or by calling 828-437-9930.
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