Grandfather Mountain is North Carolina’s Newest State Park

June 8, 2009

Contact:
Vanessa Vaughan, The Conservation Fund, 703.908.5809

RALEIGH, NC – The creation of North Carolina's newest state park on Grandfather Mountain was finalized today as the state closed on the purchase of 2,456 acres along the crest of the famous landmark, according to the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation.

The formal authorization of Grandfather Mountain State Park was unanimously approved by the N.C. General Assembly in March and signed into law March 31 by Governor Beverly Perdue.

An agreement for the state to purchase the undeveloped backcountry portion of Grandfather Mountain from the Morton family for $12 million was announced in September. The family-owned Grandfather Mountain Inc. will continue to operate the famous attraction alongside the new state park. The acquisition was arranged with the help of The Conservation Fund and The Nature Conservancy and financed through the state's Parks and Recreation and Natural Heritage trust funds.

"These steps have laid the groundwork for development of a signature state park on this famous mountain," said Lewis Ledford, director of state parks. "Many people and organizations, including the Morton family, were involved with this conservation success because they realized the importance of protecting this precious part of North Carolina’s landscape."

The acquisition also includes a conservation easement on 749 acres to be retained by the heirs of company founder Hugh Morton and which includes the attraction’s nature center, wildlife habitats and "mile-high" swinging bridge. The attraction will continue to operate on a paid admission basis, and the Morton family intends to pursue the conversion of Grandfather Mountain Inc. to a nonprofit entity.

The new state park is laced by a 12-mile network of hiking trails to be temporarily managed jointly by state park rangers and employees of the Grandfather Mountain attraction. Permits will continue to be required for hiking on the property.

The property lies in Watauga, Avery and Caldwell counties, and contains the headwaters of both the Watauga and Linville rivers as well as 16 distinct ecological communities and 73 rare species. Hugh Morton developed the popular Grandfather Mountain attraction in the 1950s.

About The Conservation Fund

The Conservation Fund is dedicated to advancing America’s land and water legacy. With our partners, we conserve land, train leaders and invest in conservation at home. Since 1985, we have helped protect more than 6 million acres, sustaining wild havens, working lands and vibrant communities. We're a top-ranked conservation organization, effective and efficient.