Forward with Foothills: Land conservancy announces expansions

Foothills Conservancy land trust has been a veritable beehive of activity lately.

The conservancy broke ground Thursday morning on a 5-mile addition to the public mountain bike trail at Catawba Meadows Park in Morganton. 

Meanwhile, the Oak Hill Community Park and Forest is growing like a weed, thanks to infusion of cash.

The mountain bike trail should be completed in August or September. It’s mostly finished, but still needs a couple of creek crossings installed, according to Foothills Executive Director Andrew Kota.

Numerous City of Morganton department heads and elected officials turned out for the ribbon cutting on the trail, which will be the state’s westernmost destination for NICA (National Interscholastic Cycling Association) racing.

“This project was long in the making and we’re so excited,” said Morganton Mayor Ronnie Thompson. “It’s a great day for Morganton and Burke County.”

Michael Lowther, owner of Foothills partner Overmountain Cycles in Morganton, is excited about the new trail.

“The trails down here have been a dream of mine for five or six years, and I know I’m not the only one that’s dreamed of that,” Lowther said. 

In addition to the ribbon cutting, Foothills (FCNC) just announced a new phase of development for Oak Hill Park, funded by $225,000 in grants and state appropriations.

The improvements will include four additional miles of public trails, a modern restroom facility at the trailhead, an expanded community agriculture program, and a sensory garden and orchard, which will allow visitors with mobility issues and other difficulties to enjoy the beauty of nature.

Funds for the development come from several sources. The Beaver Family Foundation, the TSH Charitable Foundation, and Duke Energy Foundation are supplying grant money, and N.C Rep. Hugh Blackwell (R-86) helped secure a $100,000 state appropriation.

“Those funds are crucial for being able to deliver the vision of that park for the community,” said Kota. “All that activity is part of achieving that master plan. Progress has been steady, and that requires funding and the capacity of our staff to plan the next stage of infrastructure and development. It’s going well.” 

All the funding will be used for park infrastructure. 

The restrooms will feature flush toilets and water fountains will be installed as well. Foothills plans to drill three wells on the property, one to support the restroom facility and two for irrigation on the community garden fields.

The garden, on 40 acres of farmland that is part of the park, is being worked by a culturally diverse farming family. Foothills plans to expand the operation in the years to come, and the operation will eventually become an incubator farm that supports sustainable food production.

The sensory garden is planned as a way for people with differing abilities to enjoy the natural setting. It will allow visitors to use all their senses in order to appreciate the environment.

“One of the exciting things is the sensory garden,” Kota said. “That will be an area of the property that will provide accessibility to people of any ability. We will build a trail through there that will enable people with disabilities to have access.”

Kota said the sensory garden will be packed with orchard plants, garden plants, flower gardens, raised beds, and eventually, some art features. Visitors will be able to stop and smell the flowers — literally — and do things like pick blueberries during a leisurely stroll through the garden. The trail and garden will surround the area Foothills uses to host its annual Flavors of the Foothills fundraiser.

NOTE: FCNC's annual summer fundraiser appeal is underway. The conservancy has secured $55,000 of challenge match funds thanks to a few very generous supporters. From now until Aug. 31, every donation to support FCNC's conservation work will be matched dollar-for-dollar, with a goal of raising $110,000.

The summer appeal match is an opportunity to double the giving impact. 

“If you are considering a donation to Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina, please donate now,” said Katherine Ehrlichman, Development Director.

“Your donation will support Oak Hill Community Park and Forest and awards us the privilege of continuing the important work we’re doing in our community to build public trails and maintain Oak Hill Community Park and Forest, offer environmental education and volunteer programs to the community, and so much more.”