Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina (FCNC) has announced the completion and opening of an accessible walking trail through the meadow of Oak Hill Community Park & Forest, marking the latest milestone in the park’s Sensory Trail Experience Program (STEP).
The 4-foot wide, gently graded, packed gravel pathway, the newest trail on the property, invites visitors of all abilities to enjoy the space now, while laying the groundwork for sensory stations and an orchard that are expected to begin installation in spring 2026.
“It’s an incredibly serene space, especially in the evening around sunset,” said Ryan Sparks, Stewardship Director. “The sensory walking trail allows people to experience the natural beauty of Oak Hill Park in a new way, beyond hiking or biking on the wooded trails FCNC has established in the park.”
Between now and the sensory station installations, FCNC’s stewardship team is working with EcoForesters of Asheville to focus on invasive species removal.
The effort is part of the 8.5-acre restoration of fallow field surrounding and within the walking trail to convert it to a native Piedmont prairie meadow, one of the rarest habitats in North Carolina.
Current conditions include aggressive weeds such as vetch, pokeweed, and nutsedge, which crowd out native species.
To give native grasses and wildflowers an opportunity to thrive, FCNC will apply carefully controlled, aquatic-safe herbicide treatments in low concentrations to reduce invasive plants.
Initial treatment occurred Oct. 2, with follow-up applications scheduled for March and May. The first native prairie seeding is planned for early summer in partnership with Wildbud Natives, a firm specializing in meadow, wetlands, and grassland restoration.
FCNC will develop interpretive and wayfinding signage for phased installation around the trail and alongside the sensory stations, which may include nature-play elements, a bird blind, plant-scent waypoints and wind art.
The sensory stations, combined with the walking trail through the Piedmont prairie and orchard, will create an inclusive, interactive space that promotes creativity, mental health and well-being, and environmental education.
“Since unveiling the vision earlier this year, our team and partners have been steadily turning plans into progress,” said Andrew Kota, Executive Director.
“This new trail gives people of all abilities a calm, beautiful way to experience the meadow today — and it sets the stage for hands-on learning and healing when the sensory stations come alive in 2026,” Kota continued.
Funding for the sensory trail was provided by a gift from Ann and George Costello, and grants from TSH Charitable Foundation and the J. Alex and Vivian G. Mull Foundation Charitable Fund.
The coming sensory stations, garden and meadow restoration are supported by grants from the Rostan Family Foundation, Cannon Foundation, the Community Foundation of Burke County, and TSH Charitable Foundation.
FCNC also acknowledges the contributions of Equinox Environmental, Wildbud Natives, and EcoForesters for design, restoration, and stewardship support.
“Oak Hill Park has become a valuable resource for Burke County residents, offering growing opportunities for environmental education, agriculture and recreation, as well as bolstering the local economy through eco-tourism; we’re grateful to receive funding support from these partners,” said Kota.
About Oak Hill Community Park & Forest
Oak Hill Community Park & Forest is a 652-acre open space community park with 11 miles of multi-use trails, a commercially licensed farm, and a planned-sensory trail experience 10 minutes outside of downtown Morganton.
The park is owned and operated by FCNC and is open to the public from sunrise to sunset.
About Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina
Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina (FCNC) 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©(3) nonprofit, FCNC has permanently protected over 71,500 acres across eight counties: Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Cleveland, Lincoln, McDowell, and Rutherford, and in three major river basins: the Broad, Catawba, and Yadkin.
FCNC supports and responds to community needs across our programmatic focus areas: land and water protection, farmland preservation, wildlife habitat improvement, forest health and stewardship, public park management, public trail development and maintenance, improving access to natural spaces, community education, and volunteer engagement.
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.