Blue Ridge Conservancy receives grant from Bank of America to support construction of Middle Fork Greenway

Announcement from Blue Ridge Conservancy:

Blue Ridge Conservancy (BRC), a local nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving land and natural resources in northwest North Carolina, has received a grant from Bank of America. 

The grant will help fund the Middle Fork Greenway, BRC’s premier recreation project connecting the towns of Blowing Rock to Boone with a pedestrian and bicycle-friendly trail. The Middle Fork Greenway will ultimately create expanded recreational opportunities while promoting physical activity and improving the health among residents and visitors. It will also support the local economy by connecting users with the many nearby attractions and local businesses.  

“The Middle Fork Greenway project is conserving the Middle Fork of the New River’s corridor with green space and protected wildlife habitat,” says Middle Fork Greenway Director, Wendy Patoprsty. “People will have the opportunity to connect to nature and enjoy the scenic beauty of the High Country. We appreciate Bank of America’s generous award and continued support of the community.”

When complete, the 6.5 mile Greenway will connect the sidewalks of downtown Blowing Rock to the Boone Greenway. It will also link the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, Tanger Shoppes on the Parkway, Tweetsie Railroad, Mystery Hill, three pocket parks and other natural areas, and the Appalachian Regional Healthcare’s hospital.

The $25,000 grant received from Bank of America is allocated toward the construction of a new section of greenway that will connect Tweetsie Railroad north to Goldmine Branch Park. Graphic courtesy of BRC

The Middle Fork Greenway is a Blue Ridge Conservancy project in partnership with Watauga County, the Town of Blowing Rock, the Town of Boone, and many community organizations and volunteers.

 The $25,000 grant is part of Bank of America’s philanthropic giving efforts in local communities. Awardees were selected for their commitment to addressing basic needs and workforce development for individuals and families, in particular during the coronavirus pandemic. 

“Every part of our company is engaged in addressing the demands on critical natural resources,” said Bank of America State President of North Carolina Charles Bowman. “We’re grateful for Blue Ridge Conservancy’s efforts to conserve land, promote physical wellness, and support local businesses in one of the most beautiful areas of our state.” 

SHARE
About Community Bulletin
Mountain Xpress posts selected news and information of local interest as a public service for our readers. To submit press releases and other community material for possible publication, email news@mountainx.com.

Before you comment

The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.

Leave a Reply

To leave a reply you may Login with your Mountain Xpress account, connect socially or enter your name and e-mail. Your e-mail address will not be published. All fields are required.