North Carolina’s New State Park

February 3, 2007 on 7:28 am | In Cabinweb, Outdoors, The South | No Comments

Get Your Outdoor Gear Here - Click MeNorth Carolina Governor Mike Easley announced that the state of North Carolina agreed to purchase the landmark Chimney Rock Park in Rutherford County from the Morse family’s Chimney Rock Company. The location will become the centerpiece of a new state park under development in Hickory Nut Gorge.

The agreement sets a purchase price of $24 million for the 996-acre park and its signature 315-foot spire overlooking Lake Lure. Funding for the acquisition comes from a $15 million appropriation in the state budget and various grants from the state’s Parks and Recreation, Natural Heritage and Clean Water Management Trust funds. A private donor, who wished to remain anonymous, also contributed $2.35 million for the purchase. The agreement is the result of two years of negotiations between Chimney Rock Company and the state. Under the terms of the agreement, Chimney Rock Company will continue to operate the park through 2007 while the state parks system develops an operations plan.

Chimney Rock Park adjoins property the state acquired for Hickory Nut Gorge State Park, slated to open in 2008.

For more information, call 800-VISIT NC or visit www.VisitNC.com

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