Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country | Founded 05-05-05

August 23, 2007 issue

Question Around the Office?

What Is Going On With the Middlefork Greenway?

Researched by Sam Calhoun

High Country Press last checked with the Middlefork Greenway Association (MGA) at the end of 2006 to get an update on the project. The MGA was formed seven years ago to establish a walking and bicycle trail that would link the towns of Blowing Rock and Boone, as well as connect with the Mountains-to-Sea trail. Although the link has yet to be completed, the MGA has received easements on a few parcels of land and has purchased others, and the organization is currently diligently pursuing more easements.

According to MGA President Dick Hearn, the MGA is “still working, still moving on the project,” and currently, the MGA is creating a public relations video and putting the finishing touches on a website.

Recently, Hearn said, benches for the Whitener property and Gold Mine portions of the trail were completed and are in place. The MGA is waiting on insurance policies to take effect so that the areas and benches can be opened to the public. The 3.7-acre Whitener property was donated by Barbara and Sterling Whitener in October 2006 and is located on Highway 321 across from Mystery Hill and Tweetsie Railroad. The Gold Mine property—named for the creek that runs through it—was donated in summer 2006 and is located on Highway 321 beside Niley Cook Road.

While working with the North Carolina Department of Transportation on easements along Highway 321, the MGA is in negotiations with two large landowners bordering Highway 321. Hearn could not speak on the record about the negotiations but said that more information and an announcement are expected very soon.

The next MGA meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 10, at 5:00 p.m. at Black Bear Books in Boone. The general public is invited to attend.

Hearn added that even though the Middlefork Greenway is not completed, he hopes people will get out and enjoy the parts that have come online, especially Payne Branch Park. “It’s a beautiful place—a nice place to have lunch or dinner,” said Hearn.