Naturally Connecting the Communities of the High Country
By Julie Matthews
The Middle Fork Greenway, a Blue Ridge Conservancy project, is a significant community endeavor in progress in North Carolina’s High Country. With the goal of “Connecting Blowing Rock to Boone Naturally,” the multi-use recreational trail is currently in development with initial segments already open to the public. The greenway trail offers safe, convenient and inclusive access to nature.
Years in the making, this project is a partnership between the Town of Boone, the Town of Blowing Rock and Watauga County, and is already providing positive benefits to the High Country region. So far approximately two miles of the trail is open, featuring five trailhead pocket parks, and when completed the path will be about 6.5 miles, connecting with destinations including the Mountains to Sea Trail and Blue Ridge Parkway, and attractions like Tweetsie Railroad, Mystery Hill and High Gravity Adventures.
Plans call for the trail’s path to be primarily asphalt with some sections having natural surfaces. Trail activities include walking, running, cycling, skateboarding and rollerblading. Wheelchairs will be the only motorized vehicles permitted.
Significant progress is underway, with plans to construct an additional 2.5 miles of the trail between 2025 and 2028 as the next phase. “We are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel,” says Charlie Brady, Blue Ridge Conservancy Executive Director. “All of the years of dedicated work from community partners, municipalities, and state funding are coming to fruition. This is a project that everyone wants to succeed, and the support has been incredible.”
Community is at the core of the Middle Fork Greenway. An important funding initiative underway is the Round Up for the Greenway, which involves businesses asking customers if they would like to round up their bill to the next dollar for the greenway. “Over 100 local businesses have participated in the Round Up for the Greenway which happens in July during the busy tourist season,” said Wendy Patoprsty, Middle Fork Greenway Director. “This campaign matches state grants to double the local giving impact, and there is no way we could build the trail without this community support,” said Patoprsty.
Learn more by visiting MiddleForkGreenway.org.
