State set to take

over large tract

of local attraction
By Scott Nicholson

N.C. Rep. Cullie Tarleton (D-93) and N.C. Sen. Steve Goss (D-45) are co-sponsors of bills that would formally establish Grandfather Mountain as a new addition to the state park system.

The bills have been submitted to both houses of the N.C. General Assembly, according to the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation, and are the next steps in the plan announced last year in which the state will take over much of the land surrounding the well-known attraction and biosphere preserve.

Approval would formally name the new state park and allow the state parks system to designate as park land 2,456 acres to be purchased from the heirs of Hugh Morton, who assembled the property and established a nature-oriented theme park in the 1950s.

An agreement for the state to purchase the undeveloped, backcountry portion of Grandfather Mountain was announced in September. Funding for the $12 million acquisition will come from the N.C. Parks and Recreation and Natural Heritage trust funds respectively.

“Along with approval of the purchase by the Council of State and the formal closing, this is a benchmark in the creation of what will become one of North Carolina’s signature state parks, and we’re grateful for such broad legislative support,” said Lewis Ledford, director of state parks, in a statement.

“We have been meeting regularly with Crae Morton and other officials of Grandfather Mountain Inc. to finalize a plan for management of this property and its 12 miles of trails during the transition.”

The Morton family will continue to operate the travel destination with its nature center, wildlife habitats and Mile High Swinging Bridge on a paid-admission basis.

The agreement gives the state a conservation easement on the 749-acre theme park portion of the property.

The easement allows the seven wildlife habitats and events such as Singing on the Mountain and the Highland Games to continue.

The acquisition was arranged in 2008 with the help of The Conservation Fund and The Nature Conservancy, which holds conservation easements on the mountain and surrounding properties totaling close to 4,000 acres.

The property lies in Watauga, Avery and Caldwell counties, and contains the headwaters of both the Watauga and Linville rivers. It features 73 rare species and the 5,946-foot Calloway Peak.

The house bill has been referred to the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources.

The senate bill has been forwarded to the Appropriations Committee.