Oak Hill Community Park and Forest Officially Opens in Morganton
On October 15th, the Foothills Conservancy will host the grand opening of its 652-acre property a few minutes west of downtown Morganton.
MORGANTON, North Carolina—The time has finally arrived for Burke County’s newest park to open, a few minutes directly west of downtown Morganton.
Located at 820-NC 126, the Oak Hill Community Park and Forest will officially open to the public a 652-acre land trust.
Acquired through community support, this acreage has the potential to further root sustainability, environmental stewardship, and equitable economic practices in this part of Appalachia.
It’s Taken the Entire Community to Realize This Park
The park is another among the more than 68,000 acres protected by the Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina (FCNC), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit conservation organization based in Morganton.
“I think we all see this park as being stewarded by the community,” says Brittany Watkins, volunteer and engagement coordinator at FCNC. “This park is a great opportunity for people to get hands-on experience with environmental science and to study and learn more about the natural areas in our region and why it is important to protect those areas.”
Three years in the making, the park further affirms Morganton as “nature’s playground,” demonstrating a commitment to stewardship, equitable access to the outdoors, and local community.
“Guided by a park master plan that included public input, FCNC has spent the last three years developing initial park infrastructure on the Oak Hill Community Park and Forest property, with the ultimate goal of making it a destination for outdoor recreation, environmental education, forestry demonstration, community events, and community agriculture,” says Andrew Kota, executive director of FCNC.
“It’s incredibly important for people to have easy access to natural areas, and it’s part of our land trust’s mission to make that happen in our service area,” Kota continues.
Hiking Trails, Protected Tributaries and Forests, and Equitable Agricultural Lands
Since acquiring the property in 2020, FCNC has constructed five miles of multi-use trails and two-and-a-half miles of hiking-only trails. An additional 18 miles of trail are in the process of being laid out, with plans to build the next five to six miles in the coming year.
A 75-car parking lot has already been constructed at the trailhead, roughly 1,000 feet from the park entrance, along NC 126.
“We are excited to finally share this park with our community! We’ve been preparing for this day for several years and it’s remarkable that FCNC has done so in such a short period of time,” Kota remarks. “We wouldn’t have been able to open Oak Hill Park without the support of our community, excellent project management by conservancy staff, and the hard work of many contractors.”
Oak Hill Community Park and Forest permanently protects a segment of Canoe Creek and multiple tributary streams, forested uplands, significant agricultural land, and scenic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and South Mountains.
Areas of the property that were timbered prior to FCNC ownership have been stewarded through forest restoration projects and over 3,700 trees have been planted in the park so far.
In addition to planting a few thousand shortleaf pines, FCNC is trying to slow the growth of red maples and yellow poplars so oaks and hickories can flourish once again in our region.
Oak Hills Community Park and Forest is also busy piloting a program designed to fructify local agriculture and empower traditionally marginalized and disadvantaged workers.
Stewardship Director Ryan Sparks has described the initiative as an “incubator farm situation” where “socially disadvantaged farmers, people of color, and young folks who are facing obstacles in becoming agricultural producers” have an opportunity to more fully participate in the local economy.
This incubator is modeled after a farmland program created by another conservation nonprofit in western North Carolina, the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy.
FCNC invites residents of the Foothills region to attend the grand opening of Oak Hill Community Park and Forest, with additional information available on their Facebook Event page.
Not just for outdoor recreation and land and water conservation, in the years to come, this new park should become a hub for multiple causes dear to Common Appalachian readers and other communitarian-minded folks.
Saturday, October 14th, 2023 - Park Grand Opening Schedule:
10:00 AM – Ribbon Cutting and Remarks
The public is invited to join members of FCNC alongside donors and community members. Take a commemorative piece of ribbon home with you!
10:15 AM - Guided Stewardship Hike
Enjoy a mild 2.5-mile hike on Oak Hills’ hike-only section of trail while FCNC staff point out sustainable trail practices and forest stewardship projects along the way! This hike will be led by Foothills Conservancy’s Trails Program Director, Shane Prisby, and Stewardship Director, Ryan Sparks.
10:15 AM - 12:00 PM - Nature Crafts
Stop by the nature craft station to learn more about common plants and wildlife you may see in the park. All ages are welcome to make an art piece you can take home or leave your mark in the park! This event is part of Our Big Backyard, FCNC’s environmental education program.
10:30 AM - Guided Mountain Bike Ride
Be one of the first to ride a brand new 5-mile mountain bike trail! This is a beginner-friendly, no-drop ride. We will stop periodically at points of interest along the trail. Led by Foothills Conservancy’s Executive Director, Andrew Kota, and Marketing Manager, Katherine Ehrlichman.
6:00 PM - Sunset Stroll
Join FCNC staff for an easy walk along a mostly flat gravel road that winds past the park’s agricultural lands, including a young grove of chestnut trees.
Following the Grand Opening, members of the community will be free to hike, bike, and explore the park at their leisure.