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Doughton Park Trail

BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY

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Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation Announces Latest Initiatives By Rita Larkin

Each year, the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation works with the National Park Service to determine where donors can make the greatest impact on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The nonprofit just announced its 2021 Parkway Project List, which outlines the ways donors can transform this amazing national park unit.

Here are just a few examples of the projects charitable contributions can accomplish:

BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) Conservation Corps Trail Crew:

With donor support, eight young adults will receive a once-in-a-lifetime outdoor experience. Through a collaboration with the Conservation Corps of North Carolina (CCNC), gifts will provide trail restoration training and additional support for the crew. The team will spend 14 weeks rehabilitating the Tanawha Trail near Julian Price Memorial Park. The project is designed to give young adults the opportunity to work side by side with National Park Service employees and be part of a personally and professionally empowering adventure. Participants will also receive college credit and preferred hiring status with federal land management agencies.

Viewshed Restoration: As part of the Trails & Views Forever program, arborist crews will continue to restore the Parkway’s famous overlooks. A highly trained team is slated to clear overgrown vegetation at designated vistas this fall to reveal gorgeous mountain views.

Webcams: Webcams can keep visitors connected to the Parkway long after their journey along the scenic route. To provide year-round views of the park online, the Foundation is asking for support to fund the installation of state-of-the-art web cameras at key locations along the scenic route.

Doughton Park Map: To help share information about Doughton Park Recreation Area’s history, trails, and amenities, a new map will be designed and provided free for visitors. The recreation area is at milepost 241 on the Parkway in Laurel Springs, NC. One of the distribution sites will be The Bluffs Restaurant, which is once again serving hungry travelers.

Kids in Parks: Inspiring the next generation of park lovers is critical for the future of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Kids in Parks is reaching budding stewards by expanding its network of family-friendly TRACK Trails and creating new activity guides to engage kids with the natural, cultural, and historical resources at parks. Contributions to the program introduce families to the outdoors in fresh ways, and provide for the installation of three new TRACK Trails along the Parkway corridor. Chetola Resort & Spa in Blowing Rock is one of the latest TRACK Trail sites!

Every gift, regardless of the amount, supports remarkable places and programs on the Parkway. For additional projects and programs, go to BRPFoundation.org and visit the Your Gifts at Work page.