Mecklenburg Times: News for Mecklenburg, Union and Iredell counties Real Estate, Development, Construction, and Community News in the Charlotte area and throughout Mecklenburg, Union and Iredell counties
MARION, N.C. (AP) — The Blue Ridge Parkway is expanding in western North Carolina through the addition of about 200 acres of scenic view from the popular Bear Den Overlook, between Linville Falls and Gillespie Gap.
The Asheville Citizen-Times reports that the Foothills Conservancy land trust purchased the forested tract along 1.6 miles of the parkway in McDowell County from the Moody family Sept. 20.
The conservancy announced the 208-acre purchase Tuesday at a ceremony at the overlook. Officials say they will now be able to protect 1.5 miles of streams that drain into Honeycutt Creek, which then flows into the North Fork Catawba River.
The Bear Den property connects the Blue Ridge Parkway and Pisgah National Forest.
