WELCOME-This new 14,000-square-foot facility at New River State Park's U.S .221 access serves as a visitor center. The facility was officially dedicated at a ceremony held on June 29.

Park dedicates new facilities

More than 50 residents from around the region joined officials with the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation June 29 to formally dedicate new developments at the New River State Park U.S. 221 Access in Alleghany and Ashe counties.

The $6.6 million project, funded by the N.C. Parks and Recreation Trust Fund, included a new 14,000-foot visitor center, an eight-table picnic shelter, an improved 20-site campground, complete with connections for trailers and recreational vehicles, and a maintenance complex for the long-term upkeep of the visitor facilities.

"The state parks system has been committed to the development of this area for many years, and it brings New River State Park to a new level in offering opportunities of recreation and environmental education and in serving as a focal point of the community,” said

Lewis Ledford, director of the N.C. division of Parks and Recreation who spoke at the event.

The development project at the 195-acre access represents an important milestone for those who have fought to protect the scenic beauty of the New River.

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