ALBEMARLE — Morrow Mountain State Park has an additional 45 acres of land along Mountain Creek, thanks to a partnership project between the property owners, Ron and Nancy Bryant; The LandTrust for Central North Carolina; and N.C. State Parks.
Ron and Nancy came to The LandTrust as “conservation buyers” in February 2014. They were interested in doing a like-kind exchange to purchase land with conservation value in Stanly County. The LandTrust contacted a local real estate agent, Curt Dorsey, who had helped locate the right parcel.
“This property has over 3,000 linear feet of stream frontage on scenic Mountain Creek, a stream that has rare mussels and high-water quality,” said Land Protection Director Crystal Cockman. “The site is part of Stony Hill Church Hardwoods, which is identified as a natural heritage area by the N.C. Natural Heritage Program because of its mature hardwood forests and rocky outcroppings.”
State Park employees applied and received a grant from the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund for a portion of the purchase price. With financial support from Fred and Alice Stanback, The LandTrust closed the funding gap to add the additional acreage.
“We are grateful to all those who came together to see this spectacular property added to Morrow Mountain State Park, Stanly County’s no. 1 tourist destination,” said Executive Director Travis Morehead.
http://www.courier-tribune.com/news/20180616/morrow-mountain-park-gains-45-acres
