This Land, Your Land

The Land Trust for Central North Carolina has bought 245 acres across the river from Morrow Mountain State Park that it hopes will eventually become part of the state park or the Uwharrie National Forest, the Salisbury Post reports.

The land is part of a 308-acre tract long considered one of the most important unprotected large parcels in the Uwharries area, the Post says. The LandTrust received a three-year option to buy the remaining 63 acres and is continuing to raise money to do so.

The purchased tract, formerly owned by the Capel Rug Co. in Troy, is at the convergence of the Uwharrie River and Dutchman's Creek, adjacent to the confluence of the Uwharrie River and Lake Tillery. It is located directly across from the boat launch in Morrow Mountain State Park, and is visible from hiking trails within the park. It features unique natural rock formations, a rare Piedmont waterfall (below), scenic vistas and access to the lake and river.

"Our long-term goal is to see this property opened to the public as an expansion of Morrow Mountain State Park or perhaps an expansion of the Uwharrie National Forest," said Jason Walser, executive director of The LandTrust. "... The public recreational opportunities for this parcel truly cannot be overstated."