This Land, Your Land

An update from The Fayetteville Observer says Carver's Creek State Park in northern Cumberland County could open its Long Valley Farm area next May.

The 1,420-acre former estate of James Stillman Rockefeller is being restored to depict life on an early-20th century scientific farm, and renovations of the farm house and other historic buildings, which include a pavilion, a water mill and an electrical generating station, have taken longer than expected, state parks Spokesman Charlie Peek told the newspaper.

The farm area, off of McCloskey Road, will also include two miles of hiking trails, a lake for fishing and canoeing, and maybe canoe and kayak rentals, Peek said.

Carvers Creek was authorized by the General Assembly in 2005. The state is completing its master plan for what is to eventually be a 4,000-acre urban park comparable to Umstead State Park in Raleigh.

The park straddles U.S. 210 and U.S. 401 north of Fayetteville, and extends from the border of Fort Bragg on the west to a section on the Cape Fear River to the east. The two segments of the park are to be linked by a trail for pedestrians and bicycles.

The river area is to eventually offer multi-use trails, multiple campgrounds, fishing, boating, bicycling, horseback riding, picnicking, wildlife observation, and a visitors center and community building.