The New River Conservancy finalized its purchase of a 174-acre Grayson County tract of land that had been considered a site for housing development.
The forest land with 2,530 feet of river frontage will be open to the public and permanently protected.
Working with the New River Soil and Water Conservation District, the conservancy aims to transform old logging roads into hiking trails, creating river access.
A rare flower was discovered in the New River Hill Forest purchase.
Upon the news that the land might be developed, donors and friends joined the effort to help protect the land, including Charlotte Hanes, longtime advocate for the New River; Tim Phipps, conservation specialist for the New River Soil and Water Conservation District, and New River Conservancy staff.
Hanes said, “I am so happy Tim called me about this land being available. We joined with New River Conservancy and others to protect it so the public… could have access to a park on the river. Unlike boat landings which often restrict swimming, fishing and picnicking, this land will provide a public access for these activities.”
“When the land became available,” Phipps said, “we knew how important this land is, as it is adjacent to other tracts that were already owned by us. We are extremely grateful for all the support and look forward to the public being able to use it in the future.”
The conservancy has raised nearly $1 million to buy the land with support from Fred and Alice Stanback, Hanes, the Jack M. Matthews Foundation, and other donors. The conservancy is still working to raise $10,000.
To learn more, visit the conservancy at https://www.newriverconservancy.org/.
