Blue Ridge Parkway

FRIENDS of the
Blue Ridge Parkway, Inc.

A National Park Service Blue Ridge Parkway approved
partner organization dedicated to preserve, promote
and enhance the Blue Ridge Parkway, a national treasure,
for future generations.

Volunteer Join Donate Adopt-A-Trail Adopt-an-Overlook

FRIENDS Asheville Chapter

Fall mountains

  • Our chapter’s business is conducted by a Steering Committee which meets monthly.  Hugh Stephens, chair,  Jake Haulk vice-chairman and corresponding secretary, Mary-Allison Lind, publicity, and Dan Raber, coordinating membership and trail and overlook trash pickup assignments. Other members supervise projects undertaken by the chapter.

 

  • The Chapter is currently providing necessary liaison to support two groups undertaking maintenance work on the Parkway:

 

1)                  Warren Wilson College Service Learning Program: two week-long work sessions with students, one in October, 2009 and the other in March, 2010. In October, nine students refurbished eleven tent pad sites at the Pisgah Campground. In March, eight students painted and repaired buildings at the Pisgah District Maintenance facility.

          

2)                  “Timothy Project” work sessions for four days during two weeks in June and July.  Students from 7th-12th grades from various Christian churches throughout the Southeast come to Western North Carolina for a week, once day of which is dedicated to “environmental stewardship” work on the Parkway.  Two days of work took place in June and two more will take place in July.  About 15-20 students are involved each time. Steering Committee member Jake Haulk underwrote the costs of providing lunch for Volunteers.

 

  • Revised and reprinted the “30 Hikes” brochure showing trails located along the Parkway from the Craggy Gardens to Mt. Pisgah.  Issued in May, this was made possible with a $5,000 grant from REI.  This is available for those visitors who express interest in hiking and at several major commercial outlets which cater to hikers.

 

  • On behalf of the Chapter, Hugh Stephens attended events associated with the beginning of the 75th anniversary celebration held at the Thomas Wolfe Center in Asheville October 15.

 

  • The Chapter manned a table at the Folk Arts Center for a 75th Anniversary event on November 14th, 2009.

 

  • The chapter has provided “seed tables” at the Visitor Center as part of special events held for children by the Parkway each month during the summers of 2009 and 2010.

 

  • In May, under the guidance of Steering Committee member Gary Eblen, disadvantaged youth at the Randolph Learning Center were brought to the Visitor Center for a tour and to work briefly on flower beds. 

If you are interested in volunteering for upcoming projects, or would like more information about this Chapter, please contact Hugh Stephens.  You can also call the FRIENDS office at 800-228-7575.