Chimney Rock Park to become a state park

Chimney Rock Park, a privately owned mountain attraction since 1902, will become part of the larger state-owned Hickory Nut Gorge State Park in 2008. The Morse family, who have owned and operated the park since its inception, sold the land to the state after two years of negotiations.

Story: http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/email/news/breaking_news/16577010.htm

Commentary:

Chimney Rock Park was the first park I visited after I moved to North Carolina in January 2000. During my brief time in Asheville, I took advantage of a mild winter day to visit the park. The Lake Lure/Hickory Nut Gorge area has become a popular second home destination, and over the past decade the amount of development there has been staggering. The Morse family decided to sell to the state, which will allow the land to become part of Hickory Nut Gorge State Park, because the state will keep the grounds as part of the new park vs. making it part of another mountainside development.

I have a web feature on Chimney Rock and Lake Lure from previous visits to the park and area.

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