Green Valley Community Park

GVCP was initially established out of a desire to provide recreational and outdoor educational opportunities for the children of our community. We set out to create, within the general vicinity of Green Valley School , a multipurpose community park. In September 2000, after more than a year of searching for an ideal site, GVCP purchased 12 acres of land on Big Hill Road , only 3 miles Green Valley School , nestled alongside the New River . Since the purchase of the park property, GVCP has worked with other community groups to ensure the responsible development of the property into an accessible community park that will benefit residents of the Green Valley Community, as well as Ashe and Watauga Counties , while protecting the property's natural beauty and ecological health. We continue to work year-round to raise funds to retire the mortgage, to engender support for the park, and to develop the park property.

GVCP plans to preserve the natural beauty of the property and protect the riverbank and the wetland area, while providing a variety of park amenities. To date, we have constructed walking and hiking trails and a canoe ramp, established a roadside parking area, constructed a picnic shelter, established the main athletic field, and installed park benches. We also have plans for adding signage as well as more benches to the trails, for constructing a playground area, a boardwalk for wetland viewing, and permanent restroom facilities, and for establishing various conservation activities, such as water quality monitoring and native plant restoration. In partnership with the National Committee for the New River , we purchased 7 acres adjacent to the original property, using funds provided through a grant from the Clean Water Management Trust Fund. Plans for most of that acreage involve protection of the native stream to reduce sedimentation in the river and establishment of a healthy vegetative buffer along the river and the stream.

GVCP invites community groups to use the park for both recreational programs and educational science and nature programs. We also look forward to having church groups and families use the park for reunions and other gatherings. We anticipate that the uses and benefits of the park will grow and evolve over time, as area groups discover all that the park has to offer.

Numerous local organizations have provided assistance, support, and guidance to GVCP in the establishment of the park, recognizing that the park enhances the overall quality of life for the surrounding community. Among those organizations are Ashe County Chamber of Commerce, Bethany Lutheran Church, Bethelview United Methodist Church, Blue Ridge Resource, Conservation, & Development Council, Green Valley School, Elkland Art Center, Meat Camp VFD, National Committee for the New River, South Fork Baptist Church, Todd Community Preservation Organization, Todd Ruritan Club, Valle Crucis Park, Watauga County Board of Commissioners, Watauga County Chamber of Commerce, Watauga County Parks and Recreation, and the Watauga County Soil and Water Conservation office. In addition to individuals and families who have contributed their time, energy, materials, and money to support the park, numerous local businesses also have provided invaluable financial and material support.

Updated January 2006