Boone Invests in Parks, Protects its Natural Elements

After attracting growth, Boone acts to maintain its greatest asset—the natural environment.

BOONE, NC – Oct. 2019

The Town of Boone, one of Western North Carolina’s most popular destinations, is experiencing growth on a number of different fronts—in the number of new developments, in population, and in student enrollment at the local Appalachian State University.

Local leaders, however, have not allowed this rapid evolution of the town to color their long-term vision. If anything, the priorities are even more entrenched, especially as it pertains to the town’s greatest asset—their natural environment.

With that aim in mind, the Town of Boone agreed in September to purchase land adjacent to the existing Daniel Boone Park, expanding the public land to 34.20 acres. The Park serves as a community hub for recreation and historical education.

“A focus of our Town Council has been the preservation and expansion of our park property,” said Town Manager John Ward. “We’re seeing growth. So they identified as a top priority to set aside some of our natural elements, protected in the form of parks.”

Boone has also leveraged several partnerships to further improve town services through the fortification and protection of the natural environment. With the help of the New River Conservancy, the Town is working to daylight, or expose, streams that had been channeled and piped, with the goal being to create natural wetland areas to help manage stormwater. Another plan, the Boone Creek Restoration Project, has a similar aim—partnering with Appalachian State University, the Town will uncover more than 1,500-feet of piped stream to help with stormwater in town and on campus.

For Boone, the focus on environmental aspects of the town is not a side project. It strikes directly at the heart of what makes the Town a blossoming community.

“The natural beauty makes Boone stand out as one of the best places to visit, to learn, and to live,” said Ward. “It’s something we’re committed to.”