by Alicia Vasto, LandTrust AmeriCorps member
September 2, 2015
Montgomery County is well on its way to becoming a destination for canoeists and kayakers across the state. More and more
The Little River. Photo by Crystal Cockman
access points on rivers are being developed by various groups, including towns, the NC Wildlife Resources Commission, and non-profit organizations such as The LandTrust for Central NC. As more access is made to the Uwharrie, Yadkin, and Little Rivers for canoeing and kayaking, more opportunities are made for recreation and tourism development across the county.
Paddling access to the Little River has greatly expanded over the past few years. Public access areas include the new Troy-owned access on Troy-Candor Road, the NC Wildlife Resources Commission-owned access at Pekin Road, and a community-pay access on Green Oak Gap Road. Plans are now in place to develop another access in Star off of Okeewemee-Star Road at the new Forks of the Little River Passive Park. This access will add over 5 miles of river length to the paddling opportunities on the Little River.
The Town of Star purchased the Forks of the Little River Passive Park in February with assistance from The LandTrust for Central NC. The park is situated at the confluence of the east and west forks of the Little River, just outside of the town. The park will be developed with new hiking trails, a picnic area, and a canoe put-in with adjacent parking lot. When it is finished, it will be an excellent spot to take the family for an afternoon of exploration. The park contains beautiful mature hardwood forests, large rock outcroppings, and mountain laurel covered slopes. The natural communities throughout provide a mountainous feel uncommonly found in the Piedmont. The forks of the Little River are classified as Nationally Significant Aquatic Habitat by the North Carolina Natural Heritage program. Eight species of rare or endangered mussels have been found at the park. Rare plants including Piedmont Indigo-bush (Amorpha schwerinii) are found there as well.
Developing the park will take the combined effort of several partners as well as community support. The partnership between The LandTrust and the Town was vital to the purchase and protection of this 30-acre property. The LandTrust and the Town will continue to work together to develop the park. The Star Heritage Foundation recently agreed to provide the funding for the parking area. The Uwharrie TrailBlazers, a volunteer group associated with The LandTrust, will be providing their expertise in trail building to assist with trail development at the new park. A volunteer trail building day has been scheduled for October 10 at 8:30am at the new park. Volunteers of all experience levels are welcome to assist with trail building and park clean up. The approximate address of Forks of the Little River Passive Park is 1500 Okeewemee-Star Road, where Okeewemee-Star Road crosses the Little River. Please contact The LandTrust for more information at 336-633-0143.