Preserving Nature

Preserving Nature

Preserving Nature

While National Parks across the country struggle with maintaining their trails, campsites and attractions due to inadequate funding, places like Chimney Rock Park and Grandfather Mountain in Western North Carolina have taken family-owned land and transformed them into public playgrounds. The descendants of the original landowners operate both parks while visitors from all over the globe come for the fabulous views and experience trails ranging from easy walks to strenuous climbs. Today, they charge a small fee used to preserve the environments as well as the natural heritage of the region, but remain entirely self-sufficient.

For more info on these parks: www.chimneyrockpark.com (800) 277-9611 and www.grandfather.com (800) 468-7325

Grandfather Mountain, known for its mile-high swinging bridge, is home to more than 30 endangered plants and animals. Chimney Rock Park, best known for its 75-mile views from the top of the Chimney, boasts six hiking trails, a 404-foot waterfall and nature center. While the Park Service struggles to balance nature and visitation, both of these parks serve as successful examples of what privatization can achieve.