Mountain biking and new hiking trails are being designed for installation on Little White Oak Mountain.  Cooperation between Conserving Carolina (the consolidation of Pacolet Area Conservancy and Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy), Polk County, and the State of North Carolina have aided in the long-term protection of 1,068 acres on Little White Oak Mountain and allows 300 acres of the mountain property to be acquired by Polk County. 

Acquisition of a portion of the Little White Oak Mountain property by Polk County Parks and Recreation was made possible by the County’s pursuit of a grant from the North Carolina Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF).  The recently awarded PARTF grant will allow Polk County to purchase 300 acres of the eastern portion of the Little White Oak Mountain tract from Conserving Carolina.  This purchase will allow for the expansion of the existing trail system at the Recreation Complex, and once developed into trails, the land will be open to hiking and running and serve as Polk County’s only trails system designed to accommodate mountain bikes. 

The trailhead for the system will be at the current Polk County Recreation Complex.  Polk County Parks and Recreation will work with partners to develop a 7-10 mile natural surface multi-use trail system on the 300 acres.  The system will be designed and built by professional trail builders and built using sustainable trail standards.  In addition to public recreation, the trails and land will be used for education and exploration by Polk County Schools students, particularly those at Polk County Middle School which borders the land.

“We are very excited about the proposed trail system at Little White Oak Mountain,” says Polk County Parks and Recreation Director, Jerry Stensland.  “It’s going to be the only trail system of its kind in the county.  We will have beginner and more advanced trails for mountain biking and trails that are perfect for a short hike to a picnic area, nature exploration, or an all-day adventure.”

The land purchase helps preserve one of the iconic views in Polk County and will make the land available to public through an extensive trail system.  Conserving Carolina, your local land trust, purchased 1,068-acres on the southeast-facing slope of Little White Oak Mountain in December 2016 in order to preserve the rare flora, water quality, and scenic view.  This area was formerly known as Foster Creek Preserve and had been approved for the development of nearly 700 upper-income residential units; development that would have altered the rural character at the heart of Polk County. 

Purchase of this large, intact mountain property not only provides the long-term protection of 21 rare and uncommon species (including the state and federal endangered White Irisette (Sisyrinchium dichotomum)), more than 13 miles of streams, and the magnificent view of the unspoiled mountain, but it will also provide much needed workforce housing and recreational opportunities for public enjoyment, by the expansion of trails by the Polk County Parks and Recreation purchase and by the procurement of approximately 600 acres of the property by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. 

Polk County residents are invited to join Conserving Carolina to complete the financing of this mountain purchase.  A legacy gift to the Little White Oak Mountain Polk Challenge $400K will be matched dollar for dollar and will complete the investment made in Polk County for the benefit of all.  $120,000 of the $400K to be raised from Polk County residents remains.

Tax-deductible donations, of any amount, can be made to the Conserving Carolina’s “Little White Oak Mountain Polk Challenge $400K” by mail to Conserving Carolina at 2060 Lynn Road, Suite 1, Columbus, NC 28722, by calling 828-859-5060, or online at conservingcarolina.org/donate.

– submitted by Pam Torlina