YADKIN VALLEY BANK INCREASES PARK TRAIL MAINTENANCE CAPACITY.

Elkin, NC based Yadkin Valley Bank recently sponsored the “first of its kind” trail vacation work-week on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Co-sponsored by the American Hiking Society, the national host organization for “National Trails Day”, this project added new capacity to the National Park Service’s ability to maintain its trails.

“Yadkin Valley Bank’s grant provided us a complete trail kitchen,” exclaims Dr. Houck Medford, Executive Director. “Without the new portable shelter and camp supplies, we would have never been able to attract such highly motivated volunteers.”

Each year, the American Hiking Society, promotes trail vacation maintenance projects which attract nearly 800 trail volunteers to federal and state recreational areas. Almost all programs are sold out.

The work site location was the Basin Creek drainage of the 6,000-acre Doughton Park.

“The quality and quantity of work accomplished was impressive,” acknowledges Ray Shaw, area maintenance supervisor for the Highlands District at Doughton Park. “We have not been able to provide this detailed and careful attention to this particular trail system in years.”

This is a great opportunity to engage our trail stewards in helping with our back log of trail maintenance needs”, emphasized Dan Brown, Parkway Superintendent. “Basin Creek is spectacular for its flowers and native trout water fishing at this time of year. The valley is prolific with history and is the site of the Parkway’s recently restored historic Caudill Cabin.”