Dear readers,
It's no mystery why DuPont State Recreational Forest drew 1.3 million visitors last year, says Kirsten McDonald, the forest's information and education supervisor.
First, she says, the 10,300-acre site in Henderson and Transylvania counties is not far from Interstate 26, making it more accessible than places like Gorges State Park, Nantahala National Forest or Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest.
Second, the forest has six spectacular waterfalls. "And you don't have to walk very far to see them," she adds.
"We've got the multi-use trails, so, we've got equestrians, hikers, runners, mountain bikers, and then our hunters and anglers. We've got lakes people can swim in. And it's free."
Being such a popular destination presents challenges, though, so officials have developed a master plan outlining changes and improvements over the coming years to keep the site sustainable and safe. For this week's cover story, I wrote about the plan, which will be presented to the state in June.
It calls for closing little-used trails, improving existing ones and opening new pathways. It also proposes making some footpaths and roads off-limits to mountain bikes or horses — a significant change at a place where the vast majority of trails are now open to all users.
"You're going to have individuals who are upset with one change or another," says Sara Landry, executive director of the nonprofit Friends of DuPont Forest. "Maybe their favorite trail is closing or whatnot. But I think that the feedback that we're getting is, 'Yeah, that's pretty fair and balanced. And more importantly, it protects the forest.'"
Thanks for reading,
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