Save Chimney Rock Park!

Write letters to the editor of all papers in the region to support the preservation of the park. Contact your friends, particularly in places like Charlotte and Raleigh, to do the same.

Here are important points to consider including in a letter to the editor:

Emphasize the regional importance of Chimney Rock Park as the most recognizable landmark in the state.
Chimney Rock Park is one of the most significant ecological sights in the entire southeast. The flora and fauna of the park are rich, diverse and irreplaceable. The park contains rare and indigenous plants, unusual geological formations and a variety of native wildlife. Chimney Rock Park already has more than 3.5 miles of well maintained nature trails and many structures the North Carolina Parks will need for the future Hickory Nut Gorge State Park.
Chimney Rock Park offers the only available property that has US Highway access and land form the Rocky Broad River to the an elevation of over 2200 feet.
The local, state and regional economies depend on the 250,000+ tourist that come to see Chimney Rock Park.
Urge Governor Mike Easely to get personally involved to reach a deal with the state the preserve the park.
Quote from the Daily Courier (7/19/2006); "It would be a disaster unprecedented in Rutherford County to see all that the Park has become and all that it still might be regulated to our memories."
Quote from the Asheville Citizen Times (7/21/2006); "Losing Chimney Rock Park to private development would severely harm the economy of the Hickory Nut Gorge and be a sad end to a remarkable legacy of family stewardship."
Thank the governor for his support for the $15 million recently passed in the state budget. This is an unprecedented amount for a special appropriation for parkland acquisition. Also Don't forget to thank the governor for encouraging the NC Parks to buy land here in the Hickory Nut Gorge for the new state park.

If you have time, please copy us any emails, letters or notes you send. We would like to archive all the work done in regard to saving Chimney Rock Park. Thank you for all your help! savechimneyrock@aol.com

Link to our latest Press Release

USA Today

The Asheville Citizen-Times Dave Russell EDITORIAL ASSISTANT / LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

The Banner UNC-Asheville newspaper- Business Office (828) 251-6586 banner@unca.edu

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

The Black Mountain News

The Mountain Times - Boone

Watauga Democrat, Boone

The Smoky Mountain Times, Bryson City

The Chapel Hill News

The Daily Tar Heel, Chapel Hill

The Franklin Press