100 Year Celebration Our Mission
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100 Year Celebration Our Mission In 2016, the North The North Carolina State Parks System William B. Umstead State Park Carolina state parks exists for the enjoyment, education, system celebrates its health and inspiration of all our 100th anniversary. We’re citizens and visitors. commemorating North Carolina plans to celebrate The mission of the North Carolina the state parks system’s Division of Parks and Recreation is: centennial throughout the • to protect North Carolina’s natural year with a series of special events, festivals and a myriad diversity; of other fun and entertaining activities. • to provide and promote outdoor recreation opportunities throughout Your state parks connect us all with our rich natural North Carolina; and, heritage and our history and contribute significantly to the economy of the state. The Centennial Celebration is a • to exemplify and encourage good premier opportunity to recognize the visionary leaders of stewardship of North Carolina’s our state who set the wheels in motion to create a parks natural resources for all citizens and system which has grown to 225,000 acres and delights visitors in North Carolina. more than 15.6 million visitors each year. The North Carolina parks system’s The General Assembly authorized the purchase of land Website gives complete information on for a state park at Mount Mitchell on March 3, 1915, and each of our parks as well as programs 795 acres on the summit were acquired by the end of of the North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation. You’ll find maps that 1916, which firmly established the first state park in the Eno River State Park Carolina Beach State Park southeastern United States. North Carolina set a standard can be downloaded plus details on park facilities, fees, reservations and for the nation in protecting its natural resources. The state special outdoor activities such as parks centennial in 2016 is an opportunity for all North cycling, kayaking and rock climbing. Carolinians to renew a shared commitment of stewardship Contact information for each park of those resources. is provided as well as an up-to-date calendar of educational programs and Today, your state parks protect North Carolina’s natural special events. Check it out before your heritage, educate citizens about how to be responsible visit at www.ncparks.gov. environmental stewards and offer a wealth of recreational Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area opportunities for enjoyment and health benefits. Please We also offer specialized brochures for visit one or more in 2016. We’re sure you will find them to many of our parks. These brochures be Naturally Wonderful! include park maps and describe facilities in detail as well as the unique Pat McCrory Governor natural and historic aspects of the park. Just contact the park office or Susan Kluttz our Raleigh office at 919-707-9300, or Secretary email us at [email protected]. 50,000 copies of this public document were printed Mount Mitchell State Park at a cost of $6,995.64 or $0.14 per copy. 11/15 Jockey’s Ridge State Park Lake James State Park Support State Parks Reservations Education and Kids Trails Program Rules and Safety In North Carolina, we like to call our There are so many ways you A full-service, online- and call center-based reservations Did you know that many plants atop Mount Mitchell The North Carolina Trails Program helps volunteers, We’re serious about safety. Follow these tips to make your visit state parks “Naturally Wonderful.” can support our state parks: system can be used to reserve campsites, cabins, picnic are rare in North Carolina, but common in Quebec? Did nonprofit groups and government agencies plan, to North Carolina’s state parks a safe and rewarding experience. For us, this is more than a catch shelters, auditoriums, classrooms, conference rooms and you know that the giant sand dunes at Jockey’s Ridge develop and manage greenways, routes for hiking, phrase. It indicates how we develop community buildings. Where reservations are offered, are constantly moving? Do you know how to safely hold biking and horseback riding, as well as water trails Park speed limits are 25 mph unless otherwise posted. Watch for Do you have some extra pedestrians, bicyclists and wildlife. and manage our state parks and time to help us with a there are requirements for advance notice and minimum a crayfish? Interpretation & Education programs help and off-road vehicle trails. The program administers Don’t swim alone or exceed your swimming abilities. recreation areas. project? Visit our website and maximum stays. reveal what makes North Carolina state parks Naturally the federal Recreational Trails Program, which for information about Wonderful. provides grants to non-profit organizations and Supervise children at all times and equip them with personal flotation devices when playing around water. It has to do with our mission volunteering at a park. www.ncparks.gov governmental agencies for a variety of trail projects. statement on the facing page, Dress properly. Check with park staff regarding weather and terrain. Visit our web store Discover More with a Ranger www.ncparks.gov/trails which, in turn, evolved from our to see our full line of 1-877-7-CAMPNC From fishing lessons to astronomy Make your plans known to park staff and family members should you plan a long hike. state’s Constitution. Our principal merchandise—we have (1-877-722-6762) programs, from tree identification hikes The trails program is also planning, promoting and mission is to preserve and protect Allow plenty of time for hikes as daylight hours shorten so you everything from Christmas Park gates may be locked each night when the park closes. to guided canoe paddles—parks offer developing a system of trails across North Carolina and the the stunning natural resources in won’t be caught by darkness. ornaments to coffee So, make sure you understand the gate policies at the park programs for all ages. Visit our website flagship trail for this statewide North Carolina. The Division strives Stay on designated trails and away from streams, waterfalls and mugs. Celebrate our 2016 and plan accordingly when arranging your arrival time for a list of upcoming programs. effort is North Carolina’s to balance the protection of the cliff faces. Centennial by purchasing and when making daytime excursions outside the park. Mountains-to-Sea State Trail. more than 225,000 acres of parkland commemorative NC State Junior Rangers The trail will connect Great Here are some of the more common regulations for the in our system while providing Parks 100th Anniversary Junior Ranger guides are geared for Smoky Mountains National protection of our parks and our visitors. Check with the park high quality outdoor recreation. merchandise. These items ages 6-12. Kids do fun activities and office for other rules pertaining to specific parks. A complete We have developed these parks are great gifts for that Park to Jockey’s Ridge State set of regulations is posted at the park office. attend ranger programs to earn a special Park when complete, a distance cautiously with this idea in mind. special state parks fan, patch. Ask about the program at a of some 1,000 miles. While there are myriad recreational including yourself. park office or download the guide at Feeding wildlife is prohibited. Animals can be dangerous and carry www.ncparkstore.com disease. Report unusual behavior to park staff. opportunities, our mission demands www.ncparks.gov. relatively low-impact activities. The removal of any plant, animal, rock or artifact is prohibited. Join the Friends of State Parks to help support, We have been careful to arrange Environmental Education Learning Experiences Areas managed by North Carolina State Parks are wildlife preserves. campgrounds and park amenities to promote, and advocate for the parks system as a Hunting or trapping is prohibited. Parks have their own curriculum guides that tie science complement, rather than compete whole, or join the friends group of your favorite park. Hammocks Beach State Park Pets must be on an attended leash six feet or less. Pets aren’t al- and social studies into hands-on field trips for schools. with the natural features that attract www.fsp.org lowed in public buildings, bathhouses or swimming areas. Many parks have exciting exhibit halls for self-guided so many visitors. Keep the parks around for the next generation. Make a Boating and fishing regulations of the North Carolina Wildlife discovery. donation at www.fsp.org/Donate Grandfather Mountain State Park Resources Commission are enforced. Appropriate licenses for Parks & Recreation Trust Fund freshwater, saltwater and trout fishing are required. While visiting our state parks, you’ll Show your support for North Carolina State Parks all find that fees for camping, swimming Firearms and other weapons are prohibited except that those with year around by buying a State Parks License Plate. The North Carolina Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) a proper permit may possess a concealed handgun in permitted and other park activities are very Contact the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles helps enhance the quality of life for North Carolinians by areas & under the requirements of North Carolina G.S. 14-415.11. reasonable. Early on, the people to purchase a plate. preserving the state’s natural resources, buying parkland All firearms and weapons are prohibited in state park visitor cen- of North Carolina decided that the www.ncdot.org/dmv/ and building public recreation facilities. PARTF has conserved We’re ters and offices. Persons acting under this exception should take state’s array of natural treasures Additional fees support notice that certain Division managed properties are owned by more than 40,000 acres of state parkland and developed the U.S.