BAKERSVILLE — It's been a long time coming, but Roan Mountain Gardens Recreation Area will reopen to the public Monday June 6th, 2011, just in time for the annual Catawba rhododendron extravaganza.

The highly popular Roan Gardens and grassy bald areas in Pisgah National Forest of Mitchell County, known for the spectacular purplish-pink rhododendron blooms in mid-June, have been closed since last summer for upgrades and renovations.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funded the $700,000 project.
“We've taken the opportunity to spruce things up, and we hope people will really appreciate all the hard work,” said Tina Tilley, district ranger on the Appalachian District of Pisgah National Forest.
Despite a request by the Forest Service last year to increase the user fee, Tilley said, it will remain the same — $3 per car.
“Visitors will notice a newly accessible restroom, replacing a 1960s-era restroom near the Cloudland parking lot,” said Stevin Westcott, spokesman for the National Forests in North Carolina.
“A replaced and resurfaced Rhododendron Gardens observation deck and connecting trail system, and resurfacing of the main paved road that leads to the Cloudland parking area will all increase visitor safety and accessibility,” he said. “The project provided employment for local contractors and helped us to address a backlog of facility maintenance.”

 

Don't forget to mark your calendars for the upcoming NC Rhododendron Festival June 17-18!