Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation’s Kids In Parks Program to Open a TRACK Trail at the Blue Ridge Music Center
The Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation’s Kids in Parks program, in partnership with the National Park Service, celebrates June as the Great Outdoors Month by hosting the grand opening of a new TRACK Trail at the Blue Ridge Music Center at milepost 213 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The ribbon cutting ceremony will be held at the Blue Ridge Music Center’s Visitor Center on Saturday, June 2nd at 1:30 pm and will be followed by a ranger guided hike along the trail.
This 1.35 mile (one way) trail will be located on the site’s High Meadow Trail that begins at the Music Center’s Visitor Center and terminates at the junction of State Road 612. The out-and-back trail that winds through beautiful forests and scenic farm fields, features several brochures designed to help visitors connect with the natural, cultural and historic resources found at the site; most notably, the Music from the Blue Ridge brochure that describes the types of trees that can be found along the trail that were used to make traditional Appalachian instruments.
Over the past few years, the Kids in Parks program has been installing a network of TRACK Trails to help get kids and families "un-plugged", outdoors and actively engaged in nature, for their health and the health of our parks. "This new TRACK Trail at the Blue Ridge Music Center will enhance the network of trails within the region, adding to our locations in Mount Airy, Meadows of Dan, Grayson Highlands State Park and more…. while providing another trail location along the Blue Ridge Parkway", said Jason Urroz, Director of the Kids in Parks program.
"The musical heritage of the region is closely tied to the physical landscape of the Blue Ridge with songs about forested mountains, wildflowers, meadows, and creeks. The new Track Trail at Fishers Peak will encourage young people to get out in the natural world that helped inspire generations of musicians," said Mindy DeCesar, Supervisor of Interpretation for the Plateau District of the Blue Ridge Parkway.
"The Blue Ridge Music Center’s TRACK Trail is one of my favorite TRACK Trail locations to date", Urroz said. "The way the trail weaves in and out of farm fields and forests make it one of our more scenic adventures. When you combine that with the Music Center’s exhibits, the sampling of traditional music offered daily, and the connection to the cultural heritage of the region, you get an extremely special place to visit along the Parkway."
After stepping off the trail, hikers may wish to step back in time for "An Afternoon Jamboree". The amphitheater concert gets underway at 3 pm for a special re-creation of an old-time local radio show.
The Blue Ridge Music Center is located at Milepost 213 on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Galax, VA. (276)236-5309
