photo by Vicki Dameron

Projects & Programs

Since 1997, the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation has been participating in and funding a variety of projects and programs that support the Parkway. Our work falls into 3 broad categories:

Preserving the Past — protection and restoration of cultural, historical and natural resources.
Enhancing the Present — enhancement of the visitors experience through interpretive materials, visitor amenities, safety programs and equipment and National Parks Service staff support.
Safeguarding the Future — protecting the Parkway's viewshed and building the next generation of stewards through education programs.

As you travel along the Parkway, look for these plaques highlighting some of the work that your generosity has helped to provide.

Download the full listing of our project and program expenditures since 1997.

Download the approved grants to the Parkway for 2012.

Featured Projects & Programs

Blue Ridge Parkway Communications Center Building

The Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation has provided funding for a new Communications Center Building for the Blue Ridge Parkway, scheduled to open in early 2012. The building, located behind park headquarters in Asheville, will serve as the hub for all radio communications for the Parkway and give the Parkway a modern and reliable radio telecommunications network that will provide critical support for visitors and staff for many years to come.

read more > about Blue Ridge Parkway Communications Center Building

Blue Ridge Parkway Weather

The Blue Ridge Parkway will be partnering with Ray’s Weather (www.raysweather.com) and Appalachian State University to build a comprehensive weather website

read more > about Blue Ridge Parkway Weather

Graveyard Fields

Still to be scheduled, The Graveyard Fields (MP 418) project is a collaborative effort with the National Park Service, the U.S. Forest Service, and the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation to improve visitor use and stewardship of this highly trafficked area, and will expand the parking, construct a convenience station and improve the trails and interpretive signs.

read more > about Graveyard Fields

Kids in Parks

The Kids in Parks Initiative is sponsored by the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation, the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation. Working together with partners throughout the country, their mission is to promote children’s health and the health of our parks by increasing physical activity and engaging families in outdoor adventures that foster a meaningful connection to the natural and cultural world.

read more > about Kids in Parks

Parks as Classrooms

Introducing school children in 29 Virginia and North Carolina counties to the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Parks as Classrooms program is helping to build the next generation of Parkway stewards.The Foundation has provided annual operating support to this program conducted by the National Park Service since 1998.

read more > about Parks as Classrooms

Projects & Programs

Featured Projects & Programs