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Craggy Gardens Visitor Center just north of Asheville on the Blue Ridge Parkway MATCHING GIFT OPPORTUNITY!
With its prolific summer blooms of rhododendron and 360-degree mountaintop views, Craggy Gardens is an iconic Parkway destination that is loved by tourists and locals. It ranks as one of the most popular locations in America's most visited national park unit.
Sadly, this recreation area just a short drive north from Asheville is showing extreme deterioration. The 71-year-old visitor center is weathered and run-down. Its restrooms are only accessible via an exterior stairway and are closed seasonally and prone to water system breaks. Information along the trails is minimal, and the picnic area needs significant rehabilitation.
Your donation for this initiative will help fund two sets of permanent, fully accessible, waterless vault toilets at Craggy Visitor Center and another set in the parking lot for Craggy Pinnacle Trail; five new trailhead exhibits; and planning and design work to renovate and improve the visitor center, the picnic area, and other site features.
The total cost for this project is $1.5 million. Your contribution will be matched dollar for dollar by a $750,000 grant from the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority’s new Legacy Investment from Tourism (LIFT) Fund. Please double the impact of your gift and revitalize Craggy Gardens!