State Park Efforts Continue In White County, Park System Purchases Land

Friends of Virgin Falls has sold some 240 acres of land to the state park system to expand three natural areas in White County.

President Charles Womack said Virgin Falls, Dog Cove and Lost Creek State Natural Areas would grow from the purchase.

“We’re trying to purchase also some land from Tabor City Land Company and join all that together with a trail across Bridgestone Firestone, the nature conservancy area, and have a wilderness backpacking state park,” Womack said.

The efforts continue the push to establish a state park in White County. Earlier this year, White County asked for state approval to make Virgin Falls into a state park. State Representative Paul Sherrell introduced the legislation, but the support was not there.

Womack said the plan is to bring the legislation back to the General Assembly for consideration in the coming year.

“We’ve got the help and aid of people in authority in White County,” Womack said. ‘We’re trying to enlarge the state natural areas and make it a bigger and better state park.”

The 240 acres has a direct connection with Highway 70. Womack said the area has better access than the traditional Virgin Falls trail head on Eastland Road and would hopefully bring more visitors.

Womack said Friends of Virgin Falls now looks at some 1,000 for sale by Tabor City Land. Womack said the organization would like to help the state buy that land, as well.

According to Womack, Friends of Virgin Falls purchased the 240 acres through an option. Womack said the state purchase allowed the organization to repay the loan.