Stories

Published: May 24, 2024

Catawba County Parks 25th Birthday Bashes

Join us for special Birthday Bashes at each of our parks this July!...

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Published: May 09, 2024

Catawba County Parks Trail Challenge

Help celebrate 25 years of Catawba County Parks by completing our trail challenge! Here's how to participate...

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Published: May 01, 2024

Take on the Catawba County Triple Threat

Looking for the ultimate three-day weekend? Our three large-scale parks represent the ultimate “triple threat” for outdoor adventure: hiking, biking, and paddling...

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Published: December 27, 2023

2023 Year End Review

As we wrap up North Carolina's Year of the Trail, here's a review of 2023 and all...

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Published: December 20, 2023

MCP All-Access Route

This easy 2.2-mile route at Mountain Creek Park follows paved paths to the lakefront area and back, passing many of the park’s most popular amenities including...

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Published: December 07, 2023

Ride Dirt, Not Mud

Help protect the trails from damage and preserve them for future enjoyment for everyone with this explanation of why not to...

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Published: November 20, 2023

Riverbend Highlights Loop

This 6-mile route at Riverbend Park travels along a river, pond and numerous creeks, through woods rich in biodiversity and across open, grassy meadows past notable spots...

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Published: November 03, 2023

Gratitude for Trails & Parks

This month we show gratitude for the great trails right here in Catawba County and extend a heartfelt thanks to the stewards of our outdoor spaces...

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Published: October 26, 2023

Bakers Mountain Highlights Tour

This moderately-challenging 2.4-mile route at Bakers Mountain Park incorporates the park’s most notable spots featuring views, streams, historical sites and natural landmarks...

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Published: September 28, 2023

St. Stephens Dog Walk

This family- and dog-friendly 0.43 mile walk at St. Stephens Park loops around the perimeter of the park, past a playground, picnic shelter, and two fenced-in dog parks...

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Published: September 19, 2023

MCP Technical MTB Ride

This 2.25-mile mountain biking route at Mountain Creek Park incorporates the park’s two most advanced trails rated blue/black, which...

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Published: September 04, 2023

Achieve a Trail Goal

In the month of September, we're celebrating the Year of the Trail by encouraging you to Achieve a Trail Goal, no matter how big or small....

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Published: August 24, 2023

Riverbend Green Trail Loop

This 6-mile route on Riverbend Park's multi-purpose Green trail follows the outer perimeter of the 690-acre property, traveling through a variety of habitats...

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Published: July 10, 2023

Bakers Mountain Story Walk

This family-oriented, quarter-mile story walk at Bakers Mountain Park follows the stroller-friendly, paved LITeracy Trail...

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Published: July 03, 2023

Celebrate NC Parks

Recognizing a role in preserving natural spaces for wildlife conservation and for passive recreation for our community, the opening of Riverbend Park in 1999 led to...

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Published: June 19, 2023

MCP Loblolly Loop MTB Ride

This 5.25-mile mountain biking route at Mountain Creek Park follows a lollypop loop for a ride that is easy enough for a novice but challenging enough for an experienced rider...

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Published: May 09, 2023

Riverbend Blue Trail Run

This 4.3-mile route at Riverbend Park follows the Blue trail on a mixed singletrack and doubletrack course for a flowy and mildly technical trail run....

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Published: April 10, 2023

Bakers Mountain Wildflower Walk

This seasonal 1.6-mile route at Bakers Mountain Park was designed to showcase the park’s diversity of spring wildflowers which reach peak bloom mid-April...

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Published: April 01, 2023

Celebrate NC Trails

Catawba County has over 45+ miles of trails that weave and wander through our community, and this April, we celebrate them all......

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Published: March 20, 2023

Featured Hike: MCP Outer Perimeter Route

This 10-mile route at Mountain Creek Park, rated moderate for its length, follows the park’s outer perimeter along the edge of the lake, the inlets of two creeks and...

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Published: March 01, 2023

Spring Into Action

As we draw closer to spring, we encourage you to "Spring Into Action" to help preserve and protect our unique and diverse natural heritage. Some great ways to do your part are...

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Published: February 21, 2023

Featured Hike: Riverbend Family Loop

This hike at Riverbend Park is an easy 2-mile loop, with an optional 0.6-mile add-on to a creekside picnic area. It is perfect for the family and...

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Published: February 07, 2023

Visitor Profile: Rob Dickerson

Lifelong cyclist Rob Dickerson shares his passion for Mountain Creek Park, which he labels "a Swiss army knife of great activities" for families and individuals...

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Published: January 19, 2023

Featured Hike: Bakers Mountain Loop

This moderately challenging 2.7-mile loop hike at Bakers Mountain Park takes an average of 1.5 hours to complete. The route features...

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Published: December 16, 2022

First Day Hikes to Kick Off NC Year of the Trail

To kick off the new year and North Carolina's Year of the Trail, the Catawba County Park System will host First Day Hikes on January 1, 2023...

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Published: December 06, 2022

Pup 'n Play: A Treat for You and Fido

Newly-adopted dogs and their owners can enjoy Catawba County's dog parks at no cost through Pup ‘n Play......

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Published: November 11, 2022

Clark Cabin & Memorial at Bakers Mountain

This Veterans Day, we share the story of A.G. Clark, a decorated US Army soldier killed in action in World War II who is memorialized at Bakers Mountain Park...

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Published: November 04, 2022

Mountain Creek Park Video

Take a mini desk vacation to Mountain Creek Park with this video produced by Table Rock Productions....

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Published: October 17, 2022

Fall at Bakers Mountain Park

Autumn foliage, an increased bird population, and a sparkle on the trails create a perfect scene at Bakers Mountain Park in the fall....

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Published: October 12, 2022

Riverbend Park Video

Take a mini desk vacation to Riverbend Park with this video produced by Table Rock Productions....

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Published: October 03, 2022

Riverbend Park in the Fall

Visiting Riverbend Park this fall? Check out these pro tips from longtime ranger Lori Owenby....

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Published: September 28, 2022

St. Stephens Park Video

Take a mini desk vacation to St. Stephens Park with this video produced by Table Rock Productions....

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Published: September 15, 2022

Celebrate TACO Week at County Parks

The Catawba County Park System will celebrate Take a Child Outside (TACO) week, which takes place September 23-30, with a series of events for families and kids....

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Published: September 12, 2022

Bakers Mountain Park Video

Take a mini desk vacation to Bakers Mountain Park with this video produced by Table Rock Productions....

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Published: September 09, 2022

Hummingbird Banding at Riverbend Park

During the first two weeks of August for the past 15 years, Catawba County’s Riverbend Park has hosted its Hummingbird Banding demonstration for the public. This year...

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Published: August 22, 2022

Mountain Creek Park: The Reviews Are In…

In the short time since its June 2022 opening, Catawba County’s newest outdoor destination, Mountain Creek Park, has already been getting rave reviews....

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Published: June 27, 2022

Riverbend Park: Inspiring Your Inner Explorer

Riverbend Park’s shoreline stretches along the Upper Catawba River Trail, an 82-mile blueway that runs from Lake James to Lake Lookout Shoals on the eastern edge...

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Published: June 18, 2022

Welcome to Mountain Creek Park

Mountain Creek Park, the Catawba County Park System’s newest outdoor destination, officially opened to the public on June 18th, 2022....

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Published: June 01, 2022

Bakers Mountain: Then and Now

Celebrate the 20th anniversary of Bakers Mountain Park by traveling back in time to look at the history of the mountain as a well-known local destination for centuries....

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Published: May 25, 2022

County Parks Artwork Unveiled

Three CVCC students – Stephanie Huitron, Gideon Hart and Maddie Barrymore – created a four-piece artwork series representing the Catawba County Park System...

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Published: May 17, 2022

Visitor Profile: Michelle Kelly

Meet Michelle Kelly, who exercises her two dogs, Charlie and Azul, at St. Stephens Dog Park every day, rain or shine....

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Published: May 13, 2022

Meet Our Rangers: Dwayne Martin

Learn about what it's like to be a ranger at Riverbend Park through the eyes of Superintendent Dwayne Martin....

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Published: May 11, 2022

Visitor Profile: Tom Abernathy

Come with us as we hike with Tom Abernathy at Bakers Mountain Park, a spot he's been visiting since childhood....

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Published: May 09, 2022

Visitor Profile: Garrick Lane

Watch television/video producer Garrick Lane share his passion for Catawba County Parks in the best way he knows how: by video....

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Published: May 06, 2022

Meet Our Rangers: Tabitha Hope

Meet Tabitha Hope, who has been wrangling pups at St. Stephens Park for the past ten years......

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Published: May 04, 2022

Visitor Profile: Christina McNally

Get to know Christina McNally, whose passion for the outdoors since childhood led her to instill the same in her kids by playing in the mud at Riverbend Park......

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Published: May 02, 2022

Meet Our Rangers: John Sutton

Learn more about Bakers Mountain Superintendent John Sutton, who has worked at Bakers Mountain Park for the past 20 years....

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