Stories

Spring Into Action

Published: March 01, 2023

This article, written in partnership with the Hickory Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau for the 2023 North Carolina Year of the Trail March theme of "Spring Into Action," was originally published on the Visit Hickory Metro blog.

For many people, spring is a time to clean out, refresh and prepare for the upcoming year. The park system is no different. 

You are a vital part of keeping our parks in pristine condition for years to come. Some great ways to do that are to follow the guidelines of park officials, know the 7 Principles of Leave No Trace, and take action in planned clean-up events. As we draw closer to spring, we encourage you to "Spring Into Action" to help preserve and protect our Catawba County Parks! 

We asked the rangers of the Catawba County Park System the following question: “How can we “Spring Into Action” to preserve our unique and diverse natural heritage?” and this is what they said:

• “Patrons can help preserve the unique and diverse natural heritage at our parks by not removing plants or wildlife. They can also help by putting the trash into the proper receptacles and keeping our trails and waterways litter-free. Also, it is important to observe wildlife from a distance so as not to disturb them.” – Dwayne Martin, Park Superintendent, Riverbend and St Stephens Parks.
• “Our goal here at Mountain Creek is to catalog and educate our patrons about the unique flora and fauna of the area. Our location on Lake Norman in the Foothills region gives us the distinctive advantage of having species that the other parks may not have. Our goal is to get kids out into the park with hands-on activities to teach them how to respect and appreciate all of nature.” – Lori Owenby, Park Superintendent, Mountain Creek Park
• “We as individuals can assist in preserving our natural resources by recycling more and using non-disposable products that can be reused like Camelbacks, Nalgene bottles, or canteens for water on the trails. We should also take time to plant trees and wildflowers to provide sustenance and habitat for wildlife as well as provide opportunities for our pollinator species. Our natural resources can benefit exponentially by having volunteers participate in litter sweeps and habitat restoration projects. Also, most importantly, one should never remove a natural resource from areas that are delegated to be preservation areas. Leave only your footprints.” – John Sutton, Park Superintendent, Bakers Mountain Park

We welcome you to explore our outdoor spaces while making it your nature to protect them. While exploring, please remember the seven principles of Leave No Trace and take care of our trails. Explore responsibly! 

1.    1.  Plan ahead and prepare.
2.    2.  Travel and camp on durable surfaces.
3.    3.  Dispose of waste properly.
4.    4.  Leave what you find.
5.    5.  Be careful with fire.
6.    6.  Respect wildlife.
7.    7.  Be considerate of other visitors.

"Spring Into Action" at our Invasive Species Removal Workday! Join us for a couple of hours on Saturday, March 25th, 2023 at 10am for invasive plant removal at Mountain Creek Park. Areas will be pre-marked and species to be removed will be reviewed before we head out. Please come dressed to work outside and bring gloves and pruners to make the work easier. No sign-up is required beforehand, but feel free to call the park office at 828-465-9645 with any questions.