Alta/Greenways was commissioned by the State of North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation to prepare a master plan for the 15,000+ acre (study area) Chimney Rock State Park. The State took ownership and operations of the park and needed a master plan to guide future expansion, development and operations of the park. Alta/Greenways prepared an extensive environmental inventory and an analysis of the park’s historic buildings, infrastructure, trails network and related visitor areas. We worked with the merchants association in the Chimney Rock Village and Town of Lake Lure to discuss the economic impact on the Hickory Nut Gorge Region. Our team prepared a master plan that identifies core park development, operations, and areas of park expansion to meet needs of various user groups. Throughout the planning process, we worked with citizens to define needs and desired visitor experience. The final master plan set forth a specific program of action, describing capital improvement projects, needed funding, phasing, staffing, programming and fiscal operations. The final master plan defines a 100-year vision, 25-year master plan and 5-year action plan, and provides a business plan for future park development and operation.
Winner of the 2011 Honor Award from the NC Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects
Download the plan here >
