Bethel Park creek bank project

August 29, 2011

The City of Morganton Parks and Recreation Department is working to make the Hunting Creek bank area at Bethel Park safer and more manageable. In the next few months, the department has plans to plant ground cover, trees and wildflowers along the creek bank.

"Our number one priority is that City parks be safe and clean for visitors," said Parks and Recreation Director Gary Leonhardt. "We recently cut back the vegetation along the creek in Bethel to provide a line of vision through the park and create a safer play space along the creek banks."

This fall, workers will plant ground cover and native trees and along the bank to help stabilize Hunting Creek. Trees with a high canopy will create better line of sight into Bethel Park from the parking areas and allow for seasonal trimming. Being able to clearly see in and out of the park from the parking area makes Bethel Park much safer, according to Public Safety officers who patrol the parks.

"We also plan to work with park neighbors and users who have showed a willingness to provide plants and ideas for the project," Leonhardt said. "Local Scout groups and youth groups have offered to help with the efforts as community projects for their organizations, and Linda Wall has offered to donate plants from the section of Hunting Creek that runs on her property, which is across the street from Bethel."

Leonhardt said the department will also add more grasses and wildflowers to the area in late winter and early spring.

"I believe this project will be a definite improvement to Bethel Park, and I'm sure our park users will enjoy the upgrades," Leonhardt said.

Anyone who would like to help with the project can call the Morganton Parks and Recreation Department at (828) 438-5350, or visit the park offices at the Collett Street Recreation Center.