News Release »
| Beverly Eaves Perdue, Governor | Dee Freeman, Secretary |
| N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources |  |
| Release: Immediate | Contact: Charlie Peek | |
| Date: 2009-09-21 | Phone: (919) 715-8709 |
Medoc Mountain State Park Introduces Bridle Trail System
RALEIGH -- Medoc Mountain State Park in Halifax County will formally introduce its new bridle trail system during a public reception Oct. 3 at 2 p.m., according to the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation.
The 11-mile network of bridle trails was built by volunteers and park staff since 2007 when the park added about 1,200 acres as part of the state’s acquisition of lands from International Paper Corp. More than three dozen volunteers, including the Cowboys for Christ chapter based in Nash County, contributed hundreds of man-hours of labor, and the project was completed in July.
“In these times of tight budgets, improvements to our state parks, such as this bridle trail system, are so often the product of valuable partnerships,” said Lewis Ledford, director of the division. “The volunteer equestrians, The Nature Conservancy, which helped us secure the property and the community at large all deserve credit for a lasting contribution to recreation in the region.”
The bridle trailhead is located off Medoc Mountain Road (S.R. 1002) just west of the Little Fishing Creek bridge and includes a trailer parking area of nearly two acres, a shelter, a well-water facility for horses, picnic area and a large outdoor grill. Improvements to the trailhead were funded by the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund.
Equestrians visiting the park are required to carry current Coggins papers and are permitted only on marked bridle trails. Riders are not required to stop at the park office, but may access the trails directly during normal operating hours beginning at 8 a.m.
The Halifax County Tourism Authority is co-hosting the reception. The event will offer the public a chance to ask additional questions of park staff and an opportunity to join the park’s bridle volunteer group.
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