News Release »
| Beverly Eaves Perdue, Governor | Dee Freeman, Secretary |
| N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources |  |
| Release: Immediate | Contact: Charlie Peek | |
| Date: 2010-07-07 | Phone: (919) 715-8709 |
Raven Rock State Park to Dedicate New Visitor Center
RALEIGH -- A new 7,190-square-foot visitor center and related facilities at Raven Rock State Park in Harnett County, which was designed to national green building standards, will be formally dedicated July 17 by the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation.
The 10 a.m. ceremony is open to the public and will celebrate an important milestone in the history of the state park.
Similar to visitor centers built at 19 state parks and state recreation areas since 1994, the facility at Raven Rock offers a unique design reflecting the park’s character. The project also includes a picnic shelter, improvements to the picnic grounds, an accessible nature trail, a paved entrance road to the park and paved parking areas with space for 139 vehicles. The project represents an investment of $4.3 million from the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund, the principal funding source for state park capital projects and land acquisition.
“Nearly 200,000 visitors enjoy this growing state park each year, and this facility will add to their experience,” said Lewis Ledford, director of the division. “Beyond being a focal point for the park and a gathering place for visitors, the center will be a place to learn about the state park and its natural resources. Like all our visitor centers, it offers an integrated exhibit hall, a teaching auditorium and classrooms.”
Museum-quality exhibits in the visitor center explore the natural history and the unique geologic events that resulted in the Raven Rock landscape, along with the history of Cape Fear River navigation and the river’s importance to local culture and commerce. Interactive exhibits invite visitors to consider “Nature Holding the Upper Hand” in efforts to control and profit from such a large river.
The state parks system has increased its commitment to sustainability by seeking certification for all large projects by the national Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program of the U.S. Green Building Council. Features at the Raven Rock State Park visitor center that will contribute to certification include a geothermal heat pump, solar hot water heating and low-flow water fixtures, the use of natural lighting along with low-energy lighting fixtures and solar lighting in the parking area, recycled building materials and natural landscaping.
The structure was designed by LS3P Associates Ltd. of Raleigh, and general contractor was Harrod and Associates Constructors Inc. of Raleigh. The exhibits were designed by Riggs Ward Design of Richmond, Va., and constructed by Studio Design Inc. of Charlotte.
Raven Rock State Park was established in 1969 and now encompasses 4,694 acres.
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