Top photo by K. Radewicz: New visitor center at Eno River State Park
The new visitor center at Eno River State Park is now open, after a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house on August 25, 2023. Governor Roy Cooper, North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Deputy Secretary Jeff Michael, and North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation Director Brian Strong spoke at the event and led the ribbon cutting, along with Superintendent Kim Radewicz and Jessica Sheffield, executive director of the Eno River Association. The ceremony also capped off a weeklong 50th-anniversary celebration of the creation of the state park.
Education is the focal point of the visitor center, with many exhibits scattered throughout, including on the covered porch deck. Engaging historical displays cover Indigenous life, colonial history, river mills, and the fight to preserve the Eno River Valley. On August 22, 1973, the State of North Carolina acquired the first parcel of land for Eno River State Park, after several years of advocacy by Margaret Nygard and the Association for the Preservation of the Eno River Valley (now the Eno River Association) to save the river from development.
Exhibits also showcase native birds, animals, and plants of the beautiful riverine environment. The visitor center itself is a great spot to appreciate the local flora and fauna, as it sits just below the crest of a hill, overlooking the mighty Eno. The new building is located near the trailhead for Eno Trace, Cox Mountain, and Fanny's Ford trails.
"The things we hear from people is how much they love that they come here, and you wouldn't know that you are located in one of the fast-growing metropolitan areas in this part of North Carolina," Radewicz told WUNC. "When you step out on our trails, and you follow the path of the river, all of those sounds fade away, and you're able to find this peace."
The old park office, which sits near the entrance of Fews Ford Access, will continue to be used by park staff as a private office and storage space. Restrooms remain open and available there for those looking to hike the other trails at Fews Ford.
The new visitor center building is fully accessible and includes retail and office spaces, as well as electric vehicle chargers in the parking area. There is also a state-of-the-art classroom, complete with a MicroEye microscope that was gifted by the Friends of State Parks and the Eno River Association, that allows park staff to conduct indoor interpretive and education programs. The classroom is also reservable by the public and local organizations for a nominal fee.
Funded by the Connect NC Bond, the $3.8-million project began construction in July 2021 and also added a maintenance building and expanded parking areas for the more than 1 million visitors that visit the park annually. The design firm was In Situ Studio in Raleigh, and Engineered Construction Company in Raleigh was the contractor.
The visitor center is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with extended hours on Fridays during peak season. Please check the park's homepage for information prior to your visit.