Lake Norman State Park


The creation of Lake Norman, located near Charlotte, North Carolina, began in September 1959 with the detonation of a single charge of dynamite to mark the start of construction on the Cowans Ford Dam and the lake that would follow. The purpose of the lake was to provide water and electricity, with the total cost to Duke Power reaching $62 million—equivalent to approximately $500 million today. As farmlands flooded, a 32,500-acre lake was formed, complete with 520 miles of shoreline.

Although most of Lake Norman's shoreline is private property, Lake Norman State Park (formerly Duke Power State Park) offers 1,942 acres of public land, located 39 miles north of Charlotte. The park is beautiful, offering miles of hiking trails, including some that run along the shoreline. Visitors can enjoy a swimming beach, boat ramp, community building, nature center, and camping facilities. The park is meticulously maintained and provides modern amenities for campers and visitors. The educational center, located in the Visitors Center and gift shop area, is both informative and welcoming, staffed by knowledgeable and friendly park personnel and volunteers. Lake Norman State Park is truly a place to return to for camping and hiking with family and friends.

(https://www.charlottemagazine.com/a-history-of-lake-norman/ and https://www.ncparks.gov/park-features/lake-norman-state-park)

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Is a zoo a park?

Image
The question is whether a zoo can be considered a park. The term "zoo" is short for zoological park. According to National Geographic , a zoo is a place where animals live in captivity. Zoos typically focus on exhibiting a variety of species for educational and conservation purposes. Zoos have been around since 1793, when the first modern zoo opened in Paris, France. However, it wasn't until 1874 that the first zoo opened in the United States in Philadelphia.   Parks are public green areas used for outdoor recreation, linear trails, and corridors with recreational amenities or open spaces providing wildlife habitat and preserving scenic assets. Parks also play a role in preserving natural habitats, promoting environmental awareness, and providing cultural and recreational activities. Boston Common , established in 1634, is called the first public park. It was not until the mid-1800s that parks were planned in the United States. Designed by visionaries Frederick Law Olms...
Read more

Coneflower

Image
It's August in Virginia, and the coneflowers are blooming! They make me jubilant enough to sketch a fun picture and head to our family's favorite ice cream parlor. Upon returning home, I began researching a summer blog post about the coneflower, Echinacea purpurea. A member of the daisy family would make this flower a friendly addition to sunny gardens. It likes to have 6 hours or more of sun but may survive along the sunny edge of a gently wooded garden. These flowers add color and texture to a border or as an accent within the garden. These hardy perennials are drought-resistant and withstand heat and humidity. It is easy to grow and may be divided in fall or spring. This plant has beauty and magic. The coneflower has medicinal properties, cultural significance, and spiritual symbolism. Some refer to the Coneflower as America’s favorite wildflower. The American Indians considered the Coneflower a sacred plant because of its healing powers. It is symbolic of strength and healt...
Read more

Go Native

Image
         Go native        Support eco-services                  T rees shade         Canopy and understory                  Leaves cleanse         Breathe deep         Soils nourish         N atural nutrients                  Waters pure         Gulp - swallow                  Blooms galore        S upport pollinators                  Birds & wildlife flourish         Year-round           Spring blooms         S ummer shade         Fall color  ...
Read more