Pilot Mountain State Park's Bean Shoals set to reopen in the spring
Crews install a bottomless culvert bridge on Horne Creek, ensuring safe passage for both vehicles and wildlife while protecting the stream’s natural flow. Photograph by North State Environmental provided courtesy of Resource Institute.
A scenic section of Pilot Mountain State Park, long closed due to access issues, is slated to reopen to the public next year.
Beyond the iconic geologic knob of Pilot Mountain sits nearby Bean Shoals, which provides access to the Yadkin River. But there are challenges getting there. The biggest among them is the need to cross Horne Creek, which can be dangerous, especially during periods of high water. Major erosion issues and diminishing water quality ultimately forced its closure in 2020.
The Bean Shoals Restoration Project seeks to change that by installing culvert bridges on the creek, improving access and aquatic passage, adding an Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant shelter and more.
Resource Institute Education and Communications Manager Paula Hinkle says this project goes far beyond addressing stream crossings.
"Stream restoration also provides a very important benefit to the community of improved or enhanced recreational opportunities," says Hinkle. "In this instance it was access to the park, but it often provides increased fishing, boating, swimming, other community and public health benefits."
The effort is a collaboration between Resource Institute, Jennings Environmental, North State Environmental, Pilot Mountain State Park and the state of North Carolina which provided $4 million in funding to Surry County.
Access to Bean Shoals is slated to reopen to the public in the spring of 2025.
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