State Grant Will Fund Development Of County Park On Belews Lake

Forsyth County officials have announced that a new park will be developed on Belews Lake, thanks to funding from a state grant. 

The grant will allow Forsyth County to buy over 200 acres from Duke Energy Corp. at a cost of $640,000. The Winston-Salem Journal reports the money will come from the state's Clean Water Management Trust Fund.

Assistant County Manager Damon Sanders-Pratt told county commissioners on Thursday that there are no environmental issues, alleviating concerns about residue from a coal ash basin at Duke Energy's Belews Creek Steam Station in neighboring Stokes County.

In response to public concerns about an influx of more people, cars, and boats in the area, Sanders-Pratt said the park will be well-staffed, cleaned, and maintained.

County Manager Dudley Watts welcomed the news, saying it would be the “first publicly accessible park on Belews Lake.”

A timeline for development of the area has not been announced.