Last Updated on August 26, 2025 2:32 pm
It was a ribbon-cutting celebration a year in the making! Last week, elected officials, town and county representatives, supporters, and friends gathered at the tunnels and bridge at Tweetsie Railroad for the official opening of the underpass and connection of two miles of the Middle Fork Greenway (MFG). The bridge was installed in late July of 2024, but the hurricane and cleanup efforts delayed the project’s completion until now. The section also includes murals by artist Whitney Landwehrmann, funded by an AARP grant through the Watauga Arts Council.
Speakers at the event included Wendy Patoprsty, MFG Director, Leila Jackson, Blue Ridge Conservancy (BRC) Communications Director and Watauga Arts Council board member, Keron Poteat, Watauga County Parks and Recreation Director, Tim Hodges and Emily Greene, Watauga County Commissioners, and Ray Pickett, North Carolina State Representative. Outgoing BRC Executive Director Charlie Brady spoke of the importance of the project and collaborations within the community before introducing new BRC Director David Ray. Special thanks to local musicians, the Geritol Jammers, for providing entertainment for the event.
The Underpass Connector at Tweetsie Railroad was made possible by multiple funding sources and partners, including the Watauga County Tourism Development Authority. Under Wright Tilley’s leadership, the Watauga TDA has provided approximately 25% of the funding for the MFG. The NCDOT Division 11 has been involved in every segment of the trail, working alongside the greenway team to complete construction permitting and safety.
“There is a great deal of momentum right now along the Middle Fork Greenway, with the underpass at Tweetsie now connecting two continuous miles of trail, and Boone Gorge Park under contract for construction,” says MFG Director Wendy Patoprsty. “The MFG team is working diligently to complete multiple segments over the next few years so that the trail will be close to connecting Boone to Blowing Rock. Currently, there are two miles on the ground and 2.5 miles ready for construction, leaving just two miles to be completed to reach that goal.”
The event also served as the check drop-off party for the 2025 “Round Up for the Greenway,” an annual fundraiser for the MFG where local businesses ask patrons to “round up” their purchases to support the Greenway project. All funds raised this year will go toward the development of the future Angler Park. This will include stream restoration, floodplain wetlands, greenway trail, bridges, trailhead parking area, and river access. Phase one is scheduled to begin construction in the Spring of 2026.
App Ski Mtn owners Brad Moretz and Brenda Speckmann are longtime supporters of the Middle Fork Greenway, and generously kicked off this year’s Round Up with a gift of $47,000 from their winter sales. Each dollar raised through the Round Up will match the Great State Trails Program grant to double the local giving impact, and those funds will go toward the development of the future Angler Park. Thanks to the following business partners for their participation in this year’s Round Up, we wouldn’t be where we are today without our local community support.
| Anna Banana's Fine Consignment |
| Appalachian Ski Mtn |
| Arete Engineers |
| Blowing Rock Brewing |
| Bistro Roca |
| Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture |
| The Blowing Rock Attraction |
| Boone Bike and Touring |
| Boone Area Chamber of Commerce |
| Booneshine Brewing Co |
| Cabin Fever |
| Carolina West Wireless |
| Charleston Forge |
| FireLight Book & Candle |
| Fuschia Moss Floral Design |
| Gideon Ridge |
| Go Postal |
| Graystone Lodge |
| Hawksnest Adventures |
| Hellbender Bed and Beverage |
| High Country Regional Visitor Center |
| High Gravity Adventures |
| Highland Hills Motel |
| LaQuinta Inn & Suites |
| Lost Province Brewing Co. |
| Mast General Store |
| Mid Life Trip (The Band) |
| Mystery Hill |
| Optimal Performance Physical Therapy |
| Peabody’s Wine and Beer Merchants |
| Premier Images |
| Rhoddie Bicycle Outfitters |
| Sleep Inn |
| Sofield Property Group |
| Solid Rock Engineering |
| Speckled Trout Outfitters |
| Speckled Trout Restaurant |
| Spice and Tea Exchange |
| Stickboy Kitchen |
| Stickboy Bread Company |
| US Buildings |
| Village Jewelers |
| Westglow Spa & Resort |
| ZAP Endurance |
