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By Brian O’Shea, Plateau Daily News
A small team of nature lovers visited Ravenel Park on Jan. 22 to pick up trash along the trail that leads to Sunset and Sunrise rocks.
The small team who spent Jan. 22 picking up trash at Ravenel Park. From left are Hope Corbin, Andrew Renfro, and Patty Bennett-Uffelman.
“We originally organized a trash cleanup day at Ravenel Park to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day, which is the only federal holiday designated as a National Day of Service to encourage all Americans to volunteer to improve their communities,” said Hope Corbin, HCLT Education and Outreach Coordinator. “We wanted to give our community an opportunity to serve in celebration with us!”
Volunteers walk along Sunset Rock picking up trash on Jan. 22.
Throughout the day, Corbin said the team gathered alcohol cans and bottles, plastic water and soda bottles in the woods along the trail, dog poop bags, and micro-trash such as glass bottles smashed on the rock of Sunset Rock, and cigarette butts.
Vegetation grows around a piece of glass embedded into the ground.
“HCLT would like to remind hikers that Ravenel Park, along with all of HCLT parks, are pack-it-in, pack-it-out parks,” said Corbin. “Please practice Leave No Trace Principles not only at HCLT properties, but in any natural area you choose to recreate in. Trash can be extremely detrimental to the environment, and we need to work together to keep our lands clean and beautiful.”
HCLT manages the conservation of several properties, but Ravenel Park is one of the most popular in the area.
“We chose Ravenel Park as our clean up destination because it is our most used and beloved park, a true staple in the Highlands community, and the most visible land ambassador for HCLT, for both locals and tourists alike,” said Corbin.
She added that Ravenel Park is one of the most recognizable trails in Highlands, due to its accessibility, proximity to Main Street, and breathtaking views.
Reaching the summit of Sunset Rock.
The Ravenel Park property was donated by the Ravenel children in honor is their parents, Captain and Margaretta Ravenel, in 1914. This property has been conserved by HCLT for 110 years.
If you’ve never been to Ravenel Park, it’s worth a visit.
The entrance to Ravenel Park is just off of Main Street.
There are two viewsheds at Ravenel Park, Sunset Rock and Sunrise Rock.
The trail to the viewsheds is a .5 mile hike up gravel road. Sunrise Rock, to the left, is ideal for a morning walk. Sunset Rock, to the right, is an ideal choice for a late afternoon stroll.
Pictured below is Ravenel Park during fall.
Beautiful sunsets can be seen over the town, while you sit in a natural amphitheater on slabs of granite.
Corbin said Ravenel Park is home to a wide variety of unique plants, including umbrella magnolia trees, pink lady slippers, painted trillium, blueberries, wintergreen, pitch pine, and Oconee bells.
HCLT’s next cleanup day is scheduled on Feb. 13 at Brushy Face Preserve along the Highway 28 corridor. All workdays include lunch.
For more information or to sign up, please email Stephanie Contreras at stephanie@hcltnc.org.
Learn more at Ravenel Park and the Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust HERE.
Pictured at the top of the article are Andrew Renfro and Hope Corbin digging out glass embedded into the vegetation of Sunset Rock.