New River Conservancy, Ashe County and The Conservation Fund are proud to commemorate the transfer of the Deep Ford River Access Park property to Ashe County, marking an important milestone in our shared effort to create the first formal public access to the North Fork of the New River near Lansing, North Carolina.
The approximately 3-acre property, acquired through a partnership between The Conservation Fund and the New River Conservancy, an accredited land trust that has developed two additional river access projects with the State Park system and Ashe County, was transferred to Ashe County to be preserved and operated as a permanent public park on August 14, 2026. This partnership reflects a shared commitment to protecting the North Fork of the New River while creating meaningful recreational opportunities for residents and visitors.
A joint groundbreaking ceremony was held at the property in October 2025, with NC Governor Josh Stein in attendance. At the groundbreaking Governor Stein said “This (access point) will open the river to people who have never experienced it before.” Since that time, Ashe County staff, The Conservation Fund, and the New River Conservancy have continued working together to build upon the initial property acquisition and leverage the investment to secure additional funding for the design and construction of the park.
The project has received support through the Great Trails State grant program, along with philanthropic contributions from hundreds of Ashe County residents. Adam Stumb, County Manager at Ashe County, said“Together, we are proud to take this next step toward creating a lasting public asset along the North Fork of the New River, one that will serve residents and visitors, support the region’s outdoor recreation economy, and protect this special place for generations to come.”
The transfer of the property to Ashe County represents more than a change in ownership. It is a commitment to long-term public access, conservation, recreation, and economic vitality. The partners recognize the importance of the North Fork to Ashe County and the region, particularly as communities continue to recover from the impacts of Hurricane Helene. Guenevere Abernathy, NC state director for The Conservation Fund, remarked “This access point is a timely reminder that conservation and economic development go hand-in-hand in Western North Carolina and Ashe County.”
Ashe County will assume ownership and long-term stewardship of the property, while The Conservation Fund and the New River Conservancy will continue working alongside the County on the planning, design, funding, and construction of Deep Ford River Access Park and future access points on the North Fork of the New River. Andrew Downs, Executive Director of the New River Conservancy, says “This river access will make an outstanding resource for people in Lansing and greater Ashe County. We are hopeful the Deep Ford Road access will be the first in a series of future canoe and kayaker launch points.”
(L-R) Adam Stumb, County Manager at Ashe County, Todd McNeill, Chair of the the Ashe County Commission, Guenevere Abernathy, NC state director for The Conservation Fund, and Andrew Downs, Executive Director of the New River Conservancy on the banks of the New River at the transfer of the Deep Ford River Access Park property to Ashe County. Photo Nick Farmerie.