NC drivers raise half-million dollars for Blue Ridge Parkway
ASHEVILLE — North Carolina drivers raised the largest amount of money to enhance the Blue Ridge Parkway in over a decade by purchasing or renewing the parkway’s bright yellow and green specialty license plates in 2023.
Through the tag program, drivers raised over $574,000 in 2023 for the nonprofit Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation, the primary fundraising partner for the parkway, which helps support initiatives and improvement projects along the 469-mile scenic route.
“We are incredibly grateful to receive support for the parkway from so many North Carolina drivers,” Carolyn Ward, CEO of the foundation, said in a March 14 news release.
“Purchasing the tag is an easy way to help the national park and also show your love for this amazing place to play and explore in your own backyard.”
Specialty plates cost $30, of which $20 helps fund improvements along the parkway, including trail, campground and picnic area repairs. Proceeds also help with funding projects such as wildlife studies, historic preservation and educational programs, the release said.
The parkway tag is available for cars and motorcycles, and specialty plates can be purchased for $60, of which $20 goes to the foundation. To learn more, visit GetThePlate.org or request the plate at an N.C. tag office.
Virginia drivers can also support the parkway with a specialty tag now available online through the commonwealth’s DMV. About half the parkway lies in Virginia, where it begins at Shenandoah National Park, and half in North Carolina, passing directly through Asheville and ending at entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
The foundation has provided more than $22 million in support for the national park since 1977, according to the release.
Past parkway projects by the foundation include the addition of restrooms and expanded parking at Graveyard Fields, reconstruction of the viewing platform at the summit of Mount Pisgah, trail improvements at Craggy Flats Bald, construction of a shower house at Price Lake campground, extensive repairs to historic Flat Top Manor at Moses H. Cone Memorial Park, and the rehabilitation and reopening of The Bluffs Restaurant at Doughton Park.
The parkway remains the most visited national park site in the country. Last year the parkway welcomed more than 16.7 million visitors, which is more visitors than Yosemite, Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, and Grand Tetons national parks combined for the same year. That number is about a 6% increase in parkway patrons, up from 15.7 million in 2022, according to the NPS.
Ryley Ober is the Public Safety Reporter for Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Email her at rober@gannett.com and follow her on Twitter @ryleyober