Pearson’s Falls Restoration Planning Underway. 11/19/24
The Tryon Garden Club Board of Directors has established a Restoration Team to evaluate the impact of Hurricane Helene on Pearson’s Fall and Glen and develop options for the restoration and reopening of the Preserve.
The trail system suffered severe damage, but the Falls continues as spectacular as ever and Colt Creek has established a new path. The facilities, including the Picnic Shelter and Caretakers Cottage suffered minimal damage while other permanent facilities were left untouched.
The Restoration Team has been engaging forestry and trail experts, general contractors, tree removal experts and restoration companies as well as other experts in their fields as needed to consult with the cleanup and rebuilding process. The scope of work they are tackling includes tree and debris removal from the trails and Colt Creek; inspection and repair of stonework and fencing; replacement of picnic tables and benches; and trail repair and replacement along with footpath improvements.
Careful consideration is being given to preserve and protect this very special botanical preserve, and all necessary attention is being given by the Team and the Club to limit the impact of this restoration on the native foliage as well as the flow of the creek and falls.
The Tryon Garden Club, which is a 501(c)3 established to protect Pearson’s Falls and educate the community about the natural world, is committed to continuing that mission and will, during the restoration process, provide the community with regular updates about the ongoing process. In addition to here, updates will also be available online at pearsonsfalls.org.
Pearson’s Falls will remain closed to all visitors during the restoration period for the protection of the preserve and the safety of our team, employees and contractors. If you have questions or comments, please contact the club at pearsonsfallsinfo@gmail.com. Any contributions you are moved to make to this restoration effort will be much appreciated and may be made by visiting pearsonsfalls.org or by mail to the club at PO Box 245, Tryon, NC 28782.
Pearson’s Falls and Glen sustains severe damage due to Helene
After assessing storm damage, the Tryon Garden Club says that Pearson’s Falls and Glen were not spared Hurricane Helene’s fury.
Pearson’s Falls and Glen, a botanical preserve on Highway 176 between Tryon and Saluda, is a unique habitat along Colt Creek protected by steep sides of the river cove forest up to the 90-foot upper waterfall. The storm has forced a temporary closure of the preserve, and there is no public access.
We are grateful for the rescue teams and road crews that helped people along Pearson’s Falls Road after the storm. Our Operations Director, Andy Ruff and his wife, were able to walk out to safety with the help of a team on Monday, September 30. The road is now cleared and open to local traffic, and Andy and his wife Melissa moved back into their home at Pearson’s Falls on October 21.”
The good news is that the buildings near the entrance and parking areas are not damaged. The Webster Way trail is mostly intact and is repairable up to the lower picnic area. However, the main trail to the falls is severely damaged and impassable in some areas from the lower picnic area, past Lightner’s Ledge, over the stone Chase Bridge, and up to the upper falls.
The garden club board has established a restoration team led by Vice-President John James to assess the damage and repairs needed. Key members of the team include Andy Ruff, Pearson’s Falls Education Chair Rae Ann Wessel, and former Pearson’s Falls Chair Bob Tobey. We will continue to update the public via various media channels.
Our team is investigating multiple courses of action, speaking with experts, and contacting people with technical knowledge of cleaning up and repairing severe storm damage. We plan to take time, consult professionals, and develop a plan of action, knowing it is a valuable botanical preserve and must be protected. Inspections are already in progress.
Once restoration cost estimates are established, a fundraising committee will be established.
Fortunately, due to prudent planning, the Tryon Garden Club has an operations fund that will carry us for a year.
Pearson’s Falls and Glen is a 501(c)(3) organization owned and operated by the Tryon Garden Club since 1931. For more information, contact pearsonfallsinfo@gmail.com.