Catawba County News
Catawba County 101
Published: February 27, 2026
MAKING. LIVING. BETTER: Park Stewardship Event Series
On any given day, Catawba County’s four parks — Bakers Mountain Park, Mountain Creek Park, Riverbend Park, and St. Stephens Park — offer quiet trails, scenic views, and space to slow down and reconnect with nature. Behind the scenes, the Catawba County Parks Department works 362 days a year to care for these special places, guided by a mission to preserve the County’s unique and diverse natural heritage through education and conservation while providing quality opportunities for passive recreation and wellness.
That mission comes to life through community offerings such as guided hikes and educational programs, and more recently through hands-on stewardship opportunities focused on environmental revitalization and scenic landscape enhancement, offered through a series of Park Clean Up Days.
What is the purpose of the event series?
The Park Clean Up Days encourage sustainable outdoor recreation and environmental stewardship through community collaboration. A joint initiative between Catawba County Parks, Visit Hickory NC, Outdoor NC, Catawba County Library System, and Keep Catawba County Beautiful, with support from local sponsors, the events invite residents to take an active role in caring for the parks they love.
How is that mission carried out, and who does it serve?
The first two events in the series were held last fall as environmental enhancement projects focused on restoring and improving natural areas. In September, volunteers at Riverbend Park removed more than 1,500 pounds of debris that naturally accumulates along riverbanks, shorelines and around Oxford Dam following seasonal flooding, helping protect wildlife, preserve natural areas, and improve conditions for visitors and downstream communities. In October, efforts at Bakers Mountain Park centered on scenic landscape improvements near the park entrance and cleanup of a former mid-20th-century dump site located in an area of the park not open to the public, removing roughly 220 pounds of debris, primarily broken glass. Together, these events served both the parks and the community, demonstrating how collective effort can create immediate, meaningful impact.
Where and how can the public get involved next?
The park stewardship days continue this spring with volunteer events scheduled for April 18 at Mountain Creek Park and May 16 at St. Stephens Park. Open to the public, these events offer a hands-on way for individuals, families, teams, and organizations to support conservation while enjoying time outdoors. Event details will be shared closer to each date — follow @catawbacountyparksnc on Facebook and @catawbacountyparks on Instagram for updates.