Blue Ridge Parkway Opens New Communications Center

On March 22nd, Blue Ridge Parkway celebrated the completion of its new Radio System Communications Center. The opening ceremony was co-hosted by the parkway and the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation.

The center, which features state of the art law enforcement and emergency communication capabilities, will provide radio communications for the parkway and for Kings Mountain NMP, Mt. Mitchell SP, and the Veterans Administration Police Department.

Construction was made possible by funding from two NPS partners – the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation and National Park Concessions, Inc. The 1,800-square-foot center was constructed using energy efficient, biologically safe and sustainable eco-panels to reduce energy demands and provide a safe environment for communications dispatch staff.

Superintendent Phil Francis described the project as “a superlative example of private sector support for the parkway. Very little federal funding was used in constructing this facility.”


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com