THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, October 22, 1996 TAG: 9610220245
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY PAUL SOUTH, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NAGS HEAD LENGTH: 89 lines
For some, Jockey's Ridge State Park represents the meeting of all the elements - wind, water and sand - that forged the fragile barrier islands of the Outer Banks.
Others see the highest active sand dune on the Atlantic Seaboard as a treasure trove of natural wonder, featuring flora and fauna unique to coastal North Carolina.
And still others - hang gliders and kite fliers in particular - see the massive sand hill as just plain fun.
With all those perspectives in mind, an organization dedicated to preserving the breathtaking landmark hopes to raise $25,000 to add to money in hand to tell the story of Jockey's Ridge through a wide range of exhibits.
The Friends of Jockey's Ridge wants to display the exhibits in the $1.2 million visitors' center currently under construction. Last year, more than 875,000 visitors visited the park.
The visitors' center will include a 75- to 90-seat auditorium and a weather station to provide accurate readings of wind and precipitation.
``As opposed to the weather station in Buxton or the Corps of Engineers research pier in Duck, this will be not only for research but for public knowledge as well,'' said Peggy Birkemeier, founder and president of Friends of Jockey's Ridge.
``We are focusing on two phases,'' Birkemeier said. ``We want to raise $100,000 or more for the cost of the exhibits and the design and construction of the exhibits. We're not going to be driving the nails, but we'll be working with a designer to tell the story of Jockey's Ridge in a way that it's never been told before.''
The group has already received part of the funding through a $50,000 grant from the Dare County Tourist Bureau, and has raised an additional $25,000 through the sale of T-shirts and concessions at the park, and from corporate support. They need an additional $25,000.
``We're real excited,'' said Brant Murray, a member of the organization's board of directors who added that for many of the visitors, Jockey's Ridge is more than just another attraction.
``I remember growing up about an hour away from here, and coming to the Outer Banks each summer,'' the Hertford native said. ``We would always spend a day of our week's vacation at the ridge. But for many of the people who come from out-of-state, Jockey's Ridge represents the first impression they have of North Carolina.''
The exhibits will also include an area spotlighting other North Carolina parks and attractions. Jockey's Ridge is one of two parks in the state located within the corporate limits of a town, and is part of a trio of public and private lands that makes up one of North Carolina's largest ecosystems: Jockey's Ridge, Run Hill and Nags Head Woods.
George Barnes, superintendent at Jockey's Ridge, said that the park's attendance has averaged a 10 percent annual increase. ``People are going to come to Jockey's Ridge regardless,'' Barnes said. ``This will make the park more accessible to the visitors we have. We'll be able to reach more people with our story.''
The auditorium, when completed, will be a boon for educators, who bring thousands of students to the picturesque park. Last year, the park offered some 875 educational programs.
``Just last week, we had 50 buses here,'' Barnes said. ``We had to talk to them on the buses. With the new auditorium, we'll be able to show a slide presentation or a film.''
That experience, Murray said, will hopefully create environmental awareness for future generations.
``What a lot of local people don't realize is that all the third-grade classes that come through our programs can possibly make a difference 25 to 30 years down the road. We can teach people to take care of the natural world we live in,'' Murray said.
``The most special thing to me is that young and old can walk up to the top and run on the tops of those dunes, and for one minute, no matter your age, you can feel like a kid again.''
Birkemeier agreed, saying, ``Jockey's Ridge is always changing. The dune is different every day. The sunsets are different. It's a huge symbol of all the forces that created this place where we live, and a reminder of how fragile it is.'' ILLUSTRATION: Sharing a natural wonder
DREW C. WILSON
The Virginian-Pilot
The Friends of Jockey's Ridge want to install exhibits about the
giant sand dune in the new $1.2 million visitors' center.
JOCKEY'S RIDGE
Jockey's Ridge has been a tourist attraction since 1851 and a state
park since 1975. The 410-acre hill is a mile long, up to 4,000 feet
wide and 85 to 110 feet above sea level. It is the largest
``medano,'' or active sand dune, on the East Coast.
For more information on The Friends of Jockey's Ridge or its
fund-raising effort, call 441-7132. by CNB