"The Catawba County Board of Commissioners, recognizing the importance of preserving our natural heritage and after hearing from citizens living outside our cities and towns who said they wanted parks closer to their homes, set aside funds to be used to match available grant funds for park development," said Michael Talbert, Catawba County's Director of Facilities. "We were able to secure a grant from the North Carolina Parks and Recreation Trust Fund for $165,950 which covered half the costs of constructing the new park. The other half came from the funds set aside in 1999. At 1780 feet, Bakers Mountain is the highest natural elevation in our county. We have created a variety of trails, a large picnic area, an observation deck and other features on 189.5 acres of County-owned land, which offer our residents a spectacular view of the natural beauty of the western North Carolina foothills."

"We held public meetings with citizens as far back as 1998 concerning the possibility of building a park on Bakers Mountain," Talbert said. "We held two more meetings in the Mountain View community in 2000 and 2001 to see if citizens there would be interested in a park on Bakers Mountain and what kinds of features they would like to see in the park. We received enthusiastic support for the park and some good ideas for features. We've designed several different kinds of trails, so those who just want to enjoy a casual walk on the mountain side may do so and others who hike for exercise and enjoy a more difficult challenge will have that option."

"We've had lots of positive feedback from people in the southwestern part of Catawba County about the new Bakers Mountain Park and more than 800 people joined us for the park's opening day on June 1.," said Steve Ikerd, Chair of the Catawba County Board of Commissioners. "Bakers Mountain is a beautiful setting for the hiking trails and picnic tables that have been placed there and we especially appreciate that the designers of the park left the historic older home sites and natural features of the area undisturbed. The Board of Commissioners and I thank Facilities Director Michael Talbert, Parks Supervisor Blair Rayfield, and our Parks Staff for all their hard work to get the park ready for opening."