News

County's newest park pays tribute to 'Chief Bell'

By Lightning Reports, Published: November 28, 2024

SALUDA — A new Henderson County park has opened in Saluda, offering 1.8 miles of walking trails and an observation deck beside a rushing waterfall.

The park is named Bell Park in honor of local summer camp pioneers Frank and Calla Bell, who headed Camp Mondamin and Camp Green Cove. Bell Park continues their legacy by providing opportunities for people to connect with nature.

Bell Park forms a key link in an expansive corridor of natural habitat. The 69-acre park extends from the High Bridge near Lake Summit, following the banks of the Green River, until it reaches the 14,000-acre Green River Game Lands. Conserving Carolina acquired the land in 2015 and then worked with Henderson County to make it a public park.

“At a time when many trails are closed after Helene, we’re glad to announce that there are now new trails to explore in Bell Park,” says Conserving Carolina’s Kieran Roe. “This is a part of the county where there aren’t as many places to get out in the woods, so we see Bell Park as a valuable addition to our local parks and trail systems. It’s a place where people can go for a run, walk their dogs, or enjoy some peaceful time sitting by a waterfall.”

“We are excited to partner with Conserving Carolina and add the Bell Park Trail to our list of great hiking trails in Henderson County," county Parks and Recreation Director Bruce Gilliam said. "The Bell family has played an important role in our community, and we are honored to open this new park here in Saluda. A lot of hard work has gone into the design and build of this beautiful parkland for our community to enjoy for many years to come.”

Bell Park is located in Saluda on Spartanburg Highway (U.S. 176) just south of the bridge over the Green River Gorge. There is a small parking area on the north side of the road.

From the parking area, a short walk and several flights of stairs lead to an observation deck with a bench next to the waterfall. The park also offers 1.8 miles of rolling, forested trails that are open to walking, hiking and running.

Conserving Carolina acquired the land as a generous bargain sale from Yorke and Barbara Pharr, who asked that the park be named in honor of Frank and Calla Bell. Frank “Chief” Bell Sr. founded Camp Mondamin, a boys camp, one of the first summer camps in Western North Carolina, more than 100 years ago, in 1922. He went on to found Camp Green Cove for girls in 1945. His wife, Calla Bell, became the director of Camp Green Cove starting in 1952. Both camps remain in the Bell family and are located near Bell Park on the shores of Lake Summit.

Frank Bell is also known for a legendary canoe trip in 1923 when he led a group of young people on a paddling trip from Henderson County all the way to the Mississippi River. Along the way, he made the first known run of a Class IV rapid near Hot Springs, now known as Frank Bell’s Rapid. He was passionate about his lifelong calling of connecting children and teens with the outdoors. “The wilderness can be a magnificent playground and a great university,” he said.

Bell Park is located near numerous local landmarks, which showcase local history, marvels of engineering, and spectacular natural features. Signage celebrates the park as a “Gateway to Henderson County” and offers information on Cherokee history, the Kingdom of the Happy Land, the Saluda Grade, the High Bridge, Lake Summit dam, the historic cypress flume and the Green River.

Funding to purchase the land for Bell Park came from the North Carolina Land and Water Fund and the N.C. Parks and Recreation Trust Fund. Local donors made it possible to develop the trails and parking area, with major contributions coming from the Henderson County Community Foundation, Duke Energy Foundation, Henderson County Tourism and Development Authority, Northbrook Tuxedo LLC, James G. K. McClure Educational and Development Fund, Robert and Julie Medefindt and the Perry N. Rudnick Endowment.

“We are deeply grateful to everyone who made it possible to open this new Henderson County park," Roe said. "Their generosity allowed us to expand a protected natural corridor along the Green River Gorge and work with the county to create an inviting space to get outdoors.”

Conserving Carolina is a local land trust that has helped protect almost 49,000 acres, including farmland, forests, rivers, wetlands, parks, and trails. Its mission is to protect, restore, and inspire appreciation of the natural world. To learn more visit conservingcarolina.org.