Filing for a one-to-one matching grant that would provide funds for the construction of an environmental educational center on the New River was completed last week by county officials.

The grant, the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund, is administered through the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation and provides dollar-for-dollar matching funds to local governments for parks and other recreational projects.

Ashe County Parks and Recreation Director Joe Boccardy explained that the grant will help transform a former riverside residence into a center that will resemble a rustic mountain home, which will provide educational services on the New River to the people of Ashe County. The property, located in Crumpler and bequeathed to the county by Helen Wallace, is adjoined by two acres of land. Originally, the property along with $10,000 was willed to the Ashe County Department of Parks and Recreation. Boccardy explained that Wallace indicated in her will that she wanted the property to be transformed into “something to display the New River as a precious resource to Ashe County.”

County Manager Dan McMillan explained that county officials felt that the sum Wallace left would not be sufficient to construct the educational center that she had envisioned. Instead, the property was to be transferred to the North Carolina State Parks, which was also outlined in her will as a recipient if the parks did not accept the offer. County commissioners, McMillan stated, concurred that the state parks would also be better able to utilize the property. The park system later informed county officials that it would not be able to appropriate the necessary funds to honor Wallace’s wishes but did show interest in partnering with the county and parks and recreation in constructing the center. County officials, McMillan explained, decided to go forward with the filing of the grant in order to avoid using tax money in the completion of the new center. The former Wallace residence, valued at $135,000, will be used as the matching portion of the grant.

The $10,000 donation left by Wallace will be used as a reserve for the project in the event that “something comes up,” McMillan said.

An announcement concerning the distribution of the grant money is expected to occur in early May. If the county is not awarded the grant money at that time, its application will be considered during the second round of fund distribution in July.