Catawba Bend Preserve

Background:

York County Council made a tremendous investment in Dec. 2018, by purchasing a 1,900 acre parcel that borders the Catawba River for almost five miles. This land, first dubbed RiverBend Park, features primary forests, seasonal wetlands, ponds, enormous pines, and expansive meadows. It's now officially known as Catawba Bend Preserve.  Currently, this park is not open to the public. 

In January 2019, York County Council hired renowned President of Greenway Incorporated Chuck Flink, and Landscape Architect Dan Dodd from the Dan Dodd Studio to assist with the development of the Riverbend Masterplan. Additionally, Council created the Riverbend Park Committee to research and advise Council on a proposed masterplan.  Over many months the committee met regularly with the park planning experts,  conducted public surveys, and is pleased to share the approved Riverbend Park Master Plan with our community. To review maps and additional information about the park and proposed activities within the Masterplan, please view online presentation.

Next Steps:

After receiving public input, the feedback was provided to the Riverbend Committee for consideration and recommendation of the plan to York County Council for adoption.  Council adopted the plan on October 4, 2021. The name Catawba Bend Preserve was announced on November 4, 2021. Once the name was made official we produced a new video to celebrate.

Newest Update

The first hiking trails are going in at Catawba Bend Preserve! We’re thrilled about what’s to come, as crews are putting in the first four miles of trails right now.  

Announcing Catawba Bend Preserve

Check out our new massive 1,900 acre park.

Some Of The Work Going On At Catawba Bend Preserve

Just because you hear crickets out at Catawba Bend Preserve doesn't mean there's nothing going on there. Far from it! Watch this update on York County's newest park.

York County High School Cross Country Meet

Our first event is in the books! Catawba Bend Preserve isn’t open to the public yet, but what a thrill to host cross-country teams from our local schools.

Catawba Bend Preserve in the media:

Listen to Straight Talk guest Chuck Flink, Landscape Architect, as he discusses his background and how he's working with York County leaders in developing a masterplan for York County's 1900 acre Catawba Bend Preserve:   5/11/21-Striaght Talk Show with Chuck Flink, Landscape Architect