For sale: Chimney Rock Park

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

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WLOSer Susan Mundy led off the noon with some big news – Chimney Rock Park is for sale.

The Morse family has owned the park for decades, and Tuesday they announced they’re ready to sell. Sale price – $55 million.

Todd Morse, who now runs the park, known for its phallus-shaped rock, unique elevator, thousands of steps and stunning scenery, said he hopes the buyer will preserve the family’s legacy in taking care of the land and keeping it open to the public.

Morse said two issues are forcing him to sell, according to Mundy, who didn’t do a good job of cracking the code. Morse said “estate planning issues” and three years of bad weather have taken a toll. Basically, that means Morse is worried about taxes on the property, and that the park has spent lots of dough on cleaning up after the remnants of hurricanes tore through the mountains. Attendance at the park has been down, though they’re doing better this year, Morse told Mundy.

Southeby’s will be handling the sale, according to Mundy, who also noted that the park has 60 employees whose future is uncertain. But for now, she stressed, the park is open and everybody is employed.

We’re sure to hear more about this big story.