Eno River Association

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Occoneechee Speedway

Local & Regional Parks

Hours: Dusk to Dawn

Address: 320 Elizabeth Brady Rd, Hillsborough, NC 27278

The Occoneechee Speedway was one of the first two NASCAR tracks to open and is the only track remaining from the inaugural 1949 season. The site is now heavily forested in 40 year old pines and sycamores. Visible still are the grandstands which once held thousands of enthusiastic fans and the mile–long oval track where such legends as Fireball Roberts, Richard Petty, Ned Jarrett, Louise Smith and Junior Johnson once spent their Sundays competing in the “Strictly Stock” and Grand National series. This site is one of only three race tracks on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Historic Occoneechee Speedway Trail (HOST) is a 44 acre site with 3 miles of trail located at 320 Elizabeth Brady Road in Hillsborough, NC. Although trails are currently closed, Eno River State Park is expected to reopen the trails under its stewardship.

The Eno River Association facilitated the sale of over 200 acres near downtown Hillsborough from Richard Hampton Jenrette Foundation (formerly the Classical American Homes Preservation Trust) to the Archaeological Conservancy and the State to be added to Eno River State Park. This transaction increased Eno River State Park to over 4,700 acres in Durham and Orange counties.

Stay tuned for information on an official ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the acquisition, planned for spring 2025.

Frequently Asked Questions

While 94% of the property is covered by historical preservation, trail, and conservation easements that protect the resources, that was no guarantee that a different landowner would keep the property open to the public, protect the cultural heritage, or maintain trails and other facilities. In addition, 6% of the property is zoned light industrial, meaning that 12.81 acres along Elizabeth Brady Road could have been sold and converted into warehouses, factories, or similar. With the State Park ownership, this area is available for additional parking, facilities, or other Park amenities.

As part of the transaction, the Richard Hampton Jenrette Foundation donated 23% of the $2,028,480 land value. Public grants also supported the transaction: a North Carolina Land and Water Fund grant of $973,000 and a $500,000 grant from the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund. In addition, the Eno River Association secured a $100,000 gift from the Harkrader Family as the Associations required match for grant funding. 

Not at this time. The Eno River Association was brought into the project to connect the key partners, manage the sale, identify resources, and support the transition of the properties. Since 1966, the Association has been bringing together property owners, environmentalists, and state and local governments to protect over 7,500 acres of green spaces, walking trails, farms, and cultural sites. The Association’s goal is most often to transition these protected lands to government agencies and parks departments who would open them to the public, such as with the creation of Eno River State Park.

Most of the property is protected through a variety of permanent easements and historical registries that mean they are protected from major change. You may see some changes upon new ownership—but we hope for the better! The N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation has been creating a master plan for the property, which may include new trails, signage, and other amenities.

First, you can help by spreading the word and sharing your enthusiasm about the project with your friends, family, and neighbors. You can also make a donation to any of the nonprofit organizations who are a part of the project, including the Eno River Association, the Archaeological Conservancy, or, who helped originally protect the property, the Richard Hampton Jenrette Foundation or Preservation NC. You can sign up to volunteer with the Eno River Association, who will support stewardship efforts and host educational programs and hikes once the property is reopened by the State.

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