New Meditation Pier under construction at Lake Junaluska

LAKE JUNALUSKA, N.C. – A new meditation pier that will extend over 40 feet into the water and seat up to eight people is under construction at Lake Junaluska. The pier, located along the Lake Junaluska Walking Trail on the south end of the Memorial Chapel parking lot, will provide a place for meditation and reflection with incredible lake views. It will be open to the public to use by Easter.

Funding for this new pier was given in memory of Erle and Mary Peacock, former summer residents of Lake Junaluska, by their family. The Peacock family has a history with the lake that spans back to its creation, as Erle is a descendant of A.E. Ward, who owned one of the three farms that originally occupied the Richland Creek Valley before the lake was built.

Erle and Mary Peacock were involved in the community at Lake Junaluska, serving as the grand marshals for the 2008 Independence Day Parade. They also established an endowment for the maintenance of the tennis courts at the lake. Mary Peacock served as a United Methodist minister and Erle Peacock worked in education, medicine and law throughout his career. Erle Peacock was an avid fisherman and could often be seen fishing during the time he spent at Lake Junaluska.

After Erle and Mary’s deaths, in 2012 and 2017, respectively, their family decided to commemorate the couple’s love for Lake Junaluska – and Erle’s passion for fishing – by giving in their memory to build a new pier for meditating, fishing and viewing the vistas of the lake and mountains. 

“Erle and Mary Peacock loved spending time at Lake Junaluska, and this new pier is the ideal way to honor their memory and their contribution to the community,” said Ken Howle, director of advancement for Lake Junaluska. “We look forward to the addition of the pier and appreciate the generosity of the Peacock family for making this possible.”

Once the pier is finished, everyone is welcome to come and use it. A dedication is planned for June. Over the years, charitable gifts have allowed for countless improvements of the lake and grounds at Lake Junaluska. It is through the generosity of donors that projects like the new meditation pier are made possible. For more information on giving to Lake Junaluska, visit www.lakejunaluska.com/support.

Lake Junaluska is a place of Christian hospitality where lives are transformed through renewal of soul, mind and body. For more information about Lake Junaluska, visit www.lakejunaluska.com.