Department Info

Buckeye Recreation Center
1330 Pine Ridge Road
 Beech Mountain, NC 28604
(828)387-3003 
 
Hours of Operation
Monday through Friday 8:30am to 7pm
 Saturday 9am to 5pm
Sunday 11am to 5pm 

Meet the Staff

Sean Royall - Executive Director

Sean was born and raised in Wilkes County. He is married to his college sweetheart 
and they have a wonderful amazing baby boy named Talon and his best mountain
bike buddy (their dog) named Matix. He grew up heavily involved with recreation
through travel soccer and baseball. He fell in love with outdoor recreation at an early
age going on backpacking trips and traveling around the country racing motocross,
and his love for two-wheeled activities has never ceased. In 2017 he won a national
title in the Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) off-road dirt bike series. When he
left for college he got involved with sports such as whitewater kayaking, mountain
biking, and snowboarding. These interests and hobbies are what really got him
interested in the Parks and Recreation Field. He graduated from Appalachian State
with a degree in Recreation Management and Graphic Arts and Imaging. After
graduating in 2008, he moved to Colorado to play in the Rockies. Upon his return
to NC he came to Beech Mountain as the Program Coordinator. After becoming the
director he has focused on growing outdoor recreation opportunities and more events
to showcase how amazing our backyard is. He loves creating opportunities for others
to enjoy nature as much as he does.
Contact Sean at sroyall@townofbeechmountain.com 

Kate Prisco - Assistant Director

 
 Kate has been a resident of Beech Mountain since 2012 to enjoy the mountain's
resources such as; snowboarding, hiking and golfing. Her degree from Tusculum
College in Physical Education helped her start her job at Buckeye Recreation
Center as a fitness intstuctor. Here at Buckeye she teaches fitness classes such as
zumba, spin, HIIT classes, and more. Kate also runs our annual Cool 5 Race, Mud Run, 
and Holiday Market.
Contact Kate at kprisco@townofbeechmountain.com 

Jared Ward - Fitness Coordinator

 
Jared is a native of Beech Mountain. He is a certified personal trainer, and has worked
at Buckeye Recreation Center for seven years. Jared also provides guided fishing
tours on Beech Mountain, and helps coordinate the annual Kiddo fishing Derby on
Beech Mountain. Jared is a fitness enthusiast, and loves to be outdoors during his free
time. He is vary outgoing, and loves to help individuals achieve their fitness goals. 
Contact Jared at jward@townofbeechmountain.com

Sean McNay - Outdoor Recreation Staff

 
Hi I'm Sean McNay! I have been blessed by having been able to serve the Town of
Beech Mountain for 14 years as a Parks  and Trails coordinator. I began my work here
as a contractor monitoring the Sled Hill after graduating from UNC-Asheville. I was
offered the full time position and have been hooked on Beech Mountain ever since!
I am a father, US Army Veteran, Volunteer Firefighter and a grateful man. I can't say
thank you enough to the wonderful people in this community who treated me so well
over the years. I look forward to seeing and serving you out on the trail! 
Contact Sean at smcnay@townofbeechmountain.com 

Lauren Lampley - Outdoor Recreation Staff

 
  

Lauren enjoys taking her two dogs (Sage and Olive) on walks and hikes all around the High Country and exploring the amazing nature in the area. She graduated from Lees-McRae College in 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Biology. She then went to Montreat College to complete her Master’s in Environmental Education in 2016. Lauren worked for the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation for three seasons as a Seasonal Naturalist before joining the Parks and Recreation Department as a part-time employee. She began with Town of Beech Mountain as a Front Desk Assistant at the Buckeye Recreation Center in the summer of 2018 before becoming an Outdoor Recreation Technician in Fall of 2019. 

Contact Lauren at llampley@townofbeechmountain.com