After 4 trail building workdays, amazing progress is being made at Valdese Lakeside Park. The FVR Trail Blazers meet the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of each month at 9 am to work on the trail from the greenway to Meditation Point. Find us at the start of the greenway between the blue trail and the ribbon cutting area.

There are jobs for all abilities – digging out roots, raking trail clear, cutting out trail with a rogue hoe, hauling off down limbs, cutting briars. If that isn’t your cup of tea … the cove always needs cleaning.

We provide the tools and trash bags. You just bring gloves and wear work clothes and closed toe shoes.

For more on why we are doing this and steps to trail building.

The Wilderness Gateway State Trail Public Input Meeting included 29 folks from Valdese!! This included Town Manager Seth Eckard, Parks and Recreation Director Doug Knight, Town Councilman Roy Sweezy, FVR President Beth Heile and 13 FVR members. Continue reading →

Friends of the Valdese Rec organized a public input meeting at McGalliard Falls Park to discuss possible improvements to the park and a state grant opportunity. Continue reading →

The second annual New Year’s Resolution Trail Runs took place on January 1, 2020 on a cold but sunny morning. 5K and 10K runners started at the same time on a road that took them to the Valdese Lakeside Park trails where they split onto different courses. Proceeds from the event go to Valdese Lakeside Park amenities. Continue reading →

To save $6,000 on Phase 1 amenities, Friends of the Valdese Rec will be hand building a trail from the greenway to the Wildlife Viewing Platform (at Meditation Point) – instead of paying a professional with a machine. Continue reading →

Help connect Valdese Lakeside Park to McGalliard Falls Park. A 128-foot bridge across McGalliard Creek is needed to complete the 2-mile greenway between the parks. Help Bridge the Gap!! Donate Today  Continue reading →

On Friday, November 1, Friends of the Valdese Rec hosted an event to celebrate the grants, donations, volunteer hours and participation given to Valdese Lakeside Park. Continue reading →

On Monday, October 7, Friends of the Valdese Rec hosted a covered dish picnic lunch for the community. Held in the Kellex Seating picnic area, about 30 people enjoyed the overcast fall afternoon that included plenty of delicious food and lots of conversation. Several attendees took to the trails after lunch.

14 members of FVR and/or Catawba River Wildlife Coalition teamed up to gather 16 bags of trash, 5 tires and other random stuff along a 3 mile paddle. Volunteers put in at the Valdese Water Plant and took out at Castle Bridge.

Look at all these FVR volunteers who showed up independently at The Levee Brewery and Pub for a Highlands Family Farm dinner. These volunteers support our parks and our local businesses!! What an amazing group – always giving and having fun at the same time.

Thanks to September Volunteers:

Fun at the Falls: Rick Pons, Kimberley Waldroff-Simpkins, Rachel Watts, Cadence Davis, Beth Heile, Joyce Brittain, Don Brittain, Joyce Brittain
Tuesday VLP Cleanup: Val Scott, Clinton Scott, Beth Heile, Eric Heile, Mark Rostan, Sam Fitzwater
Catawba River Cleanup: Tom Troy, Eric Heile, Beth Heile, Tom Kenney, Susan Bottafuoco, Bob Richards