Friends of the Valdese Rec, Inc (FVR) is starting a free monthly Lunch and Learn Program for Young at Hearts. Every third Thursday of the Month at Noon, FVR will provide lunch, time to socialize and a 15–20-minute program for those in the community who are retired or just interested. First United Methodist Church of Valdese is providing the space for the lunch event. Continue reading Lunch and Learn Program
Which is more important – getting your kids outside or having them read a book?? Why not do both! With help from Pilot Club of Valdese, FVR is applying for a grant to make our temporary Story Trail permanent.
How it all started: FVR (with the help of The Mercer Family) donated 25 conservation themed children’s books to the Valdese Library in Feb 2020 to start a monthly Conservation Kids program. Then covid hit and the program never started. In the fall, FVR had some outdoor pop-up kid reading events as a try at the program, but with many still having concerns, attendance was low.
About the same time, FVR President Beth Heile saw where a local town was putting pages of a book in store fronts to bring shoppers to town. She thought the same thing could be done at Valdese Lakeside Park. To replace the pop-up group book events, in December 2020, FVR started the temporary story trail that families could visit at their convenience, and socially distance. It was a huge hit and families were begging for a new book each week. After 4 months, the park main entrance was closed for construction, but FVR picked up the Story Trail again in February 2022. Continue reading Story Trail Permanent – Hopefully
On a humid July morning, trail supporters gathered to celebrate the connection of Valdese Lakeside Park and McGalliard Falls Park with a new 160-foot bridge creating a 2 mile greenway trail. Continue reading The Gap is Bridged
Dogs can now run free in Valdese – at least in the new quarter acre Dog Park. At the park’s grand opening, sixty dogs frolicked freely in the grass as more than 100 people watched. The opening was the culmination of Friends of the Valdese Rec’s efforts over the past 18 months with fundraising and managing contractors. Continue reading Dog Park Grand Opening
Children’s Park in Valdese has a new interactive mural thanks to a local donor. Friends of the Valdese Rec (FVR) had been looking for a way to liven up Children’s Park in Valdese and thought a painted mural was the answer. After seeing Sam’s Recycled Art pieces around the area, FVR decided metal silhouettes of children with a painted background provided the ultimate solution. For funding, FVR spoke to members of the community until they found the perfect match. Continue reading Mural Dedication
Our furniture is here!
Thanks to a $7,051.89 grant from the Community Foundation of Burke County, we have nine benches along the greenway at Valdese Lakeside Park. People of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds visit the park to walk and enjoy the views. FVR felt if they had a place to rest, many would come more often and stay longer. Continue reading Furniture from Community Foundation of Burke County
Friends of the Valdese Rec has been thinking about a mural at Children’s Park for some time – something that would be a “selfie photo op.” After meeting with artists and trying to find the “right” painted scene, FVR President Beth Heile was inspired by a recent metal installation at Waldensian Presbyterian Church.
Thanks to Sam’s Recycled Art and a private donor, this project can take place as soon as we have Valdese Recreation Department approval. Continue reading Art at Children’s Park
The Rec Building was built in 1938 and the gym floor is showing wear from usage. The wood has been sanded as much as is possible and can only have new coats of urethane added to protect the surface. Through March 31, FVR will match community donations up to $2500 for a new floor.
This is a part of a larger gym renovation effort by the Valdese Parks and Recreation Department. Read more.
Any given game day, and sometimes any regular Saturday, visitors cannot find a parking space at Children’s Park. It leads to a dangerous situation with cars, trucks and vans tucked into random spots and at all angles in the lot and on the public street. The Town has been looking for a solution for some time. Continue reading Children’s Park Overflow