A feasibility study has been completed for the Wilderness Gateway State Trail Trailhead and sidepath leading into Valdese Lakeside Park. Friends of the Valdese Rec secured funds to hire Destination by Design to recommend the best use of space at the Lovelady Road and Lake Rhodhiss Drive intersection as a trailhead. In addition the planning firm was tasked with creating an ADA sidepath route between Lake Rhodhiss Drive and Hoyle Creek with bridges and overlooks.
The new parking and picnic area will shift the road to get all cars on the trail side. At the informal parking area now, cars are on both sides. This trailhead will also add a new bridge instead of hikers and bikers having to use the Lovelady Road bridge to access the Hoyle Creek Trail.
The new sidepath will be Wilderness Gateway State Trail – instead of the current natural surface Hoyle Creek Trail.
