Our annual Friends of the Valdese Rec general membership meeting was held on Tuesday, March 10. The program – State of Parks and Recreation – was provided by Doug Knight, Valdese Parks and Recreation Director. The meeting was open to the general public.
Those in attendance: Doug Knight, Beth Heile, Pat Zimmerman, Cutie Kaplan, Gavin Smith, W.T. Sorrell, Nancy Tucker, Val Scott, Susan Stevenson, Will and Rose Mueller, James Sweezy, Paul Mears, Rick Pons, Debbie Montanez, Sam Fitzwater.
The FVR year runs April 1 – March 31. President FVR Beth Heile provided the following information as a summary of the past year.
Valdese Lakeside Park Funding and Hours
Transferred $84,875 of park donations to Town of Valdese for Phase 1 that starts this year
$119,853.30 available for Bridge – need $40K
Applying for $250K RTP Grant for Mountain Biking Trails and Pump Track
To date (1-27-2020) – for appraisal to start purchase negotiations, land purchase and amenities
Private Donations: $691,011 — Grants: $1,458,247 — Total Project: $2,149,258
Volunteer hours at VLP after January 31, 2018 closing (not promotional events, just work)
2018: 330 hours — 2019: 388 hours
Workdays
Trail Blazers at Valdese Lakeside Park – Mar 7, Feb 15, Feb 1, Jan 18, Jan 4, Dec 28, Dec 24 (7)
Grass Cutting/Cove at VLP – October 26, Sept 24, Aug 31, Aug 3, July 6, June 1, May 4, April 6 (8)
Lovelady Roadside Cleanup – March 4
Clean up the River – By Boat – Sept 28
Workday at McGalliard Falls Park – Hauling branches – Aug 16
Trail Building/Maintenance Class for FVR Board May 22
Plantings and Pine Straw at Kellex Seating Picnic Area
Preparing for Kellex Picnic tables (2 days – purchased cinder blocks))
Water Butterfly Garden and Picnic Area
Events/Programs
Group Walk on the Greenway at VLP – Mar 1, Feb 2, Sept 1, Aug 4, July 7, Jun 2, May 5, April 7
McGalliard Falls Improvements Discussion – Jan 8
5K & 10K Runs/Walks at Valdese Lakeside Park – Dec 12, 19, 26,
Celebration Among Friends – Celebrate the Success of Valdese Lakeside Park – Nov 1
Young at Heart – Covered Dish Lunch at Valdese Lakeside Park – Oct 7
Fun at the Falls, McGalliard Falls Park- Hot Dog lunch, crafts, nature activities – Sept 14
Watermelon Social– July 7
Christmas Decorations outside Rec Bldg
Fresh Fruit for New Year at Exercise Room
Sponsored and Donated to Eagle Scout Fish Attractors Project
Fundraisers
New Year’s Resolution Run (5K & 10K) Jan 1
Beer: FFN Snack Shack Aug 30, Festival August 9-10, Independence Day June 28, FFN Snack Shack May 24
We are now a Benevity registered charity
Valdese Stitchery Hat Sale
Donations (other than park)
Gnomes – Kristina Mercer
Tools – Leslie Rostan, Sam Fitzwater, Tonya Stephens
25 Conservation Books to Valdese Public Library – Kristina Mercer
Race Help – Feetures, Zimmerman Realty, Farris Insurance, Los Compadres, Brinkley Insurance, Town of Valdese Tourism, Out of Our Minds Animation Studios, The Valdese Stitchery, David Harmon Studios
Plants at Kellex Picnic Area – Mark Rostan
Bimbo Bakeries – Buns and cooking hotdogs at Fun at the Falls
GoU (NCWF) – creek program at Fun at the Falls
Picnic Tables – Kellex Seating
FVR was not involved, but we would like to recognize others who give to parks and rec: Valdese Rotary donated funds for fence at Rotary Park and had a workday,
Bimbo Bakeries spruced up Village Park (at mural)
Ashton Mears Eagle – 3 Kiosks at Parks
Tommy Blackwell Eagle – Plantings at pool
FVR Involvement
Nominated Kellex for Conservation Award that they received
Wilderness Gateway State Trail – Public Input Meeting
Jacobs Fork and Henry Fork Study – Beth represented
Burke Tourism Sign hung at McGalliard Falls (Photo Spot)
FVR Members on Town Rec Commission
Burke County Chamber Member