A parks and recreation master plan is a comprehensive, long-range strategy for the creation, optimization, and maintenance of a community’s assets. It doesn’t focus on one particular park but instead offers a bird’s-eye view of a community’s parks and recreation landscape, both today and beyond. It examines the parks and recreation assets’ ability to meet the needs of the community and outlines steps for closing the gap between current capabilities and those needs. (from sportsfacilites.com)

Can’t put your finger on exactly what Valdese needs in recreation? Having a hard time prioritizing all that you want? The Town of Valdese needs a new Comprehensive Parks and Recreation Plan.

Continue reading “We Need a Plan”

The 2-mile Valdese Greenway has been designated as official Wilderness Gateway State Trail. Friends of the Valdese Rec completed the paperwork in September 2023 that was submitted to NC State Trails. From there the public had to be notified of the request, a State Parks planner came to walk the trail to verify it met standards, and finally it was approved by the NC Trails Committee and the Department of Natural and Cultural Recourses. This section is the very first section of WGST to be designated!

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In October, the Community Foundation of Burke County awarded FVR a $9327 grant to purchase 12 picnic tables (2 ADA) for the Open Green. FVR funds of $984.03 were used to cover the small overage for a price increase and shipping. The tables arrived on Wednesday, October 18. FVR volunteers (Johnny and Eric) spent two days assembling the tables to get them ready for Great Trails State Day on Saturday, October 21 for a Pizza Party. First the first time at the park, we had room for 74 people to sit together.

Continue reading “Gather at the Table”

Saturday, October 21 was Great Trails State Day across NC as part of NC Year of the Trail 2023. We set a goal to collectively bike, hike, paddle 1000 miles at Valdese Lakeside Park during the day. We blew that goal away and finished at 1526 miles! 509 people and 70 dogs, 8am – 7:30pm. Didn’t even get the folks that entered/left Lovelady Rd and McGalliard Falls side as part of the count.

Continue reading “1000 Mile Challenge”

Treasure hunting in Valdese?? You bet. Geocaches are hidden all around our parks (and town). Not sure what this Hike and Seek adventure is all about. You just need an app on your phone and a willingness to explore.

Geocaching is for everyone. When you find a geocache, open it up to see what is inside. If you take a trinket, you should replace it with something else!

The picture on the left is a grandfather out exploring with his grandkids at Valdese Lakeside Park and a located geocache container with goodies.

Continue reading “Geocache at Parks”

This long-awaited amenity on Lake Rhodhiss is now open for everyone to enjoy. Designed and built by North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission (NCWRC), the $200,000 pier was funded by an NC Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) Grant, NCWRC and community donations.

Continue reading “Kayak Launch – Fishing Pier Ribbon Cutting”

Friends of the Valdese Rec and Town of Valdese worked together to submit a technical assistance planning grant from Appalachian Regional Commission and the North Carolina Department of Commerce. The program is called “Creating Outdoor Recreation Economies (CORE)” and the goal is to help rural communities leverage natural assets to increase economic opportunity through the outdoor recreation economic sector. ARC/NC Commerce facilitator Kyle Case led a local working group in developing a plan for Town of Valdese. The process included 4 in person meetings with the working group, a community survey about recreation use and spending (114 results) and 6 phone interviews with members in the community very involved in outdoor recreation.

Town of Valdese Council adopted the plan at the July 10 Council Meeting. Read the plan – Creating Outdoor Recreation Economies Strategic Plan

Continue reading “Outdoor Recreation Economy Plan for Valdese”