The team who helped make the Valdese Lakeside Park land acquisition happen was honored at the Governor’s Mansion in Raleigh during a reception on February 28. Governor Roy Cooper was present and heard remarks from FVR President Beth Heile and Parks & Rec Director Doug Knight.

Beth Heile closed her remarks by saying, “I am grateful for the support from the State of NC so far. I was delighted to hear about Gov Cooper’s Hometown Strong initiative – because during this process, I have learned you need a team to make things happen in rural areas. I look forward to future partnerships to make things happen in Valdese and hope other small towns will be inspired by what a team was able to do for Valdese.” That team included volunteers, town officials, state officials, project supporters and land trust members.

The event was hosted by the NC Clean Water Management Trust Fund Board & Staff, Secretary Susi Hamilton and First Lady Kristin Cooper. Two other projects that received past grants were also highlighted – Bailey Mountain and the Salmon Creek Initiative.

Pictured here (l-r): Doug Knight, Tom Kenney (Foothills Conservancy of NC), Beth Heile, Walter Clark (Executive Director, CWMTF), Damon Hearne (Western Field Representative, CWMTF)

The Town of Valdese owns 300 acres on Lake Rhodhiss. Closing finalized on January 31, 2018! This was not your regular house closing – so many complications.

Many thanks to: Rostan Family Foundation, Kellex Seating, CHS-BR, Town of Valdese, Town Council, Tom and Susie at Foothills Conservancy of NC, Doug Knight, Seth Eckard, Damon, Erin, PARTF, CWMTF, FVR Board, and everyone who has supported FVR and donated to the park.

Valdese Lakeside Park Thank You Slides used at  Nov 3 Celebration

 

With membership dues, FVR had Settlemyre Nursery install 8 Celestial Shadow Dogwoods around the splash park. 3 on Hill Street side, 4 on Laurel St side and one in front of the Massel Ave building. We depend on dues to help with projects, plantings, events. Join or Renew Today.

We are very grateful for our donors who committed and followed through. That’s $55,581 in donations from regular folks, small businesses and clubs. Valdese people know how to make things happen.

 

Destination by Design came to town to get a summary of the ideas we have been collecting at our focus group meetings. We had sessions with

• Disc Golfers
• Mountain Bikers
• General Public
• Trail Runners, Cross Country Runners
• Town Department Heads

That was a lot of information to hand over. Thanks to public input, we are really narrowing down what will be the best feature set for the citizens of Valdese to enjoy. This will be the People’s Park!

Destination by Design brought a new map that includes all the setbacks required by the CWMTF grant. Nothing 100 feet from creeks/lake and mainly just trails 300 feet from water.

With the amazing opportunity to build a park from scratch, we want to make sure we get it right. Getting input from citizens and specialty groups seems to be a smart way to start the plan.

Disc golfers from clubs in Burke and Catawba Counties got together to talk about features they like most in the courses they play. They have also walked the land to make sure that they think in their heads will work at the park.

Coming from Burke and Caldwell Counties, mountain bike riders, coaches and shop owners met to discuss the possibilities the land holds. They will be visiting the land soon to look for special feature areas and verify all skill levels can be represented.

Regular folks are also an important category.  Locals may use just one amenity regularly or may use all amenities a little bit. But, they also have the feel of Valdese and what will work for our citizens.

In January, trail and cross country runners will be the next group to gather.

The park planner will collect all the feedback and in March will present a close to final plan with options.

It has been over a year since FVR volunteers painted the main Children’s Park Building. That still looks great. However, with the new park upgrades, the fascia boards needed to be painted in advance of new gutters being installed.

Luckily for us, November provided a warm afternoon and 5 volunteers got the boards scrapped and painted in about an hour.

Drainage is being corrected, parking lot has been resurfaced, new picnic tables added, new sign and new batting cage are all in the works.

On Friday, November 17, four personnel from  Destination by Design came to Valdese.  The visit started at Town Hall, where they met with Town Department heads to hear concerns about rescue, zoning, water access, maintenance and the like.

Chris Wood with with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission discussed an ADA kayak/canoe launch and fishing pier that would be funded by the Commission. Chris is also getting contacts for help to clean up all the trash in the water.

DbD then walked the property to understand the the implications and parameters of the CWMTF easements. Tom Kenney with Foothills Conservancy of NC was there is answer any questions since he completed the winning N.C. Clean Water Management Trust Fund application. There are limitations on creek crossing for mountain bikers, endangered plants that need to be protected and more.

For more pictures.