We hosted 18 painters who created about 50 rock masterpieces. We supplied the rocks, paint and brushes. Some rocks went home, but most are around Valdese – in the parks. This is a part of the movement to color Burke County with positive messages.

This Valdese Lakeside Park Conceptual Plan was needed to submit with the town’s grant applications. This is NOT the final plan. Public input and council approval is needed for a final plan. But, this creative layout with real measurements by Destination by Design Planning gives you an idea of what is possible.

We received a huge donation of daylilies from NC Landscapes that were planted along the fence by the volleyball court at McGalliard Falls.  It is a 50 ft section that is 2-3 plants deep. The extras were left at the Rec for folks to pick up for their own yards.

As part of NC Litter Sweep, we held a cleanup at McGalliard Falls. In addition to cleaning, we also spread pine straw around the Girl Scout planting area that was added as part of the Bird Sanctuary. We also spotted irises coming up from past planting sessions.

You may recall, a Bird Sanctuary was created at McGalliard Falls park during the summer of 2016. The sanctuary was a group effort between Friends of the Valdese Rec, Councilman Gary Delp and his wife Phyllis and girl scouts Gunnar Hudson and Rachel Watts, of Troop 10645. As a part of their Silver Project, the girls set up a booth at the Valdese Festival selling sponsorships for the birdhouses. With the sponsorship money (and a donation of wood from Lowes Hardware of Morganton) they built and painted 50 birdhouses. They also landscaped 2 areas of the park with bird friendly plants (berries for eating, coverage, etc) – around the sign created for the space – Every Birdy Welcome and near the park entrance. Plants were provided by Settlemyre Nursery, Northwest Landscaping Inc. and the community. The project was unveiled on Saturday, Sept 17 with the ribbon cutting of the Grist Mill. Friends of the Valdese Rec had a BBQ Lunch that day.

Packets were mailed to our local state lawmakers Representative Hugh Blackwell and Senator Warren Daniel. In addition to letting them know that we have 2 state grants pending for the purchase of the lake land, the packets included the Valdese Lakeside Park Plan and information about Friends of the Valdese Rec. We have been called by both offices to tell inform us of their support.

June 2 Update: Add Congressman Mark Meadows to the list!

We have started a campaign called #PledgetothePark to gather testimonials from those who have pledged. Look for them on social media and our testimonials page.

Thanks to all these people and companies the red is rising for park amenities. However, more pledges are needed to show the grant boards that community supports this project and to build the best park ever.

The FVR Fundraising Committee met today and made plans for raising money for the Valdese Lakeside Park amenities.

We have committees for Gardening, the Young at Heart, Sports. Join us!