On a humid July morning, trail supporters gathered to celebrate the connection of Valdese Lakeside Park and McGalliard Falls Park with a new 160-foot bridge creating a 2 mile greenway trail. Continue reading “The Gap is Bridged”

Dogs can now run free in Valdese – at least in the new quarter acre Dog Park. At the park’s grand opening, sixty dogs frolicked freely in the grass as more than 100 people watched. The opening was the culmination of Friends of the Valdese Rec’s efforts over the past 18 months with fundraising and managing contractors. Continue reading “Dog Park Grand Opening”

Children’s Park in Valdese has a new interactive mural thanks to a local donor. Friends of the Valdese Rec (FVR) had been looking for a way to liven up Children’s Park in Valdese and thought a painted mural was the answer. After seeing Sam’s Recycled Art pieces around the area, FVR decided metal silhouettes of children with a painted background provided the ultimate solution. For funding, FVR spoke to members of the community until they found the perfect match. Continue reading “Mural Dedication”

Our furniture is here!

Thanks to a $7,051.89 grant from the Community Foundation of Burke County, we have nine benches along the greenway at Valdese Lakeside Park.  People of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds visit the park to walk and enjoy the views. FVR felt if they had a place to rest, many would come more often and stay longer. Continue reading “Furniture from Community Foundation of Burke County”

Friends of the Valdese Rec has been thinking about a mural at Children’s Park for some time – something that would be a “selfie photo op.” After meeting with artists and trying to find the “right” painted scene, FVR President Beth Heile was inspired by a recent metal installation at Waldensian Presbyterian Church.

Thanks to Sam’s Recycled Art and a private donor, this project can take place as soon as we have Valdese Recreation Department approval. Continue reading “Art at Children’s Park”

The Rec Building was built in 1938 and the gym floor is showing wear from usage. The wood has been sanded as much as is possible and can only have new coats of urethane added to protect the surface. Through March 31, FVR will match community donations up to $2500 for a new floor.

Ways to Donate to the Match

This is a part of a larger gym renovation effort by the Valdese Parks and Recreation Department. Read more.

Any given game day, and sometimes any regular Saturday, visitors cannot find a parking space at Children’s Park. It leads to a dangerous situation with cars, trucks and vans tucked into random spots and at all angles in the lot and on the public street. The Town has been looking for a solution for some time. Continue reading “Children’s Park Overflow”

All obstacles in the path of the McGalliard Creek bridge project have been cleared and construction is the next step. From the 2013 Valdese Parks & Recreation Comprehensive Development Plan, the top recreational item requested by survey respondents and public input meeting attendees was a trail from McGalliard Falls Park to the Valdese Wastewater Treatment Plant. Friends of the Valdese Rec has been raising money for the bridge since early 2019 to create a 2-mile Valdese Greenway from McGalliard Falls Park to Valdese Lakeside Park (which is beside the treatment plant). Continue reading “McGalliard Creek Bridge Moving Forward”