March 17, 2010 by WCTDA Planner
Over eighty cycling enthusiasts packed the Watauga County Library meeting room on Tuesday night for an informational meeting hosted by the Boone Area Cyclists (BAC). Attendees were welcomed by BAC’s Board of Directors and updated on current and future projects including Rocky Knob Park. Organized as a non-profit and boasting of a membership that has reached over 100 individuals since its inception in November, BAC is rapidly making an impact. Partnering with the Watauga County TDA, BAC has been influential the awarding of two trail grants for Rocky Knob Park, including $5,000 from Bikes Belong Foundation and $5,000 from Specialized Bikes. Members of BAC represent all types of cyclists and are working to provide one voice for the cycling community. If you missed the meeting and want to find out more about Boone Area Cyclists, plan to attend the Boone Area Outdoor Recreation Summit at the Broyhill Inn on March 30th at 6pm, stop by your local bike shops, or visit the BAC website at BooneAreaCyclists.com.
*This post is from the BAC press release.
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February 23, 2010 by WCTDA Planner
The WCTDA and Boone Area Cyclists just recieved word that a $5,000 grant has been awarded from the Bikes Belong Foundation for trail development at Rocky Knob Park. Along with the Specialized grant, we now have $10,000 to get us started on trail development, which is expected to begin mid-summer. A few things need to take place first…
Before beginning construction of the access road and parking area, the WCTDA will need to submit a grading plan to the state DENR office in Winston-Salem. For the normal developer, this plan is usually reviewed by the Watauga County Planning Department. However, since this tract is owned by the county, the state will need to review this project. After the plan is complete we’ll apply for a grading permit. If we pay the state extra (fast track) then the turn around is 30 days. Hopefully the plan can be complete by mid March and we’ll be permitted come mid April. At that point we can begin moving dirt.
If you want more information be sure to attend the Boone Area Cyclists community meeting at the library in Boone on Thursday, Februrary 25th @6pm.
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January 30, 2010 by WCTDA Planner
In the planning world, particularly the recreation planning world of North Carolina, the end of January marks the end of the “grant season.” Since coming on as the Outdoor Recreation Planner for the WCTDA in March 2009, the charge from my Board has been to forge partnerships and develop shovel-ready projects that prepare Watauga County and the WCTDA to glean grant funds from private businesses, foundations, and state and federal agencies.
The season opened in November when the WCTDA teamed up with Boone Area Cyclists, Inc. to submit an application to the Bikes Belong Foundation for trail development at Rocky Knob Park. In December, the WCTDA teamed up with Boone Bike and Touring, one of Boone’s local bike shops. Together, we submitted an application to Specialized Bikes also for trail development at Rocky Knob.
Then in January, the WCTDA teamed up with Watauga County to submit three grant applications – two for Rocky Knob Park and one for the Hwy. 321 Paddle Access – a critical part of the Watauga River Paddle Trail. For Rocky Knob Park, the NC Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) grant solicits state support for land acquisition, trail development, a shelter, an adventure playground, and the kid-oriented bike skills development area (see Rocky Knob Park site plan). Also, a state Adopt-a-Trail grant was submitted requesting funding for additional trail development at Rocky Knob. The federal Recreation Trail Program (RTP) grant highlights the Hwy. 321 Paddle Access along the Watauga River. This application leverages the donation of a 4 acre tract (appraised at $86,000) to encourage an investment from RTP for the construction of a parking area, shelter, kiosk, signage, and paddle launch.
So let’s sum this up and show some $ figures.
Project
|
Funding Agency
|
Grant Request
|
Submitted/ Notification
|
| Rocky Knob Park Trail Loop #1 |
Bikes Belong Foundation |
$10,000 |
November/ February |
|
Rocky Knob Park Trail Loop #1
|
Specialized Bikes |
$5,000 |
December/ December(awarded!) |
| Rocky Knob Park Trail Loop #2 |
NC Adopt-a-Trail Program |
$5,000 |
January/ early summer |
| Rocky Knob Park Acquistion, Shelter, Adventure Playground, Bikes Skills Area, and Trail Loop #2 |
NC Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) |
$500,000 |
January/ May |
|
Hwy. 321 Bridge Access Parking, Shelter, Boat Launch, Kiosk, and Signage
|
Recreation Trails Program (RTP) |
$75,000 |
January/ early summer |
| |
Total: |
$595,000 |
|
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January 15, 2010 by WCTDA Planner
Want to learn more about Rocky Knob Park? Want to hear about the county’s plans to submit for grant funding through the state’s Parks and Recreation Trust Fund? Do you have some thoughts, concerns, or ideas for Rocky Knob and want to speak? A public hearing for Rocky Knob Park will be held on Tuesday, January 19th @ 6pm at the Watauga County Commission Meeting. Hope to see you there.
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January 11, 2010 by WCTDA Planner
Boone Area Cyclists, Inc. (BAC) announces a community meeting for their members and area residents with an interest in greenways, trails, and all levels and types of cycling. The mission of the BAC is to develop, coordinate and promote safe and accessible bicycling opportunities throughout the Boone area. In the near future the BAC will be working in tandem with Watauga County to develop 10-12 miles of mountain biking trails at Rocky Knob Park. If trails and cycling is of interest to you and your family, consider becoming a member of the BAC. Regardless, you’re welcome to attend the BAC community meeting to be held at the Watauga County Library in Boone on February 25, 2010 @6pm.
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December 31, 2009 by WCTDA Planner
The Watauga County Tourism Development Authority (WCTDA) is presently developing a 10-year outdoor recreation master plan for the Boone area. On March 30, 2010, the WCTDA will host the Outdoor Recreation Summit to present a draft framework plan and to receive public comment. This public meeting will be held at the Broyhill Inn in Boone, NC at 6:00pm.
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