Boone Area Outdoors

NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF THE WATAUGA COUNTY TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY FOR THE PURPOSE OF RECEIVING PUBLIC COMMENT 

The Watauga County Tourism Development Authority (TDA) will hold a Special Meeting on Thursday, January 26, 2012, at 5:30pm at the Watauga County Commissioners’ Board Room at 814 West King Street in Boone, NC. Watauga County TDA staff will provide a presentation on a proposed state grant to the Recreation Trails Program that could provide funds to develop river access improvements at the Pine Run Road bridge and at Green Valley Park on the South Fork New River. The public will then be allowed comment on these proposed recommendations. For more information call Eric Woolridge, TDA Tourism Planner, at 828.266.1345.

SEE PINE RUN CONCEPT PLAN

SEE GREEN VALLEY PLAN

SEE DRAFT GRANT APPLICATION

This post is adapted from a recent press release.

Grant Will Rehabilitate Boone Fork Trail and Portion of Mountains-to-Sea Trail on Parkway

The Watauga County Tourism Development Authority (WTDA) has just received a $75,000 grant from the North Carolina Recreation Trails Program (RTP) to rehabilitate and improve the Mountains-to-Sea Trail (MST) in Julian Price Memorial Park on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

The grant, and another $18,750 pledged as 25% matching funds by the WTDA, will devote a total $93,750 to rebuild a 2-mile, badly eroded portion of the Boone Fork Trail, a key part of the MST. The funds will also build a dedicated Mountains-to-Sea trailhead parking area, information kiosk, and 700 feet of new trail adjacent to Holloway Mountain Road between Foscoe and the Blue Ridge Parkway.

“In these times of limited grant funding, we’re honored to receive this grant to improve hiking on the Blue Ridge Parkway, consistently mentioned as one of the primary draws for visitors to our area,” said WTDA Executive Director Wright Tilley.

“We’re very grateful for this grant,” said Parkway Superintendent Phil Francis. “The Boone Fork Trail is one of my favorites, and a favorite of many. It needs a lot of work and some repairs to make the trail safer and more enjoyable—and this grant will make a big difference.”

Tilley said, “To be able to leverage $18,750 in occupancy tax funds contributed by visitors to gain an additional $75,000 for recreational tourism infrastructure is a significant achievement for our team. Eric Woolridge, our Director of Tourism Planning, has done an excellent job procuring and managing grants for the TDA.”

“We’re working to develop a long-term relationship with the Park Service to improve the Parkway’s trail and recreation facilities for the future,” Woolridge said.

“It’s easy to forget that existing trails, especially trails as popular as Boone Fork, occasionally need to be rebuilt,” said Randy Johnson, Mountains-to-Sea Trail task force leader for the Grandfather Mountain to Blowing Rock section of trail. “The grant makes that possible and will also give local volunteers new opportunities to support trails.

During this last grant cycle, there were 43 requests from across the state totaling $3,116,000. Only 21 applicants were selected for grants, awarding a total of $1,383,796. Design of the trails and trailhead will start in late winter with the work expected to be completed by fall 2013.

The Boone Fork project was an idea that was widely supported at the WTDA’s 2009 Outdoor Recreation Summit. Woolridge maintains a blog about outdoor recreation development projects throughout the Boone area at http://www.booneareaoutdoors.com.

The RTP grant program is managed by the State, but is a federal assistance program of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration.

The path of least resistance, or the easiest, cheapest, and most efficient way to solve a problem, is often sought and preferred by decision-makers. And considering the qualities of such a path and the nature of many problems, this is understandable. But often we settle for the path of least resistance when something far greater is achievable. Will this cost more time and money? Yeah.

If you had a chance to watch some of the 9/11 footage this past weekend, we can agree that the redevelopment of Ground Zero isn’t the result of some small vision. These decision-makers weren’t looking for the simple solution, but the right solution – something beautiful and timeless. On the campus of Appalachian State University we continue to witness the rise of multiple new buildings. Could they be built with fewer dollars? Surely, if LEED certification isn’t important, if character isn’t important, or if you want to place creativity on the sacrificial alter. These examples demonstrate a process counter to the “path of least resistance.” In my optimistic world – and some have called me overly-optimistic – it seems our primary constraint is not time and money, but creativity.

It’s in this vein of thought that I find myself particularly proud of Watauga County and the Watauga County Tourism Development Authority (TDA). Both of these government institutions have found a way – not the easiest or simplest – to further recreation development in Watauga County in a manner I think we’ll all be proud of. Because of contracts approved this week with Harmony Timberworks and Foscoe Construction, we can soon expect the built landscape at Rocky Knob Park and Watauga Gorge Park to be forever enhanced.

Earlier this year the Watauga County TDA adopted a facility design manual as part of the Boone Area Outdoor Recreation Plan. This manual provides architectural and construction details of how all future shelters, gateway entrances, park entrance signs, and kiosks will be developed. The idea: use architecture to galvanize all of our recreation facilities and establish a single recreation system throughout the county. And while these facilities could have called for “traditional” pressure-treated 6×6 posts with pre-fabricated rafters, this decaffeinated option was rejected. Instead, we’re going to build a host of distinct timber frame structures with “traditional” mortise & tenon, pegged joinery.

We can also thank our grant supporters, Parks and Recreation Trust Fund, Recreation Trails Program, and Communities Putting Prevention to Work, who’ve contributed a combined $605,000 toward these two parks, including the pending facility construction.

Here’s what we’re building:

Rocky Knob Park: Large Entrance Gateway, Trail Head Gateway, Large Picnic Pavilion.

Watauga Gorge Park: Small Shelter, Entrance Signage, Kiosk.

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Since my 14 year-old daughter, Taylor, will be going to high school next year, and I, well, just needed a vacation, we decided a 21 day cross-country road trip was in order. More than an opportunity to force my teenager to hang out with me for a few weeks, I’m also looking for some new inspiration for my work. Thus, Madison, WI proved to be a worthy first stop. Below are a few pics…

I'm not the type to look backwards and say "this is how we should of done it," particularly when I am not privy to all information (remember, I'm a county planner). However, in my opinion the bike path concept shown here should have been considered for the new Highway 421 expansion currently taking place in Boone. My understanding is that we'll not have bike lanes, but only an extra-wide, unmarked outside lane for cyclists, and, as already constructed, there are sidewalks on both sides. Idea: remove the extra-wide lanes, which equals about 4' total. Add this width to one of the 4' wide sidewalks and you've created an 8' wide multi-use path. Are sidewalks overrated?

Rent bikes for $10 a day. This bike rack was full about two hours before I was able to get my camera and return. To implement this idea, biking infrastructure must be extensive.

Taylor and our family friend, Madeline, cruise down a "bike boulevard." These low-traffic roadways serve as major connectors to community assets. Bikes are given precedent.

The bike traffic light leaves no doubt.

Thanks to Watauga County’s tremendous staff, led by JV Potter, the construction of Watauga Gorge Park is well underway. If you get a chance, take a look at this new park located at the intersection of Hwy. 321 and Old Watauga River Road. This park is adjacent to the concrete bridge that crosses the Watauga River just before Trash Can Falls.

This facility, which is being constructed using a grant from the NC Recreation Trails Program, will include 10 parking spaces, a shelter, and a canoe launch. The WCTDA hopes to open the park this fall. The photos below were taken on June 17, 2011.

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On Sunday, May 1st at 2pm, Watauga County, Watauga County Tourism Development Authority (WCTDA), and Boone Area Cyclists (BAC) will host the official opening of Rocky Knob Park’s first 1.6 mile mountain biking trail.

While a grand opening is being planned for later in the year with the completion of additional trails, this event is the culmination of 18 months of intensive, collaborative work among local government officials and engaged citizens. The county has secured $515,000 in grant funding for the 185-acre facility and Boone Area Cyclists have logged more than 1,500 volunteer hours. Currently, 6.5 miles of additional trails are under construction. With the opening of this first trail, the WCTDA expects to gauge user needs for future facility management.

If you would like to participate in this celebration, Rocky Knob Park is located just east of Boone, directly off of Highway 421. A location map and information about the trail system can be found at: http://www.rockyknob.wordpress.com