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 |
Eric, This is outstanding work. You are personally leaving a great legacy on this area with your work on behalf of the Watauga Tourism Development Authority. Finally, oudoor recreation is about to blossom in the High Country. Way to go!