The vision of the WCTDA is to further establish the Boone Area as a premier outdoor recreation destination. The Boone Area Outdoor Recreation Plan serves as a roadmap for realizing this vision.
Some key planning elements are outlined below, or you can download and review the complete draft plan by clicking on the plan cover below. 
The plan includes an executive summary, introduction, and four major chapters: 1) Profile, 2) Initiatives, 3) Facility Design, and 4) Implementation.
Introduction
The WCTDA reinvests occupancy tax revenues to further develop the tourism economy in Watauga County. This twenty-year plan outlines outdoor recreation infrastructure priorities and serves as a resource to effectively petition federal, state, and private grant-making organizations.
The complete Introduction also includes a discussion on the planning process. To review the executive summary and introducion, click here.
Chapter 1: Profile
This chapter examines existing Boone Area assets, including our natural resources, public lands, and people. Our mountains, rivers, and public lands serve as the physical backbone for proposed recreation initiatives, while our community partners are critical for plan implementation.
Map 1: Boone Area River Basins
Map 2: Major Boone Area Public Lands
Partners. Numerous community partners are highlighted in this chapter, including: Boone Area Cyclists, Friends of Mountains-to-Sea Trail, Watauga River Partners, Middle Fork Greenway Association, Carolina and Boone Climbers Coalition, Green Valley Community Park, Valle Crucis Community Park, National Committee for the New River, Blue Ridge Conservancy, High Country Disc Golf Club, Todd Community Preservation Organization, and Cove Creek Preservation and Development.
The complete Profile chapter discusses in detail our many federal and state public lands, local parks, and community partners. Click here to take a look.
Chapter 2: Initiatives
This chapter is the heart of the plan. The planning process revealed eight opportunity areas for new outdoor recreation investment, including: 1) Multi-Use Greenways, 2) Hiking Trails, 3) Mountain Biking, 4) Road Cycling, 5) Paddle Trails, 6) Fishing, 7) Rock Climbing, and 8) Disc Golf.
Map 5. Pisgah National Forest Mountain Biking
Map 6: Watauga River and New River Paddle Trails
Watauga River Paddle Trail: Valle Crucis Access
Watauga River Paddle Trail: Upper Gorge Access
New River Paddle Trail: Pine Run Access
Click here to see all of chapter two.
Chapter 3: Facility Design
Through unique, but uniform facility design we can establish continuity among various outdoor recreation offerings. Whether at a mountain bike park, on a multi-use greenway, or at a paddle access, a recognizable design theme will galvanize Watauga County’s parks and open space system. Take a look.
Chapter 4: Implementation
This chapter is comprised of three major sections: 1) grant opportunities, 2) stewardship and maintenance, and 3) five-year action plan. Take a look.
