FVR - 5 Years - April 1

Can you believe it?!?!? That is has been 5 years since FVR formed with the main purpose to help the town acquire the 300 acres of land on Lake Rhodhiss for a park. That we are still going strong with amenities coming to Valdese Lakeside Park this year. And, along the way we have held programs and events (for seniors, kids & everyone), beautified parks and raised lots of money. None of this would have been possible without our members, donors, volunteers and participants! We were hoping to celebrate together this Wednesday, but as with everything social, it will have to wait!! Right now, the plan is for Wednesday, June 3.

Thanks to those in attendance: Doug Knight, Beth Heile, Pat Zimmerman, Cutie Kaplan, Gavin Smith, W.T. Sorrell, Nancy Tucker, Val Scott, Susan Stevenson, Will and Rose Mueller, James Sweezy, Paul Mears, Rick Pons, Debbie Montanez, Sam Fitzwater.

Click for Summary of the Past Year's Accomplishments

Thanks to Rep. Hugh Blackwell for organizing a meeting with Duke Energy at Valdese Lakeside Park to learn about the lake permitting process and funding opportunities. Also, thanks to County Commissioner Johnnie Carswell for continuing to be involved with our projects.

FVR has submitted a request to the County Finance Department for help with funding for the bridge over McGalliard Creek. FVR is also looking at the grant opportunities with Duke Energy - which are related to environmental & educational projects.

From Valdese Parks & Recreation Department:

Children’s Park and Valdese Family Splash Park are now closed until further notice because of the play surfaces and potential for close contact.

Parks and open space provide necessary respite, especially during challenging times. Park open space and greenways will remain open to visitors, therefore McGalliard Falls Park and Lakeside Park will continue to be open and available.  We invite you to breathe in the fresh air and enjoy nature, but please remember to follow social distancing guidelines and remain more than 6 feet from others.

A Loop of 3 NC State Trails??

Beth took the state trails draft map and added a Fonta Flora line from the Morganton Greenway to Valdese Lakeside Park​ and ..... and that creates a BIG LOOP of three state trails - Fonta Flora, Wilderness Gateway and Overmountain Victory! Now to get the FFST to Valdese.....

Trail Blazers

Thanks to all our of VLP Trail Blazing, Cove Cleaning, Grass Cutting Volunteers!

March 21 - Sam, Debbie, Reed, Beth, Eric, Tom, Susan, Mike B, Val, Scott
March 7 - Spence, Sam, Val, Eric, Beth, Susan, Debbie, Rick, Tom, Zakk, Rachel, Nathan, Reed
Feb 15 – Spence, Sam, Val, Eric, Ted, Beth, Susan, Debbie
Feb 1 – Beth, Eric, Sam, Debbie, Scott, Val, Tom, Spence, Susan
Jan 18 - Beth, Eric, Sam, Debbie, Gloria, Scott, Val, Tom, Spence, Zakk
Jan 4 - Mike, Tyler, Amy, Addison P, Beth, Sam, Rachel, Eric
Dec 28 - Beth, Eric, Sam, Debbie, Lisa, Rick, Zakk, Val, Scott, Addison W, Don, Joyce, Rachel, Joshua, Mark
Dec 24 - Val, Scott, Beth, Eric, Zakk

Major Grass Cutting and Weedeating will start up on May 2 at 9:00 am.

Google, Duke Energy, Corning

What do they have in common?

They have Friends of the Valdese Rec listed as a charitable organization for their employees - worthy of matching funds and volunteer hours. If you work for one of these companies, check with your HR person for more information!

Calendar

Saturday, Apr 4, 9:00 am Workday at Valdese Lakeside Park - Trails, Trash and Grass
Saturday, May 2, 9:00 am Workday at Valdese Lakeside Park - Trails, Trash and Grass
Sunday, May 3, 2:00 pm Group Walk on the Greenway at Valdese Lakeside Park
Saturday, May 9, 9:00 am McGalliard Falls Work Day
Thursday, May 21, 5:30 pm Conservation Kids - Reading and Crafts - Valdese Public Library
Monday, Jun 1, 3:30 pm Smart Phone, Tablet, Laptop Help - Splash Park Bldg
Wednesday, June 3, 5:00-6:30 pm Drop In FVR's 5 Year Anniversary at 100 Main
Friday, July 31, 7:00-10:00 pm Snack Shack at Valdese Family Friday Nights Concert

Take the Survey - Get the Types of Trails you want!

Gnomes are on the move at Lakeside Park!!