June Newsletter

Friends of the Valdese Rec

June Events
Full Calendar

Greenway Grant Awarded to VLP

At the May Council Meeting, Mayor Black delivered the incredible news that the town was awarded a $200K grant for 4000 linear feet of greenway, permeable parking and storm water control at VLP. This is $200K to match our donors’ $200K to start a 10 ft wide crushed cinder greenway along Lake Rhodhiss and McGalliard Creek!!

Where we stand with donations and grants?

$262K in Donations from the Community
May 3 – Awarded $200K DEQ Grant for 4000 linear ft of greenway, storm drainage and some permeable parking – must match with $200K of Community Donations
PARTF Grant Submitted on April 30 for restrooms, picnic area, dog park, wildlife viewing platform, kayak launch, walking trail to viewing platform, parking, entry road for $285K. The DEQ grant our and community donations will cover the match. Award announced Aug/Sept.
Recreational Trails Program Grant – Requesting $100K to match $25K from community
to help pay for a 200-foot bridge across McGalliard Creek to complete the trail from McGalliard Falls Park to Valdese Lakeside Park – creating a 2-mile greenway connecting the parks. Cost of the bridge is estimated at $250K. Award will be Oct/Nov.

What else do we need?

$120K to complete greenway to creek crossing bridge from where DEQ money stops in Lakeside Park (3000 more ft)
$88K for bridge if we get RTP grant; $188K needed if no RTP grant (added to $62K of remaining donations)
$120K to complete greenway from bridge to McGalliard Falls Park (3000 ft) – may take more based on the steep slope at the McGalliard Falls picnic shelter to make it ADA

Please Donate Today!

Trail Building/Maintenance Class

Doug Veazey (MST Trail Maintenance Volunteer for 10 years) led a trail class for FVR Board Members and Parks and Recreation Director Doug Knight. Veazey volunteers twice a month to help maintain 70 miles of Mountains To Sea Trail in our area. He is a wealth of knowledge and was extremely helpful. Now, these folks can train a new set of volunteers! More

FVR Fundraiser during Concert

The Valdese Family Fun Night Concert Series Kick-off took place on Friday, May 24. FVR members worked the Snack Shack and membership table selling drinks, snacks, t-shirts and decals. The Town also held a 50/50 Raffle with the proceeds going to the Valdese Lakeside Park Project. $500 was raised for the park.

A big part of the event's success was The Levee Brewery and Pub donating two of their amazing beers for the evening - Trinity - a prize winning hazy pale ale and Daylight Robbery - a traditional English Ale. Drop in The Levee on Main Street and say "Thanks" to Peter.

Hats for the Park

Check out these cool hats from The Valdese Stitchery (located on Main Street). The best thing is $2 from the sale of each hat goes to Valdese Lakeside Park! This promotion is good through the end of July. Hats are $14 plus tax.

Bikes are visitors, too.
Photo Cred: Jim Clark

VLP Visitors Caught on Camera

Rotary Club of Valdese's Tuesday Lunch Meeting

FUMC Newton Youth Group

Some of the May 5 Group Walk Participants

Friends of the Valdese Rec Board
Beth Heile, Roy Sweezy, Mark Rostan, Quez Little, Spence Borden, Don Brittain, Gavin Smith

June 22 River Cleanup by Boat

The Cleanup on the River is being organized by the Catawba River Wildlife Coalition. Many folks are members of both CRWC and FVR and we are sharing the details between groups. Some people will put in their kayak/canoe at the Valdese Water Plant and start down the river collecting trash. Some people will put in their motor boat at Castle Bridge and come up the river to get trash from the paddlers. We will need trucks at Castle Bridge going to the land fill. Some will collect trash in the VLP cove. Other jobs are available - sign up at Google Sheets Sign Up - or reply with how you would like to help.