Community leaders from the Town of Lake Lure, Chimney Rock Village, Chimney Rock State Park, and Rutherford County gathered on Thursday, November 3rd to celebrate Lake Lure’s newest infrastructure project, the revitalization of the Lake Lure Town Center Walkway. Prior to the ribbon-cutting on the walkway, attendees gathered at the entrance to Lake Lure Beach for greetings and remarks by local officials.
The Lake Lure Town Center Walkway is a walking path of brick pavers that begins at Jack London Road near the ABC Store and crosses the Pool Creek Bridge, which extends to a floating boardwalk through the Washburn Marina. The walkway continues on toward Chimney Rock Village along US 64/74A through the Town of Lake Lure and across the historic Rocky Broad River Bridge, now called the Lake Lure Flowering Bridge. Updates to the Pool Creek Bridge pillars and globe lights were also completed in tandem with the Walkway paving project by George Wittmer, owner of Lake Lure Properties. The pillars and globe lights were restored to their original designs from 1925, when the bridge was built.
This infrastructure project was integral towards increasing pedestrian connectivity in Rutherford County, as it provides walkability between the town center, town hall, and the Flowering Bridge. Additionally, local leaders have identified a pedestrian walkway connecting the Town of Lake Lure and Chimney Rock Village as a much-hoped for priority, and the Walkway revitalization is an important step forward in this process.
“There’s been a lot of talk about connectivity. That’s the key, connecting the two communities (Chimney Rock Village and Lake Lure) – and we’re so close! I just want to encourage the two communities to continue to work together and connect for the benefit of pedestrians, who are so important to every town’s vitality and health,” said Peter O’Leary, Mayor, Chimney Rock Village
Town of Lake Lure Mayor Carol Pritchett reinforced Mayor O’Leary’s statement, saying, “One thing that is very near and dear to our hearts is connecting Lake Lure and Chimney Rock Village. So much of what’s being done here is the beginning of that connection. We have great plans moving forward to connect the Flowering Bridge to Chimney Rock Village – all these things we do are a part of that and we love it when a plan comes together!
The revitalization of the Lake Lure Town Center Walkway is part of the Rutherford Bound initiative and was funded entirely by a $50,000 grant from the Tourism Development Authority. As there was no funding match from the Town of Lake Lure, there were no taxpayer funds used for this infrastructure project.
“One of the things that’s been truly remarkable about the impact that the TDA and Rutherford Bound has had on all of us and our work in our communities is that we seem to be working together in the county with common plans. We’re looking at things that benefit both communities at the same time, thinking about how we can profit in one place from what’s done in the other, “ said Mayor Pritchett.
Community leaders from the Town of Lake Lure, Chimney Rock Village, Chimney Rock State Park, and Rutherford County gathered on Thursday, November 3rd to celebrate Lake Lure’s newest infrastructure project, the revitalization of the Lake Lure Town Center Walkway. Prior to the ribbon-cutting on the walkway, attendees gathered at the entrance to Lake Lure Beach for greetings and remarks by local officials.
The Lake Lure Town Center Walkway is a walking path of brick pavers that begins at Jack London Road near the ABC Store and crosses the Pool Creek Bridge, which extends to a floating boardwalk through the Washburn Marina. The walkway continues on toward Chimney Rock Village along US 64/74A through the Town of Lake Lure and across the historic Rocky Broad River Bridge, now called the Lake Lure Flowering Bridge. Updates to the Pool Creek Bridge pillars and globe lights were also completed in tandem with the Walkway paving project by George Wittmer, owner of Lake Lure Properties. The pillars and globe lights were restored to their original designs from 1925, when the bridge was built.
This infrastructure project was integral towards increasing pedestrian connectivity in Rutherford County, as it provides walkability between the town center, town hall, and the Flowering Bridge. Additionally, local leaders have identified a pedestrian walkway connecting the Town of Lake Lure and Chimney Rock Village as a much-hoped for priority, and the Walkway revitalization is an important step forward in this process.
“There’s been a lot of talk about connectivity. That’s the key, connecting the two communities (Chimney Rock Village and Lake Lure) – and we’re so close! I just want to encourage the two communities to continue to work together and connect for the benefit of pedestrians, who are so important to every town’s vitality and health,” said Peter O’Leary, Mayor, Chimney Rock Village
Town of Lake Lure Mayor Carol Pritchett reinforced Mayor O’Leary’s statement, saying, “One thing that is very near and dear to our hearts is connecting Lake Lure and Chimney Rock Village. So much of what’s being done here is the beginning of that connection. We have great plans moving forward to connect the Flowering Bridge to Chimney Rock Village – all these things we do are a part of that and we love it when a plan comes together!
The revitalization of the Lake Lure Town Center Walkway is part of the Rutherford Bound initiative and was funded entirely by a $50,000 grant from the Tourism Development Authority. As there was no funding match from the Town of Lake Lure, there were no taxpayer funds used for this infrastructure project.
“One of the things that’s been truly remarkable about the impact that the TDA and Rutherford Bound has had on all of us and our work in our communities is that we seem to be working together in the county with common plans. We’re looking at things that benefit both communities at the same time, thinking about how we can profit in one place from what’s done in the other, “ said Mayor Pritchett.
The Chimney Rock Village Boulders Trail celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony on November 17th. The trail is easily accessible from Main Street and has plentiful parking available. This newly-built, ½ mile trail provides access to 50+ boulder climbing routes showcasing spectacular views of the surrounding Hickory Nut Gorge.
Western North Carolina, particularly the Hickory Nut Gorge around Chimney Rock and Lake Lure, is a major destination for climbers looking for challenges that can’t be found anywhere else in the country.
“When it comes to bouldering opportunities, Hickory Nut Gorge could be the Yosemite of the East; the caveat is that we only have legal permission to climb 20% of it.”
Mike Reardon, Executive Director, Carolina Climbers Coalition
The development of new access points like the Chimney Rock Village Boulders Trail furthers the Carolina Climbers Coalition’s mission of conserving the natural environment, promoting safe climbing and preserving access to climbing areas in the Carolinas.
The trail is a result of a partnership between the Carolina Climber’s Coalition (CCC), Chimney Rock Fire Department, and Chimney Rock Village to establish a trail easement through Village land on Roundtop Mountain. CCC volunteers completed the trail, with primary funding for the project coming from the Rutherford County TDA.
“Trails are good business for Chimney Rock. They provide an activity for our visitors, they open up more of our fantastic beauty to our visitors, and they encourage people to stay in the area longer which potentially translates into more retail sales of food, souvenirs, lodging, etc. Climbers also love our area and bring dollars in as well as providing entertainment to other hikers! Our natural beauty is our number one asset and anything that provides more access to that beauty is good for our businesses as well as our residents.”
Peter O’Leary, Mayor, Chimney Rock Village
Winter is peak season for climbing in Hickory Nut Gorge, inviting visitors into town during a traditionally slow period. The improved access to climbing routes offered by the Chimney Rock Boulders Trail encourages climbing in multiple locations in the Gorge, leading to overnight stays, dining, and shopping in Chimney Rock Village and elsewhere in Rutherford County.
Read more about the Chimney Rock Village Boulders Trail in this article from Mountain Xpress: https://mountainx.com/living/new-climbing-spots-expand-the-sport-in-wnc/
Chimney Rock Village, North Carolina | December 9, 2021--Local leaders celebrated the completion of Phase One of the Chimney Rock Village Streetscape Plan, highlighting significant infrastructure improvements such as a new downtown plaza, redesigned parking and sidewalk areas, the installation of street trees, as well as updates to landscaping and lighting.
“This project is the first step in what we hope will be many streetscape improvements in the Village," Mayor Peter O'Leary told attendees. "We’re a resort town–a cool mountain village–with an old-timey feel. We’re in a beautiful gorge, surrounded by mountains, the State Park, and a gem of a lake just down the road. We’re getting more popular and attracting more visitors all the time."
O'Leary emphasized the importance of the long-needed enhancements for the many visitors who "come here, park their cars and use the Riverwalk, our new trails and our sidewalks. Up until now, the sidewalks and the public gathering spaces in the Village haven’t been kept up and this project is the first step in fixing that issue.”
The Chimney Rock Village Streetscape Plan was developed by the place-based economic development and consulting firm Destination by Design, with extensive input coming from Village leaders, business owners, and other stakeholders.
A key feature now open to the public is the new Village Square, a 3,000 square foot plaza centrally located on Main Street and situated along the banks of the Rocky Broad River. This newly-constructed outdoor space serves as a gateway to the picturesque Riverwalk and provides outdoor furnishings, encouraging visitors to pause in their explorations of Main Street.
A locally-sourced boulder was cut in two and placed at the plaza's entry to echo the iconic Chimney Rock profile and thus tie the constructed space with the surrounding natural world.
Repurposed commemorative pavers from the original Riverwalk entrance along with a large Chimney Rock Village Emblem also feature prominently in the design.
The plaza is a catalyst project for Chimney Rock Village, featuring a number of design elements that will carry through into other phases of redevelopment.
Chimney Rock Village has served for more than 100 years as a classic gateway community whose volume of visitors (more than 260,000 annually) attests to the allure of the natural wonder that is Chimney Rock Park.
Now travelers and residents will have even more to enjoy and the town will have greater capacity. With increased opportunities for outdoor gatherings, for dining and shopping, along with improved parking, traffic flow and walkability, the Chimney Rock Village Streetscape Plan is designed to attract more visitors and encourage longer stays.
“It’s a place for the people who live here to gather and enjoy Chimney Rock Village," said Carol Pritchett, mayor of nearby Lake Lure. "Of course, what’s good for residents is good for visitors. This project makes life better for all of us.”
Don Cason, Executive Director of the Rutherford County Tourism and Development Authority, expressed excitement about this project as a large step toward the economic and quality of life transformation of Rutherford County.
“When you build a better place to live, work, and play, you build a place that people want to visit and when we invest in ourselves, then it brings in new investment," Cason said. "It also brings people who want to visit, and you’ve heard it a number of times–Chimney Rock and Lake Lure are all about the visitors.”
The Chimney Rock Village Streetscape Plan is part of the Rutherford Bound initiative, a bold vision for tourism and economic development in the area. Led by the Rutherford County Tourism Development Authority, the RCTDA and other local leaders seek to revitalize and enhance the quality of life infrastructure across all of Rutherford County through similar streetscape projects, new parks and recreation areas, and a system of greenways, trails, and river access points.
The Chimney Rock Village Streetscape Plan was developed by the place-based economic development and consulting firm Destination by Design, with extensive input coming from Village leaders, business owners, and other stakeholders.
A number of local and county leaders and other stakeholders commemorated the ribbon-cutting event:
Peter O’Leary, Mayor, Chimney Rock Village
Carol Pritchett, Mayor, Lake Lure
Emily Walker, Chimney Rock State Park
James Ledgerwood, Superintendent, Chimney Rock State Park
Eric Woolridge, President, Destination by Design
Wilkie Construction
Dave Long, Rutherford County Tourism and Development Authority
Don Cason, Rutherford Bound & Community Foundation
The complete Chimney Rock Village Streetscape Plan will require multiple phasing and significant fundraising and grantmaking efforts. Interested residents and visitors are encouraged to learn more and make tax-deductible donations.
A re-envisioned streetscape provides a “leap forward” of long-needed improvements and upgrades, promising a heightened experience for travelers and a better community for residents in idyllic Chimney Rock Village– the gateway to one of NC’s most treasured State Parks.
On January 21, government, business, and community leaders, along with project planners, commemorated Phase 1 of the streetscape revitalization project, a bold new step that’s been years in the making.
The project will enhance and expand the decades of forethought and hard work that have made Chimney Rock a worldwide attraction for more than a quarter-million visitors every year.
The streetscape plan will draw together the town’s existing structures and spaces into a more cohesive and walkable experience for visitors. Phase 1 of the project will include a new Riverwalk Plaza between the Gem Mine and Bubba O’Learys. This new 1,200-square-foot plaza will provide for new gathering and seating areas, improved access to the Riverwalk along the First Broad River, street trees, lighting, and parallel parking.
“I want to help develop, protect and showcase the abundant natural resources here and protect it so it can be enjoyed forever. We want to build this as a tourism mecca but also protect and preserve the natural beauty, wonders and resources.”
Peter O'Leary, Mayor of Chimney Rock Village
Citizens, businesses, and local leaders are joining together to implement the Rutherford Bound Master Plan and enhance quality of life for all of Rutherford County. Chimney Rock Park is one such supporter, recognizing the positive impact that this plan will have on their community and the County as a whole.
Chimney Rock Village, which serves as the gateway to Chimney Rock State Park, is implementing a new streetscape design and extending the Rocky Broad Riverwalk to enhance pedestrian access, walkability, and connectivity.
Supporters like Chimney Rock Park recognize that everyone who lives, visits, or works here is a part of this project and that it can only be realized when we are all Rutherford Bound.
