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/
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.
On Tuesday, leaders cut the ribbon on a $1.45 million Main Street revitalization project in Spindale, North Carolina, as the community joins the future of place-based economic development.
SPINDALE, North Carolina—Leaders of the historic textile community of Spindale are celebrating their beloved small town becoming a thriving source of economic growth in Rutherford County
This ribbon cutting ceremony celebrated the completion of Phase One of the town's streetscape project. The updates include several features such as widened sidewalks, street trees, custom bike racks and benches, street lighting, and new crosswalks linking Main Street to the Thermal Belt Rail Trail. The project represents a significant step toward reviving Spindale's downtown into a memorable stop along the Thermal Belt Rail Trail.
Spindale's vision includes modernized public spaces, enhanced retail opportunities, and heightened pedestrian access to welcome trail users into downtown, making it a primary destination along the nearly 14-mile trail.
Spindale Mayor, Micky Bland, opened his comments by referring to Downtown Spindale as 'rail trail central' because "we are centrally located between the east and west parts of the trail." He included that this is the first major renovation done in Spindale in 100 years.
Spindale's local leadership and community members have spearheaded this project--one of many infrastructure projects throughout Rutherford County that are part of Rutherford Bound (rutherfordbound.com). This countywide tourism development plan aims to revitalize and enhance quality-of-life infrastructure across Rutherford County through streetscape enhancements, improved parks, pedestrian areas, and a system of greenways, trails, and river access points.
"This project is about connecting people with places. It's about connecting the community. It's about placemaking," said Spindale Town Manager Scott Webber. "All of these things are what brings a community together and what makes us a thriving community."
"What the commissioners and leaders have done here is create a platform to grow small businesses and to make entrepreneurship flourish in Rutherford County," said Eric Woolridge, Director of Planning at Destination By Design, the design firm responsible for the project.
Rural communities embracing this type of change are creating exciting new places for visitors, where families can call home, and where businesses and investors can seek growth opportunities.
"The Rutherford Bound initiative is a countywide asset development plan for all of our communities," said Don Cason, director of the Rutherford County Tourism and Development Authority. "From Bostick to Rutherfordton to Chimney Rock to Ellenborough. This is the future of Rutherford County."
Multiple phases will be required to complete the entire Spindale streetscape master plan, and fundraising and grantmaking efforts will continue as the town and community stakeholders work to further realize the funds needed.
Donations are being raised for additional phases. To learn more about financial partnership opportunities and the infrastructure projects underway in Rutherford County, take a look at all of the current projects.
On behalf of the Town of Lake Lure, Rutherford Bound, and the Rutherford County Tourism Development Authority, we would like to remind you about the Ribbon Cutting of the new Lake Lure Boardwalk and Washburn Marina this Friday. Completed in 2020, the new boardwalk now features a durable metal hand railing and walkway with non-slip tread. Connected to the boardwalk are the new boat slips and expanded marina, all built on a floating dock system. This event is a great opportunity to learn about these new improvements, as well as the Town’s plans for future projects.
You can watch the recorded event later that day on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/RutherfordBound
With the addition of The Factory, the KidSenses Museum will become a community destination by providing hands-on, interactive learning experiences for all ages.
We want to provide a framework that stimulates curiosity and gives teens a tool for inquiry.
Executive Director, Willard Whitson
March 18, 2021 - RUTHERFORDTON, NC - On Thursday, the Town of Rutherfordton and officials from across the county and state celebrated a new phase of construction on the downtown interactive learning space known as “The Factory.”
The Factory building and adjacent Discovery garden comprise a 16,000 square feet addition to KidSenses, and will significantly increase the capacity of the well-known Rutherford County educational attraction.
In contrast to the original KidSenses space for young children, The Factory will be a “maker space” for teens and preteens, offering learning tools and technologies such as laser cutters, 3D printers, and robotics. When complete, the space will include a culinary studio where teens can test out recipes and learn cooking skills, a workshop with power tools, as well as a tech lab with advanced tools.
“We want to provide a framework that stimulates curiosity and gives teens a tool for inquiry,” said Executive Director Willard Whitson. He says the facility will also provide family-wide and intergenerational educational and mentorship opportunities.
“We anticipate opportunities for older generations to engage young people intellectually and creatively in mentorship roles,” Whitson said. “There are so many talented and smart people who have knowledge and skills they would love to share.”
This is Phase 2 of a three-phase construction project that will further enhance downtown Rutherfordton as a regional destination. The expansion will make KidSenses Museum a whopping 27,000-square-foot complex in the middle of downtown, and it involves renovating downtown’s historic Red Rock Bottling Facility. This phase also includes a modern elevator and stair tower, facade improvements, and the creation of an exterior Discovery Garden.
Town Manager, Doug Barrick, spoke of the impact that The Factory will have on Rutherfordton.
“When we talk about opportunities in our community; for ways for our youth to stay here, to grow, and to find well-paying jobs, those begin in buildings like this”.
Mandi Williams, Deputy Director of KidSenses, says The Factory addition will further the vision originally set forth as the KidSenses Museum was being realized years ago.
“It’s always been the mission of KidSenses to help children understand themselves and their world better through a hands-on learning experience, and I can’t think of any better way to do that other than the expansion we’re standing in today--The Factory. Through this, we can continue to reach and grow with the children in our community.”
The Factory project is another significant piece of the broader, countywide vision of “Rutherford Bound,” an initiative led by the Rutherford County Tourism Development Authority (RCTDA) and other local leaders to revitalize and enhance quality-of-life infrastructure across all of Rutherford County through streetscape enhancements, improved parks and pedestrian areas, and a system of greenways, trails, and river access points.
"The Factory expansion project is what Rutherford Bound is all about,” says Don Cason, the RCTDA Executive Director, “because when we create a better place to live, work, and play, we create a better place to visit." As part of “Rutherford Bound”, The Factory project will provide for greater visibility, livability, and economic opportunity for all of Rutherford County.
Rutherfordton Mayor, Jimmy Dancy, says the KidSenses Museum and this new addition are a long-held dream-come-true. “It wasn’t too many years ago that some concerned citizens decided it would be good to have activities for young people right on Main Street,” said Mayor Dancy. “That was a terrific idea. It speaks volumes about this community, and everyone involved should take pride in what this has become.”
KidSenses Museum features exhibits aimed at kids ages infancy-10. The museum is currently expanding to include a new maker space workshop called The Factory that appeals to tweens and teens ages 11 and up.
Phase 1 was completed in 2020, which consisted of structural stabilization and remediation; the installation of new energy-efficient windows throughout the building; and new entrances and preparation for Phase 2.
Phase 2 (the most extensive of three phases) commences in February 2021 and will consist of site preparation for and construction of the stair and elevator tower; construction of the new entrance balcony; construction of new restroom facilities and plumbing infrastructure. We anticipate completing this work by the end of summer, 2021.
Feb. 25, 2021 - RUTHERFORDTON, N.C. ––
Today, the town of Rutherfordton celebrated the opening of the newly-constructed Kiwanis Park on 5.7 acres of open space in the heart of Downtown. This project has been a long-term collaborative effort involving local and county leadership, generous support and input from Rutherfordton residents, and from the local chapter of the Kiwanis Club, who purchased the property over 20 years ago.
A true community effort- from packed rooms of interested stakeholders to local donors- the community lent their voice to help create the original vision for the park, which is why local leaders invited others from across the state to commemorate this great community accomplishment.
You are the reason that we had success with this,” said Rutherfordton Mayor Jimmy Dancy, expressing gratitude to the many local leaders, donors, and residents who collaborated to bring about the expansive project. “Take pride in what you see around you. You had a part in making this possible.”
At its Grand Opening, Kiwanis Park will feature green space, walking paths, a covered pavilion, other seating areas, a soon-to-be-finished dog park, and a 10,000 sqft adventure playground that town manager Doug Barrick describes as “the kind of treehouse you always wanted as a kid.” The playground includes a two-story tower with climbing walls for multiple skill levels, a 12 ft tube slide, as well as monkey bars, tire swings, balance beams, an embankment slide, and tree stump hops.
Additionally, the park connects with the 3-mile Purple Martin Greenway to provide pedestrian and bicycle connectivity to Main Street.
“Kiwanis Park effectively completes the original vision for the Purple Martin Greenway by connecting the Crestview Park in the Southern part of Town to Kiwanis Park on the North Side of Town,” Barrick says.
With nearly 75 percent of Rutherfordton residents living within half a mile of the Purple Martin Greenway, the Kiwanis Park project will serve to connect residents and businesses like never before by encouraging trail users to visit the many small businesses located on Main Street. And local leaders are hoping for a real economic impact.
But all of this, marked by the Grand Opening today, is only Phase One for the park, which required $879,000 to build. Indicative of the overwhelming community excitement for the project, at least $46,230 originated as local support, with the remaining funds coming through a combination of statewide grants, the Town of Rutherfordton, Rutherford County, as well as several community organizations and foundations. Scheduled to be finished in April, a state-of-the-art dog park and shelter is specifically being made possible by generous funding from the local Abrams family in honor of their son Marshall.
Requiring an additional $121,000, phase two of the project is planned to include a large gazebo, additional parking, and restrooms, the fundraising for which is now underway.
“What creates a community is the unity between each other. It’s the strength of our relationships,” Barrick said, honoring the generosity of numerous donors. “Today we’re celebrating the success of this community and how we move forward together as a town.”
Dan Hegeman, a long-time member and past president of the Rutherfordton Kiwanis Club said the Kiwanis Park is the culmination of many years of planning and dreaming.
“This is the result of 25 years of efforts beginning in 1994,” Hegeman said, emphasizing the organization's commitment to strengthening the lives and futures of children. “In three more years Rutherfordton Kiwanis will celebrate 100 years as a club in this community. We’re at a historical crossroads, and every life has crossroads. We want to meet children at the crossroads of their lives and help guide them.”
The original Kiwanis Park Master Plan was developed by the consulting firm Destination by Design with extensive input coming from local leaders and business owners. Knight Strategies & Odom Engineering are responsible for the final design and construction of the park.
This project is another significant piece of the broader, countywide vision of “Rutherford Bound”, an initiative led by the Rutherford County Tourism Development Authority (RCTDA) and other local leaders to revitalize and enhance quality-of-life infrastructure across all of Rutherford County through streetscape enhancements, improved parks and pedestrian areas, and a system of greenways, trails, and river access points.
"Kiwanis Park is what Rutherford Bound is all about,” says Don Cason, the RCTDA Executive Director, “when we create a better place to live, work, and play, we create a better place to visit."
Kiwanis Park features green space, walking paths, a covered pavilion, other seating areas, a soon-to-be-finished dog park, and a 10,000 sqft adventure playground that Rutherfordton Town Manager, Doug Barrick, describes as “the kind of treehouse you always wanted as a kid.” The playground includes a two-story tower with climbing walls for multiple skill levels, a 12 ft tube slide, as well as monkey bars, tire swings, balance beams, an embankment slide, and tree stump hops.
Additionally, the park connects with the 3-mile Purple Martin Greenway to provide pedestrian and bicycle connectivity to Main Street.
Facebook's generous support shows the importance of the visionary Rutherford Bound project.
Watch This Video To Learn More
We have some exciting news to share with Rutherford County and our KidSenses family! We are thrilled to share that KidSenses has received a $300,000 grant from the Facebook Forest City Data Center to support our capital campaign for The FACTORY, which includes a 2,000-square-foot Tech Lab, a hands-on, advanced maker space for children. Partnerships like these are so important to KidSenses and help us continue to provide open, engaging spaces for kids and teens to use their imaginations and create new things. Check out this video for more about the project!
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
