The community of Chimney Rock Village came together on Tuesday, April 16 for a groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate Phase Two of its Streetscape Project. Government officials, project leaders, local business owners, and residents gathered to celebrate the event with a ceremonial first dig and speeches from key stakeholders.
The streetscape project is designed to improve the safety, accessibility, and aesthetics of Main Street while preserving the community’s small town charm and longstanding history as a destination in North Carolina. Situated along the Rocky Broad River and surrounded by the picturesque Hickory Nut Gorge, the Chimney Rock Village is the gateway into Chimney Rock State Park, which draws more than a quarter million visitors annually.
“The streetscape improvements will have a tremendous impact on the local tourism economy,” said Don Cason, Executive Director of the Rutherford County Tourism Development Authority. “These enhancements will help make a great first impression on visitors, boost the curb appeal of Main Street businesses, and encourage longer stays and repeat visits to Chimney Rock and Rutherford County.”
Phase One of the streetscape project–completed in November 2021–replaced portions of the town's badly deteriorated public infrastructure for a safer, more walkable Main Street that highlights the view of the Rocky Broad River. This next phase of improvements will build on the success of Phase One by continuing the previously established sidewalk pattern with an additional 650 linear feet, as well as adding new street lamps and trees. The plans will improve parking and walkability along Main Street, while preserving familiar elements like stone benches that are part of the Village’s distinct charm.
J. Meliski, Senior Project Manager with McGill Associates, described the care that was taken to elevate Main Street without erasing its uniqueness. “This has been an exciting thing to see,” he said. “It's not changing the fabric of the Village, but it is making it more user-friendly. The overall intent of our design and the end result is to improve pedestrian safety, flow and accessibility.”
Phase Two will include infrastructure changes to safeguard people and property along the main thoroughfare of the Village. Plans include the removal of an unsafe crosswalk and significant enhancements to the stormwater management system to protect buildings and shops from excessive runoff.
The streetscape project is a key part of Rutherford Bound’s work to invest in public spaces, helping bolster tourism in our county and improve quality of life for residents in our communities. Looking to the future, Chimney Rock Village will be a key feature of this destination area in Western North Carolina, as the development of the new Hickory Nut Gorge State Trail system draws outdoor enthusiasts from across the state.
“Chimney Rock Village has partnered with Rutherford Bound and they recognize that access is critical to getting people into the Hickory Nut Gorge, where over 50 miles of state trail are planned,” said James Ledgerwood, Superintendent of Chimney Rock State Park. “The village streetscape is important in creating an atmosphere where people can stop and have a jump-off point to access all these trails.”
Local business owners like Jessie Callaway of the Village Scoop are excited about the upgrades they’re seeing from their storefronts because of the streetscape project. “This will streamline the parking and make our spaces more updated and safer so that people can move more freely through the village,” Jessie remarked. “There's a lot of really cool traditions and good memories that have developed here and I think that this is really going to help more people make those memories.”
The Chimney Rock Village Streetscape Project is part of the Rutherford Bound initiative and was funded by Chimney Rock Village, Rutherford County TDA, Appalachian Regional Commission, and private donations.
Mayor Peter O’Leary addressed attendees at the groundbreaking ceremony. “This project is due to the successful collaboration of sponsoring agencies,” he said. “We’re excited to continue building on the success of the Phase One Streetscape Project.”
Community leaders and key stakeholders involved in the streetscape project took up shovels for the ceremonial first dig that marked the beginning of Phase Two.
The community of Chimney Rock Village came together on Tuesday, April 16 for a groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate Phase Two of its Streetscape Project. Government officials, project leaders, local business owners, and residents gathered to celebrate the event with a ceremonial first dig and speeches from key stakeholders.
The streetscape project is designed to improve the safety, accessibility, and aesthetics of Main Street while preserving the community’s small town charm and longstanding history as a destination in North Carolina. Situated along the Rocky Broad River and surrounded by the picturesque Hickory Nut Gorge, the Chimney Rock Village is the gateway into Chimney Rock State Park, which draws more than a quarter million visitors annually.
“The streetscape improvements will have a tremendous impact on the local tourism economy,” said Don Cason, Executive Director of the Rutherford County Tourism Development Authority. “These enhancements will help make a great first impression on visitors, boost the curb appeal of Main Street businesses, and encourage longer stays and repeat visits to Chimney Rock and Rutherford County.”
Phase One of the streetscape project–completed in November 2021–replaced portions of the town's badly deteriorated public infrastructure for a safer, more walkable Main Street that highlights the view of the Rocky Broad River. This next phase of improvements will build on the success of Phase One by continuing the previously established sidewalk pattern with an additional 650 linear feet, as well as adding new street lamps and trees. The plans will improve parking and walkability along Main Street, while preserving familiar elements like stone benches that are part of the Village’s distinct charm.
J. Meliski, Senior Project Manager with McGill Associates, described the care that was taken to elevate Main Street without erasing its uniqueness. “This has been an exciting thing to see,” he said. “It's not changing the fabric of the Village, but it is making it more user-friendly. The overall intent of our design and the end result is to improve pedestrian safety, flow and accessibility.”
Phase Two will include infrastructure changes to safeguard people and property along the main thoroughfare of the Village. Plans include the removal of an unsafe crosswalk and significant enhancements to the stormwater management system to protect buildings and shops from excessive runoff.
The streetscape project is a key part of Rutherford Bound’s work to invest in public spaces, helping bolster tourism in our county and improve quality of life for residents in our communities. Looking to the future, Chimney Rock Village will be a key feature of this destination area in Western North Carolina, as the development of the new Hickory Nut Gorge State Trail system draws outdoor enthusiasts from across the state.
“Chimney Rock Village has partnered with Rutherford Bound and they recognize that access is critical to getting people into the Hickory Nut Gorge, where over 50 miles of state trail are planned,” said James Ledgerwood, Superintendent of Chimney Rock State Park. “The village streetscape is important in creating an atmosphere where people can stop and have a jump-off point to access all these trails.”
Local business owners like Jessie Callaway of the Village Scoop are excited about the upgrades they’re seeing from their storefronts because of the streetscape project. “This will streamline the parking and make our spaces more updated and safer so that people can move more freely through the village,” Jessie remarked. “There's a lot of really cool traditions and good memories that have developed here and I think that this is really going to help more people make those memories.”
The Chimney Rock Village Streetscape Project is part of the Rutherford Bound initiative and was funded by Chimney Rock Village, Rutherford County TDA, Appalachian Regional Commission, and private donations.
Mayor Peter O’Leary addressed attendees at the groundbreaking ceremony. “This project is due to the successful collaboration of sponsoring agencies,” he said. “We’re excited to continue building on the success of the Phase One Streetscape Project.”
Community leaders and key stakeholders involved in the streetscape project took up shovels for the ceremonial first dig that marked the beginning of Phase Two.
In 2024, residents of Rutherford County will have a new way to play! Plans are in motion for the construction of Norris Recreation Complex, a 50-acre park that will include a disc golf course, hiking and biking trails, a picnic shelter, and other amenities.
The disc golf course will be the highlight of the enhancements currently being planned for the Norris Recreation Complex. With 18 holes and tee pads ranging from beginner to advanced levels, the course will welcome players of every level. At the Norris Recreation Complex, competitive disc golfers can challenge their skills and families can try the sport for the first time on a 21-hole par 3 beginner course.
"The courses we're designing will provide disc golf opportunities for all ages, no matter your ability," said Doug Barrick, the Town Manager of Rutherfordton. "It's a great way to get outside to spend quality time with the people you love."
Plentiful parking, as well as landscaping, restrooms, directional signs, and lighting will ensure that Norris Park is a comfortable and safe place for residents and visitors to enjoy. Sheltered picnic tables and both paved and unpaved paths will invite disc golfers to stay for a hike or a packed lunch after they finish their game.
The Town of Rutherfordton has contracted with Destination by Design (DbD), a Boone-based planning and design firm, to oversee the project. DbD will work with Ace Place a NC-based disc golf design company, to implement the course plan.
The acreage that will become Norris Park was originally developed as the Rutherfordton Golf Course in 1929 by Dr. Henry Norris. In the late thirties, Dr. Norris donated it to the town of Rutherfordton for use as a public golf course. But after decades of use, the level of play at the course gradually declined until it closed in late 2018.
This beautiful spot of land, with sloping hills, a stream, and hardwood and evergreen trees, has been unused for nearly five years. The Rutherfordton Town Council believed the property should continue to be a recreational asset for the citizens of Rutherfordton, and encouraged the public to join the conversation as a vision was created for this outdoor space.
Working together, the town council, local citizens, grantors, and other stakeholders, have crafted a plan that will serve as a broader influence than the park's previous use, and will expand the recreational opportunities for people of all ages and abilities.
Norris Recreation Complex is being funded by grants from the RHI Legacy Foundation, the North Carolina Parks and Recreation Trust Fund, and the Carolina Foothills Foundation, as well as support from the Rutherford County TDA and the Rutherford County Recreation Fund.
"Here in Rutherford County we love the outdoors, and this is just one more opportunity to get out there," said Adam Thomas, a member of the Town of Rutherfordton's Parks and Recreation Committee.
