It's been a while since we re-introduced ourselves, so we thought it was time to take a deep dive into Rutherford Bound and all of the work we're doing in Rutherford County!
Rutherford Bound is a collaborative effort between the Rutherford County Tourism Development Authority (TDA) and the county's towns and municipalities. Through this initiative, these community stakeholders are working together to create a vision for the future of Rutherford County, and make it an even better place to live, work, and play.
So, who is Rutherford Bound for, how does it work, and what comes next? Read on and learn more...
Visionaries from each community in Rutherford County come together to envision and execute projects that will enrich the lives of the people who live here. Families are already enjoying new recreational spaces like the Thermal Belt Rail Trail, Kiwanis Park and the Purple Martin Greenway, and more projects are underway.
Sites like Chimney Rock and Lake Lure have long been travel destinations for visitors. But locals know that Rutherford County has even more to offer. Rutherford Bound is revitalizing and enhancing lesser-known areas of the county so tourists get a true taste of this beautiful part of North Carolina. Don Cason, Executive Director for the Rutherford County TDA says it best, "When you build a better place to live, work, and play, you build a place people want to visit."
The projects of Rutherford Bound - vibrant streetscapes, city parks, and lush greenways - are paid for in part by occupancy tax collected on all overnight stays by visitors to Rutherford County. This 'bed tax' on short-term lodging, such as hotels, B&Bs, and vacation home rentals is funneled back into local towns and municipalities.
State law requires that two-thirds of these funds are used for program administration and marketing, to encourage more visitors to come experience Rutherford County. The remaining one-third of tax revenue is spent on capital projects, recreational infrastructure, and other improvements that enhance life for residents and draw visitors to the region.
In addition to occupancy tax revenue, townships and municipalities in Rutherford County contribute portions of their budget to Rutherford Bound Projects. Grant money, capital campaigns, and private donors have also provided significant contributions. You can learn more about how Rutherford Bound is funded here.
Rutherford Bound has already put some incredible projects on the map, but there is much more to come. The Factory! at KidSenses Children's Museum on Main Street in Rutherfordton will be a major destination in Western North Carolina. In Spindale, a new 7,500 square foot skate park and pump track will draw outdoor enthusiasts of all skill levels from across the region. And charming Chimney Rock Village will continue their enhancements with an inviting new streetscape that encourages visitors to linger.
Now that you know a little more about Rutherford Bound, we hope you'll stay tuned to hear more about the latest projects and updates. Follow us on Instagram @RutherfordBound, and check back here to see what's next!
It's been a while since we re-introduced ourselves, so we thought it was time to take a deep dive into Rutherford Bound and all of the work we're doing in Rutherford County!
Rutherford Bound is a collaborative effort between the Rutherford County Tourism Development Authority (TDA) and the county's towns and municipalities. Through this initiative, these community stakeholders are working together to create a vision for the future of Rutherford County, and make it an even better place to live, work, and play.
So, who is Rutherford Bound for, how does it work, and what comes next? Read on and learn more...
Visionaries from each community in Rutherford County come together to envision and execute projects that will enrich the lives of the people who live here. Families are already enjoying new recreational spaces like the Thermal Belt Rail Trail, Kiwanis Park and the Purple Martin Greenway, and more projects are underway.
Sites like Chimney Rock and Lake Lure have long been travel destinations for visitors. But locals know that Rutherford County has even more to offer. Rutherford Bound is revitalizing and enhancing lesser-known areas of the county so tourists get a true taste of this beautiful part of North Carolina. Don Cason, Executive Director for the Rutherford County TDA says it best, "When you build a better place to live, work, and play, you build a place people want to visit."
The projects of Rutherford Bound - vibrant streetscapes, city parks, and lush greenways - are paid for in part by occupancy tax collected on all overnight stays by visitors to Rutherford County. This 'bed tax' on short-term lodging, such as hotels, B&Bs, and vacation home rentals is funneled back into local towns and municipalities.
State law requires that two-thirds of these funds are used for program administration and marketing, to encourage more visitors to come experience Rutherford County. The remaining one-third of tax revenue is spent on capital projects, recreational infrastructure, and other improvements that enhance life for residents and draw visitors to the region.
In addition to occupancy tax revenue, townships and municipalities in Rutherford County contribute portions of their budget to Rutherford Bound Projects. Grant money, capital campaigns, and private donors have also provided significant contributions. You can learn more about how Rutherford Bound is funded here.
Rutherford Bound has already put some incredible projects on the map, but there is much more to come. The Factory! at KidSenses Children's Museum on Main Street in Rutherfordton will be a major destination in Western North Carolina. In Spindale, a new 7,500 square foot skate park and pump track will draw outdoor enthusiasts of all skill levels from across the region. And charming Chimney Rock Village will continue their enhancements with an inviting new streetscape that encourages visitors to linger.
Now that you know a little more about Rutherford Bound, we hope you'll stay tuned to hear more about the latest projects and updates. Follow us on Instagram @RutherfordBound, and check back here to see what's next!
Rutherford County's network of hiking trails, greenways, and blueways are the result of a collaborative effort between a team of trail partners working to build and maintain these outdoor spaces. Each partner has a crucial role to play in making Rutherford County's trails safe and enjoyable for residents and visitors.
Rutherford Bound invests in local trails -- greenways, blueways, and hiking trails -- that make the county an even better place to live, work, and play. By funding the construction and improvement of area trails, Rutherford Bound is improving the quality of life for residents and actively attracting more visitors to the area. Rutherford Bound has also formed the Rutherford County Trails Collaborative, a group of stakeholders with the goal of guiding trail infrastructure development in the county. By providing a framework of organization, leadership, and teamwork, Rutherford Bound is moving outdoor recreation and trail construction forward in Rutherford County.
Conservancies help to secure land where trails are built and work to oversee the maintenance of existing trails. They have a hand in the design and layout of new trails and contract with trail builders for construction. Foothills Conservancy and Conserving Carolina are instrumental in trail building, preservation, and upkeep in Rutherford County. Because it is their primary mission to preserve and protect land, water, and wildlife, these conservancy groups are valuable trail partners.
State Parks offer protected areas of land where new trails can be built and are the site of numerous existing trails for visitors to enjoy. Combined, Chimney Rock State Park and South Mountain State Park oversee, upkeep, and maintain more than 63 miles of hiking trails for some 800,000 visitors each year.
Towns and Municipalities in Rutherford County advocate for new trails for residents and visitors to enjoy. They are also responsible for the long-term maintenance of trails within their borders. During the past seven years, towns in Rutherford County have come together like never before to create new greenways, and hiking & biking trails. These towns know that, if they invest in trails and outdoor spaces, their communities will reap an outstanding economic return. In addition to creating more attractive communities, every $1 spent on trail construction returns $1.72 annually to local businesses.
Rutherford Outdoor Coalition (ROC) promotes outdoor recreation across Rutherford County by building and developing new trails, and protecting existing ones. ROC advocates for expanding trail opportunities and mobilizes volunteers to do trail work. By organizing local recreation groups, holding monthly meetings, and circulating information, ROC is an instrumental trail partner in Rutherford County. Additionally, the Carolina Climbers Coalition is a valuable partner in building and maintaining climbing routes and the necessary access trails.
Working together, Rutherford Bound and each of these trail partners are improving the quality of life for residents, attracting visitors to the area, and enhancing the outdoor experience that already surrounds us in Rutherford County.
2023 NC Year of the Trail celebrates North Carolina's vast network of trails, greenways, and blueways which showcase our diverse landscapes - grand mountain vistas, quiet rivers, vibrant urban greenways, coastal forests, and the rolling hills of the piedmont. Rutherford County is proud to participate in this statewide effort -- and is kicking off 2023 by celebrating NC First Day Outdoors, an event encouraging everyone to get outside and try a trail!
Lake Lure & the Blue Ridge Foothills is inviting everyone to participate in their First Day Outdoors contest by getting outside on one of the amazing trails Rutherford County has to offer (like the Thermal Belt Rail Trail, Purple Martin Greenway, Buffalo Creek Park, or Broad River Paddle Trail). All you have to do is pick your trail, pick your activity, snap a picture, and tag @visitlakelureblueridgenc (IG) or @LakeLureBRF (FB) when you post it. Walking, biking, hiking, running, horseback riding, and even paddling are all acceptable trail activities.
You can also participate in Chimney Rock State Park's First Day Hike and kick off the new year at Chimney Rock State Park. A Park Ranger will offer an informative discussion about the Park's history while the group strolls, hikes, or bikes up to the 3.2-mile entrance road. Usually restricted to motor vehicle traffic only, there will be no cars in your way if you show up for this special, early morning hike.
Jan. 1st, 2023, 8-10am | Chimney Rock State Park Entrance | Old Rock Cafe 431 Main Street Chimney Rock, NC 28720
How to Enter the Contest:
Five winners will be chosen to receive a Rutherford County Tourism Development Authority canvas tote swag bag that includes:
Rutherford Bound has been busy! We have completed several projects, including:
And now, Rutherford Bound needs your help to reach our 2022 Year End Giving goals. We are actively raising money for several projects across Rutherford County, including:
As you can see, Rutherford Bound is building a better place to live, work, and play right here in Rutherford County. You can help bring these projects to life by giving a gift that will keep giving for generations to come.
The Town of Spindale is soon- to- be home to Rutherford County's newest recreation space: The Spindale Flow Park (working name). The region's first skatepark and pump track is being built in Downtown Spindale, at the intersection of East Main and Steward Streets on 1.6 acres of land generously donated by the Spindale United Methodist Church. The proximity of the Flow Park to Downtown Spindale and the Thermal Belt Rail Trail is an excellent opportunity to bring a new user group to downtown and the TBRT.
The Town of Spindale has contracted with DbD, a Boone-based planning and design firm, to oversee the project. The American Ramp Company, a national leader in skatepark design, will be responsible for the final design and construction of the skatepark and pump track.
Since the original plans were released in March of 2022, the site layout and preliminary grading plan have been completed, along with initial branding and visual identity. Additionally, early plans for furnishings and landscaping have been released.
New additions to the plans include combined skatepark features and an open plaza, a staircase with bleacher seating, and lower single stall restroom (in addition to the two-stall restroom already called for in the additional plan).
The Spindale Flow Park is funded by investments from Meta and the RHI Legacy Foundation, as well as monies from the Town of Spindale TDA Fund, Spindale TDA match, Rutherford Bound/ Rutherford County Tourism Development Authority, and the Parks & Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF).
The Town of Spindale was awarded the $425,000 PARTF Grant in August of 2022 to build the skatepark and pump track and assist with achieving the following goals:
In 2022, the Town of Lake Lure and the Carolina Climbers Coalition began working to open a newly-discovered boulder field within Buffalo Creek Park. Once finished, this boulder field will be far more extensive than the existing Loop Trail Boulders, containing potential for 200+ problems (bouldering challenges) and 20-30 roped routes.
Access to the Upper Creek Boulders has been opened up via the Upper Boulders Trail, which is currently under construction. While this trail was primarily created to serve climbing access, it is also an interesting hiking trail in a previously inaccessible section of the Hickory Nut Gorge.
The Buffalo Creek Loop Trail Boulders and the new Buffalo Creek Upper Boulders Trailhead can be found off of Buffalo Creek Road, while Rumbling Bald Climbing Access Area can be found the Rumbling Bald Trailhead within Chimney Rock State Park.
The Upper Boulders Trail is located within Buffalo Creek Park in the Town of Lake Lure, and once finished, will be a 1.4 mile trail branching off of the existing Buffalo Creek Park Loop Trail. The moderately strenuous trail will gain approximately 500 feet of elevation and will pass boulders and small cliffs that are desirable for bouldering and roped climbing. The wildflowers, cascading creeks, abundant wildlife, remote forest, and summit views will be an attraction for hikers and climbers alike.
The Carolina Climbers Coalition is working on this trail weekly and is looking for volunteer and financial support for this project; for more information, please visit their website. This project is being funded by a grant from the RHI Foundation and the Rutherford County TDA, as part of Rutherford Bound's Year of the Trail initiative.
Additionally, the Upper Boulders Trail is now included in the Pisgah Map Company's Trail Guide to Hickory Nut Gorge, which can be purchased here.
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.
On Thursday, July 28th, Mayor Carol Pritchett from the Town of Lake Lure cut the ribbon to officially celebrate the grand opening of the newly renovated overlook and walkway at Morse Park. Rutherford County residents, along with Town and County officials gathered in the Park gazebo to hear more about the improvements made in the park and walk along the newly-upgraded pathway along the shoreline of Lake Lure.
Visitors to Morse Park are offered a sweeping views of Lake Lure and the dramatic landscapes of Hickory Nut Gorge. The new Overlook Walkway provides the perfect spot to stop and take in the scenery or snap a few photos to commemorate their visit. The open grassy fields and recreation facilities of Morse Park are a popular community gathering spot, drawing visitors and town residents alike. With a large paved parking lot, restrooms, airy gazebo, and plenty of level ground, Morse Park is an ideal location for athletic events, festivals, and other outdoor recreation activities.
The Town has installed a new seawall along the shoreline of the lake, with an improved viewing area and new hand railings to ensure visitor safety. In place of the original walkway, new pavers have been installed around the gazebo to provide a safe and level walking surface for all visitors. This project was completed as part of the Rutherford Bound initiative, with the Rutherford County TDA granting 143,750 towards the project, which was matched by the Town of Lake Lure.
The Town of Lake Lure and neighboring Chimney Rock Village have worked collaboratively on many projects to their mutual benefit. Chimney Rock Village Mayor Peter O'Leary offered his sincere appreciation for the park improvements and congratulations on a job well done.
Rutherford Bound is a county-wide tourism development plan to revitalize and enhance quality- of- life infrastructure across all of Rutherford County through streetscape enhancements, improved parks, and a system of greenways, trails, and river access points.
Rutherfordton City Manager Doug Barrick, Spindale Town Manager Scott Webber, and Forest City Town Manager Janet Mason welcomed WLOS (Asheville, NC) to film several installments of their popular Road Trippin' segment.
In an episode especially dedicated to discussing Rutherford Bound initiatives occurring in the Main Street Region (Rutherfordton, Spindale, and Forest City), WLOS spoke briefly about several accomplishments completed during Rutherford Bound Phase One.
They also covered upcoming projects that have been identified for Rutherford Bound Phase Two, like The Factory in Rutherfordton, the Spindale Skatepark & Pump Track, and the Forest City Farmer's Market/ Park Square Depot.
You can watch all of the WLOS Road Trippin' segments filmed in Rutherford County by visiting their website.
