Dogs can now run free in Valdese – at least in the new quarter acre Dog Park. At the park’s grand opening, sixty dogs frolicked freely in the grass as more than 100 people watched. The opening was the culmination of Friends of the Valdese Rec and Farris Insurance's efforts over the past 18 months with fundraising (donor list) and managing contractors. (Picture: Farris Insurance Family cutting the ribbon)  Full Story 

Bridge Installation

Thanks to Rep Blackwell, FVR received a direct grant from the NC Office of State Budget and Management for the McGallliard Creek Bridge project. At the May Valdese Town Council meeting, FVR President Beth Heile presented a check for $57,500 to Mayor Charlie Watts for the project.

Following the presentation, Town Council agreed to accept the NC RTP grant for the bridge for $100,000. Additional funding came from the community ($50K) and NC House Speaker Moore with DOT funds ($51K).

With all monies and contract in hand, bridge construction started on Saturday, May 28. After about three weeks of work, FVR and the town will need to do some landscaping and the bridge will be open to the public. Hopefully, our Sunday, July 3 Group Walk at Valdese Lakeside Park will be cross the new bridge and walk the total 2 miles to McGalliard Falls Park! 

The J.C. Draughn High School Construction Classes have been at it again at Valdese Lakeside Park. On May 17, FVR volunteer Eric Heile and DHS Instructor Scott Brackett went to Vulcan Materials to purchase 6 tons of gravel (FVR paid). During the day, classes came to unload the gravel and spread it around the benches that they installed earlier in the year. This will keep the weeds down and keep a rut from forming where people's feet rest. Thankful for this partnership! 

WPC Workday

Thanks to the Waldensian Presbyterian Church for cleaning the cove at Valdese Lakeside Park. This project was planned through their Outreach Committee and inspired by Wade Garrison. The event was open to the public with some FVR members in attendance.

To make sure all trails at Valdese Lakeside Park are in perfect condition, we are creating an adopt-a-trail program. Individuals or Families who take a trail will need to cut or report down trees, cut briars, pickup branches, and weed eat edges if needed. Let Beth know if you would like a trail, or just a section. Already taken -

Also, thanks to our volunteers for continuing to cut grass and weed eat sections of the park as the town ramps up its maintenance of the park. Together we will continue to make the park the best it can be.

Sip & Paint
 

Andrea Skelton with The Levee Brewery and Pub hosted a Sip & Paint event. The painting for the afternoon featured Valdese Lakeside Park as seen from Meditation Point. Keep an eye out for more painting events.

If there is enough interest in this same painting, Andrea will organize another one. Message on FB

Big Bone
 

A fun addition to the dog park is a 6-foot bone that serves as a bench for people and an obstacle for dogs. The bone was funded by former Valdese resident and active community member Diana Crawford in memory of her late husband, Barry, who was a local attorney, and poodle, Whoopi.

Crawford attended the ceremony and reminisced, “Barry and I enjoyed taking our poodles, Whoopi and Bentley, to McGalliard Falls. We often talked about how nice it would be if Valdese had a dog park where they could run free and play with other dogs. Bentley (pictured) and I are happy to see this dream come true.”

Full Parking Lot at VLP

This drone shot by Zakk Heile is the Dog Park Grand Opening Day. But, you often find a full lot on any Saturday or Sunday afternoon. Just one more reminder of the full list of people, foundations and businesses that have made this park possible. We are continuing to take donations for a picnic pavilion on the open green, completed greenway, mountain bike trails, disc golf and more!

Sunday at 3:30 pm  - Join BWF for a “Meet and Greet“ on the Open Green following the 2pm Group Walk. Learn about their mission, history, and how BWF grants make Burke County a better place for women and their families. Bring a lawn chair or blanket plus water, we’ll provide snacks!