Announcement: Check Presentation for Donations for Improvements at the Yadkin River Park
PRESS RELEASE
Davidson County Government
PO Box 1067, Lexington, NC 27293
Lexington, NC – March 30, 2021 – At its meeting of February 23, 2021, the Davidson County Board of Commissioners approved a donation of $50,000 to Friends of Rowan, who had agreed to match this donation. A check for $100,000 has been issued to TRIP (Tourism Recreation Investment Partnership), to be used by Friends of the Yadkin River Park for improvements to the Yadkin River Park. These improvements to the Park include: installation of a parking lot, creation of a dog park, installation of sidewalks and landscaping of the islands in the parking lot. On this date, a joint ceremony was held at the Yadkin River Park with Davidson County Commissioners and Friends of Rowan to celebrate a matching gift of $100,000 for the continued development of the new park. It was announced this morning at the event that Friends of Rowan was going to double this match, for a total of $150,000 going to Friends of the Yadkin River Park.
The following individuals were on hand to receive the matching gift from Davidson County and Friends of Rowan: Davidson County Commissioners Chair Karen Watford and Steve Shell; Yadkin River Park Committee Chair Paul Mitchell, Former Yadkin River Park Committee Chair Max Walser and members Guy Cornman and Kat Clifton and Spencer Interim Town Planner Joe Morris. Ronnie Smith of Friends of Rowan and TRIP Executive Director Chris Phelps were also on hand to receive the matching gift. To date, over $250,000 has been awarded to the park from Friends of Rowan.
The Yadkin River Park is located on the Yadkin River at Fort York site of one of the last battles of the Civil War. The Wil-Cox Bridge connects Davidson and Rowan Counties and will be the future home of the Carolina Thread Trail and Greenway trails in North Carolina.
Max Walser of Davidson County, past Chairman of the Yadkin River Park, officially celebrated the opening of the park in 2019 with a ribbon-cutting at the Wil-Cox bridge. Walser, who spearheaded the initial stages of the park project, commented, “There is significant military history within a few miles of the Wil-Cox bridge and the new park.” Dating back to the early Spanish explorers, the history of the park includes Native American Indian settlements, Revolutionary War skirmishes between American General Nathanael Greene and British General Cornwallis, one of the last battles of the Civil War, and World War II U.S. Army forces encamped at the site.
According to Davidson County officials, the park averages approximately 600 visitors daily, with peaks during the spring and summer months when recreational activities such as boating, fishing, hiking and camping are popular.
The Davidson County side of the park includes a network of trails, picnic areas, boating ramp, fishing areas and camping facilities. Future amenities include a visitor’s center, playground area, dog park, enlarged parking areas, restrooms and possible museum.
At the check presentation this morning, Mr. Smith stated: “On behalf of Friends of Rowan, we are extremely pleased to be able to announce this morning that an additional grant has just been approved which will allow· us to "triple" match the very generous gift made by the Davidson County Commissioners to our Yadkin River Park. This additional $50,000 gift is being given in honor of Max Walser and Paul Mitchell, the past and current chairmen of the Yadkin River Park Committee for their outstanding leadership of this magnificent project. Friends of Rowan is proud to partner with Davidson County on this historical park which will also serve as a gateway to Rowan County and the North Carolina Transportation Museum in Spencer.”
Davidson County Commissioner Don Truell had the following to report about the check presentation: “The Davidson County historical Yadkin River Park quickly becomes a multi county project with the inclusion of Friends of Rowan participation. We welcome our neighbors into this project. The Yadkin River Park plan can no longer be considered only a Davidson County project. This venture has now morphed into a multi-county tourism venture that will begin attracting statewide attention to our County and this region of North Carolina.”
Davidson County Commissioner Steve Shell had the following to say: “The contribution of so many who believe, in the future of this great County and region, can only lead to a successful conclusion. The future is ours and those of tomorrow await our commitment, decisions and resolve.”
Davidson County Board Chair Karen Watford shared: “The Yadkin River Park has the possibility to become a premiere recreational and historical destination for our citizens and tourists alike. We appreciate the support from the friends of Rowan in helping to make that happen.”
TRIP Executive Director Chris Phelps stated "The Tourism Recreation Investment Partnership for Davidson County is thrilled by the generous contribution by the Davidson County Board of Commissioners and the contribution match through our partnership with Friends of Rowan. In addition to the generous contribution we received today, we are even more excited to announce that Friends of Rowan have committed to matching funds donated to Yadkin River Park between now and June 30th, 2021."
Mitchell said that he hopes all Davidson and Rowan County citizens will get excited about and will support the new park. Future fundraising campaigns are planned for both Rowan and Davidson counties.
According to YRP Chairman Paul Mitchell, “the Yadkin River Park has the potential to be one of the finest parks in the state of North Carolina. It’s an ideal location in the center of the state and along Interstate 85 and Highway 29 and its long tradition of military history make it an educational experience for both children and adults.”
According to Rowan County and Spencer officials, work on the Rowan County side of the river is tentatively scheduled to start this summer with a trailhead from the Wil-Cox Bridge to the Yadkin Community, former site of North Carolina Finishing Company, one of the largest textile mills in the Southeast.
For more information on how you can contribute to the Yadkin River Park and have your donation doubled through our donation matching program with Friends of Rowan, please contact TRIP Executive Director Chris Phelps at director@visitdavidsoncounty.com.
