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.
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.
August 25th - Leadership and community members of the town of Lake Lure cut the ribbon on a newly-constructed parking and access area at Buffalo Creek Trailhead that more than triples available parking and links adventurers and outdoor athletes to the beloved and rugged bike and foot paths of Weed Patch Mountain and surrounding wild areas adjacent to Lake Lure and Chimney Rock State Park.
The project was funded through the support of matching donations of $40,000 from both the Town of Lake Lure and the Rutherford County TDA, as well as financial gifts from the Rumbling Bald Resort, and from proceeds from the annual "Rumble" bouldering competition held in the area by the Carolina Climbers Coalition. Wilderness trail access and the economic boon for Lake Lure and the surroundings are among the key objectives for those who have advocated for this and other projects in this part of Western North Carolina.
This trailhead parking project is one of more than a dozen envisioned in an ongoing cooperation between the municipalities in Rutherford County and the county's Tourism Development Authority as part of the Rutherford Bound initiative.
The redesigned trailhead area also provides areas for picnicking equipped with ADA-compatible picnic tables.
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.
A Celebration of Rutherford County History
The Town of Ellenboro has made a giant stride towards preserving the rich textile history of Rutherford County by acquiring the Colfax Cotton Gin property with plans to reimagine the space as a public park and gathering space.
The area around the Town of Ellenboro, originally called Colfax Township, located in Rutherford County, is steeped in culture and history -- based largely on agriculture and the Industrial Revolution. In 1880, the Seaboard Air Line Railway built a line from Wilmington, NC to Rutherfordton and along the way, several new towns were established, one of which was the Town of Ellenboro, named after the daughter of an engineer from the Seaboard RR.
Several historic sites still stand in Ellenboro. With the Town's long history of civic pride and past celebrations such as Big Days, the Colfax Free Fair, and the Fiddler's Conventions, the Town is now working to preserve their history and renew interest in local landmarks with enormous potential as cultural and recreational assets.
The Old Ellenboro Train Depot
The Old Ellenboro Train Depot first served the community's needs beginning around 1905 and was an important transportation hub for decades. Today, the train still runs nearby, but the original depot building now serves as the Colfax Museum, a unique attraction full of local history and originally directed by former town alderman, Mike Rhyne.
The Ellenboro Presbyterian Church
The Ellenboro Presbyterian Church was established in 1914 and served an important and active role in the community for more than a century. After closing in 2018, the Church has now been restored to its former glory and is once again an honorable cornerstone of the community
The Colfax Cotton Gin
When the Colfax Cotton Gin was built in 1928, the area became known for cotton production, which provided a livelihood for many area residents. After operating for more than 80 years, the gin eventually fell victim to industrial and economic changes. Although no longer an operating gin, as a result of its recent acquisition by the Town of Ellenboro, the site will soon get a new life as a public park and gathering space. Preliminary plans for the site are currently being developed.
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.
Students from Rutherford County Schools (RCS) & their families joined Watts Water employees, RCS staff, and other community leaders to celebrate the installation of a 1000-foot banner featuring student artwork along a busy section of the Thermal Belt Rail Trail (TBRT).
The ribbon was cut by Ritchie Garland, Director of Marketing & Community Relations for Rutherford County Schools during a ceremony held on Friday, May 20th. The installation of the banner was timed to coincide with the end of the school year, so students could view their artwork along the TBRT before school let out for summer vacation.
Garland went on to thank the teachers involved in the project, noting that when he emailed them requesting student involvement on this project, they immediately began working with their students to produce the artwork for this incredible public art installation. Students who contributed artwork gathered during the ribbon cutting to be recognized for their creativity and hard work.
Located along a heavily-trafficked section of the TBRT, the Watts Water facility installed the artwork and upgraded landscaping in an effort to beautify and improve their area bordering the trail. Additionally, Watts Water employees came up with the idea to partner with the local school system for the artwork that now hangs from the fence separating the facility from the trail.
“This project is an example of a true collaborative effort. Combining the talents of the students with the support from Watts, the Thermal Belt Rail Trail Partners, and the Rutherford County TDA has resulted in a great enhancement to the trail.” said Ron Hancock, Senior Planner at Destination by Design, an economic development and planning firm that helped facilitate the project.
In 2021, the Thermal Belt Rail Trail Partners, an alliance of local leaders responsible for the management of the trail, adopted the Thermal Belt Rail Trail Enhancement Master Plan, identifying several areas slated for improvement, including: trail access & safety, signage, public art, and landscaping. The stretch of trail alongside the Watts Water facility is one of the areas that was suggested for improvement; spurring Watts Water leadership to team up as a corporate sponsor of Rutherford Bound to complete this project.
Community partners like Meta are absolutely crucial to the Rutherford Bound initiative! However, the impact of partners like these goes beyond the obvious monetary benefits -- the presence of an engaged and supportive community is what truly makes Rutherford County so special.
As we enter into Phase Two of Rutherford Bound, we look forward to continuing to strengthen our community by making strategic infrastructure improvements across the county. This is an amazing opportunity for all of the towns to come together and make this a better community for visitors and residents alike.
