Town taking steps to form trail, greenway

Old Fort could have an enhanced network of trails and greenways that would promote the town as a tourist destination and celebrate the natural beauty and mountain heritage that exists there, according to a proposal from the Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina.

The proposal for new trail concepts was presented Monday evening at the Old Fort Board of Aldermen’s regular meeting.

Tom Kenney, land protection director for Foothills Conservancy, and Carol Price, director of the McDowell Tourism Development Authority, spoke to the aldermen about new trail concepts for Old Fort and the mountains around the town.

“We looked at all these great natural lands,” said Kenney. “We tried to create new trails and connect them to existing ones.”

In his presentation, Kenney said a loop trail could be created that would start at Catawba Falls and run toward Ridgecrest and connect to Point Lookout Trail there. The U.S. Forest Service is now working to improve and enhance the tourism potential at Catawba Falls. Hopefully, a trail will be created running to the upper part of Catawba Falls, which is difficult to reach.

“It can only get better and better in terms of tourism,” said Kenney of Catawba Falls.

Furthermore, Kenney and Price recommended that the Assault on Mount Mitchell be expanded or enhanced to draw more people to Old Fort. The Young’s Ridge Trail, also called Kitsuma Trail, offers breathtaking views of the mountains for hikers.

Furthermore, a greenway park could be developed that would run along Mill Creek from the Mountain Gateway Museum to Davidson’s Fort Historic Park. To do this, the town would have to apply for $150,000 in state grant money to pay for the feasibility stud, trail design work and construction. This is similar to what the city of Marion did when it started work on the Joseph McDowell Historical Catawba Greenway.

One part of this proposed greenway would run between the former Old Fort Finishing plant and Interstate 40 and would involve minimal construction because of the level terrain. It would also require little maintenance.

“That’s why it is so appealing,” said Kenney.

Foothills Conservancy wants to work with willing property owners to make this new greenway become a reality.

“It helps your town become more walkable,” said Price.

The town of Old Fort would be the applicant for this $150,000 state grant. Town officials said they support the idea.

“I think it sounds exciting,” said Mayor Pro Tem Sue Gibbs.

“I think everyone’s for it,” said Mayor Garland Norton.

In his presentation, Kenney also talked about the need to celebrate the local mountain music program in Old Fort, calling it “a great thing happening right now.”

However, Old Fort Mountain Music has not been operating since it was shut down last month. The free music program was closed after a visit by the county’s building inspector and fire inspector over some problems with the Rockett building.

Norton told The McDowell News the town only rents out that building and is not involved with the program and how it is run. He said Old Fort Mountain Music has its own board and president.

“I don’t know what their plans are,” he said.

In other business, Alderman Charles Pyles said he’s taken a look at Old Fort Cemetery and its condition. “It looks OK to me,” he said. “If anybody has any concerns, please let me know or the Maintenance Department know.”

Civic leader Otis Keaton announced that an unveiling ceremony of the sign for the newly renamed Albert Joyner Drive will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 3. Baptist Side Road has been renamed in honor of the late Joyner, who stepped up to lead black children in the first attempt to integrate Old Fort School in 1955. Joyner “risked and suffered threats and bodily harm for his heroic stand,” according to a proclamation from the town.

The proclamation declares Saturday, March 3 as Albert Joyner Day in Old Fort.

The Old Fort Aldermen then held a closed session for about an hour with representatives of the Old Fort Mountain Heritage Alliance. The purpose of the closed session was to “prevent the premature disclosure of an honorary degree, scholarship, prize or similar award,” according to Norton.

No action was taken by the board regarding the subject of the closed session.

But the aldermen did take action Monday regarding the personnel at Town Hall. Alderman Wayne Stafford made a motion to hire a part-time worker to help. His motion passed 3-2 with Pyles and Alderman Greg Piercy voting against.

At its Monday, Jan. 9 meeting, the Old Fort Board of Aldermen voted 4-1 to eliminate the position of town clerk and tax collector and use that money to hire two part-time police officers for the weekends. This action left Town Clerk Jennifer Hemphill suddenly without a job and made Finance Officer Renee Taylor the only person working at Town Hall. Taylor had to take on Hemphill’s duties as well as keeping her own.

At Monday’s meeting, Stafford made another motion to make Taylor the new town clerk. She will still have to be the town’s finance officer, too. This motion passed unanimously.