1.1.1
Produce a comprehensive
blueway
plan that addresses
locations, access area design, and blueway management for the North Toe River Paddle Trail.
and
1.1.3 Access Area Development. Explore additional access area opportunities upstream of Spruce Pine and on the existing paddle trail in Mitchell, Avery, and Yancey Counties.
Landowner Engagement. Identify potential sites and engage landowners to determine interest in access area development.
1.1.5 Business Development. Seek entrepreneurs to explore general outdoor recreation retail, outfitting, and shuttle services focused on paddling and fishing.
1.2.1 Landowner Engagement. Identify potential sites along NC 226 or NC 226A in close proximity to Loafers Glory and engage landowners to determine interest in partnering with a local government or conservation organization to create a public park that serves as a gateway and information node for the Toe and Nolichucky Rivers and the Appalachian Trail.
1.2.2 Toe River Basecamp. Support local business owners with service expansion and the implementation of the North Toe River Adventure Hub illustrative master plan.
1.3 River Corridor Restoration & Resiliency Planning
1.3.1 Restoration. Partner with MountainTrue and other local organizations to support Hurricane Helene clean-up efforts, active riverbank stabilization, and natural restoration.
1.3.2 Planning. Engage government agencies and non-profit partners in developing a strategic plan aimed at reducing flood risk and enhancing the long-term resilience of the river corridor.
2.1.1 Museum of North Carolina Minerals. Partner with NPS and McDowell County TDA to operate the Visitor Center at MP 331 and promote destinations, lodging, and businesses in Mitchell County.
2.2.1 Carvers Gap Trailhead Improvements. Collaborate with the USFS, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, and Roan Highlands Visitor Use Management Committee to develop and implement an illustrative master plan focused on parking, vehicular and pedestrian circulation, signage, and support facilities to improve visitor safety and better manage peak visitation to help protect the natural environment.
2.2.2 Roan Highlands Regional Destination Center. Partner with USFS, Carter County, TN, and key stakeholders to support a destination center in the existing facility at the Roan Mountain Recreation Area that offers interpretive exhibits, promotes regional attractions and businesses, and presents educational programming.
2.2.3 Roan Mountain Recreation Area Management and Operation. Partner with Carter County, TN, to provide temporary restrooms to expand the season of use from Memorial Day until September 30 to March 1 until October 31. Partner with key stakeholders to conduct a feasibility study that explores operating a shuttle service from the Roan Mountain Day Use Area to Carvers Gap.
2.3.3
Bike and Pedestrian Improvements. Explore sidewalk connectivity, sharrows, bike lanes, and intersection improvements to connect key assets including Downtown, Beaver Creek District (proposed), Riverside and Riverbend Parks, YMCA, Blue Ridge Boutique Hotel, Cross Street Commerce Center, and Three Peaks Enrichment Center.
3.1.4 Beaver Creek District Development. Conduct outreach to private landowners and gauge interest in potential mixeduse development/redevelopment opportunities to include commercial and residential uses, green space, greenway, and trail connectivity. Develop a custom visual identity and brand for the district.
3.2.1 Creekwalk. Support the planned reconstruction and enhancement of the Bakersville Creekwalk, incorporating designated activity nodes, improved pedestrian connectors, and an extension to the Wade Tipton Memorial Ballpark, while evaluating the potential rebranding of the corridor as the Cane Creek Greenway.
3.2.2 Town Square Development. Support local plans for the implementation of Town Square - Phase I within the new community hub.
3.2.3 Downtown Park. Support plans for the implementation of a park within the downtown hub on public property at the southwest corner of the intersection of Crimson Laurel Lane and South Mitchell Avenue with the goal of creating a Bakersville Adventure/Information Hub with a focus on the North Toe River, Roan Mountain, and the Rhododendron Festival.
3.2.4 Southern Gateway and Crimson Laurel Lane Streetscape. Design and implement a gateway at the intersection of Crimson Laurel Lane (NC 226), South Mitchell Avenue, and Buchanan Drive with traffic calming measures like a roundabout and/or gateway signage on the Bakersville Creekwalk Trailhead parcel. Explore streetscape enhancements including roadside swales to manage stormwater volumes, bike lanes, street trees, and a sidewalk extension from Burleson Drive to Buchanan Drive.
3.2.5 Bowman Middle School Redevelopment. Explore partnerships for redevelopment to include residential, civic, institutional, and recreational uses.
Public Art. Develop a public art committee for the county and towns to identify locations and installations for public art and murals that celebrate the area’s history and culture.
3.3.2 Local Artisans and Crafts. Promote local artists and craftspeople by featuring their art in storefronts, galleries, and markets.
3.3.3 Art Walks and Storytelling Spaces. Identify town walking routes and key locations for curated art installations and interpretive storytelling displays like murals, plaques, and interactive exhibits, that showcase the area’s history and notable figures while guiding visitors to a variety of points of interest throughout the towns.
FOCUS AREA 4: REGIONAL TRAILS
4.1.1 Stewardship and Improvements. Support maintenance and management of the trail by the USFS, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, and other conservation nonprofits while promoting trailhead expansion and improvements including signage and high-visibility road crossings to enhance safety, accessibility, and the overall visitor experience.
4.1.2 Beauty Spot Access. Collaborate with the USFS, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, and Unicoi County, TN, to develop and implement an illustrative master plan focused on parking, signage, and support facilities to improve the visitor experience.
4.1.3 Business Development. Encourage and support the Towns of Bakersville and Spruce Pine to join the designated Appalachian Trail Community Program and promote business opportunities that focus on visitor services for AT hikers. Seek entrepreneurs to explore general outdoor recreation retail, outfitting, shuttle, and lodging services focused on hiking and the Appalachian Trail.
4.2.1 Maintenance and Management. Support maintenance and management of existing trail segments by OVNCSTFriends, OVTA, and other conservation nonprofits on public lands managed by the NPS and NCWRC.
4.2.2 Trail Certification and Designation. Support efforts by the OVNCST-Friends and OVTA to apply for Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail certification and Overmountain Victory State Trail designation on existing trail segments.
4.2.3 Trail Development. Support local plans and efforts to develop and manage trail segments within the Overmountain Victory Trail Historic Corridor.
Appalachian Trail.
5.1.1 County-wide Vehicular Wayfinding. In accordance with the Discover Mitchell brand, develop and implement a countywide vehicular wayfinding plan that includes the towns and key destinations.
5.1.2 Gateways. Develop and implement a coordinated gateway signage strategy for primary entry corridors into the county and downtown corridors in Spruce Pine and Bakersville designed with a mountain vernacular that includes the Discover Mitchell brand and existing town brands.
5.1.3 Pedestrian Wayfinding. In accordance with the Discover Mitchell brand, develop and implement a downtown pedestrian wayfinding master plan for Bakersville and Spruce Pine that directs visitors to primary walkable destinations and less visible businesses and community assets. Include a centrally located kiosk, updated annually, that highlights specific shops, restaurants, and other points of interest.
5.2.1 Signage Package Development. Design and implement a unified signage package for trail systems, recreation areas, and other outdoor recreation assets that incorporates the Discover Mitchell brand.
