Heritage Park, Avery County, NC

HERITAGE PARK Avery County, NC Working Towards a Unified and Sustainable Community Through Economic Growth

PROJECT TEAM MEMBERS Traci Rose Rider

PhD (Principal Investigator) Research Associate College of Design, North Carolina State University

Johnny Ring

Landscape Architecture Graduate Student College of Design, North Carolina State University

Virginia Fall

Landscape Architecture Graduate Student College of Design, North Carolina State University

Stephanie Heimstead

Architecture Graduate Student Landscape Architecture Graduate Student College of Design, North Carolina State University

Jerry Moody

County Extension Director of Avery County

Contact: Traci Rose Rider

PhD (Principal Investigator) Research Associate

Brooks Hall Campus Box 7701 Raleigh NC 27695 USA traci_rider@ncsu.edu

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TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgements .......................................................................................... 4 Introduction ........................................................................................................ 5 Project Description ......................................................................................... 6-7 Project History and Context ........................................................................ 8-15 Case Study .................................................................................................. 16-19 Design Process .......................................................................................... 20-25 Analysis of Existing Site ............................................................................ 26-27 Envisioning the Heritage Park ................................................................... 28-43 Expected Impact of the Proposed Plan .................................................... 44-47 Conclusion .................................................................................................. 48-49

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This project is the result of a close partnership between Avery County, North Carolina, and North Carolina State University’s College of Design.

We would like to thank the engaged citizens of Avery County, North Carolina, for their support and insight across the different stages of our project. This project is meant to reflect the dreams and aspirations of the many Avery County citizens devoted to improving their community, their county, and their state, and to make their county welcoming to all ages, abilities and backgrounds.

Particular thanks goes to Jerry Moody, County Extension Director of Avery County, for his support, initiative, connections and guidance throughout the project. We would also like to thank the Extension Staff for all their help and input: Tami Hagie, Administration Assistant; Kim Davis, Secretary; Melanie Cashion, EFNEP Technician; Bobbie Willard, 4-H; Alicia Hicks, 4-H County Program Assistant; and Michelle South, Livestock Agent. Exceptional gratitude goes to all the Avery County community members that participated in workshops and provided feedback. We are also grateful to the Avery County Commissioners, Martha J. Hicks, Blake Vance, Wood Hall Young, Jr., Faith “Faye” Lacey, and Tim Phillips, Phillip Barrier, County Manager; Cindy Turbyfill, Assistant County Manager for their support and enthusiasm.

Finally, we would like to thank the student team for their hard work, sustained efforts, and dedication to this project.

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INTRODUCTION The community of Avery County, North Carolina, was interested in exploring the possibilities for an underutilized piece of land, historically only used for the Avery County Fair once a year. This piece of land was leveled in previous generations, and currently contains not only a substantial amount of flat land, but also wooded trails and a stream. The county-owned property is located two miles north of downtown Newland.

The overarching goals of this project were: (1) to engage Avery County’s leadership, citizens and stakeholders in the creation of a conceptual vision plan to guide the development of a new Heritage Park amenity; (2) emphasize the inclusion of activities for year-round utilization of the site, welcoming participants of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds; and (3) support Avery County in developing an increasingly healthy, stable, and engaged community.

This partnership between Avery County and the NC State College of Design resulted in the creation of a vision plan that addresses place-based issues for Avery County, including community engagement, economic development, and identity creation while emphasizing the mountain heritage of the community.

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PROJECT DESCRIPTION Located in the heart of North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains, Avery County is one of the smallest counties in North Carolina at 247 square miles. A rural community of approximately 17,500 people, the county primarily consists of tourism towns such as Banner Elk, Beech Mountain, Sugar Mountain, and Grandfather Mountain, with Newland as the county seat. Rural communities across the country are increasingly seeking revitalization strategies, while simultaneously being concerned with the quality of citizen health, community and stakeholder engagement, lifestyle opportunities, and appropriate and adaptable physical environments. Avery County leadership believes that engaging their community members in the development of existing assets will not only enhance community engagement, making a stronger community, but will also work toward sustainable economic development of the county through business integration, development, and investment.

Educational opportunities and environmental awareness alone will not result in a livelier and more engaging community; there must be place-specific opportunities for community enrichment, recreation, and enjoyment.

Establishing a vibrant and sustainable community in the mountains of North Carolina must include long term partnerships between key stakeholders, such as community members, local and state educational institutions, private businesses, municipal governments, and other agencies focused on community education and enrichment. The Heritage Park Vision Plan is the result of a communitydriven concept design and planning process that explored scenarios for developing a strong community asset on the acreage currently only used for the Avery County Fair each September. The target site, two miles north of downtown Newland, was under utilized and without specific recreation and engagement opportunities beyond the county fair programming.

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PROJECT HISTORY AND CONTEXT Before Avery County was established, the early settlers in this area consisted of primarily English populations, with additional Scottish-Irish, Welsh, German, and Dutch peoples. Avery County is located within North Carolina’s mountainous region bordering Tennessee, and was the 100th and final county to be defined in North Carolina. It was named in honor of Waightstill Avery, a Revolutionary War Colonel who also served as North Carolina’s first Attorney General.

Avery County is known for its beautiful mountainous terrain, which serves as the main tourist attraction for outdoor enthusiasts. In addition to tourism, Avery County is also known as the “Christmas Tree Capital” of North Carolina due to of the town’s major production of the Fraser Fir Tree. The county includes rural and mountainous areas with the highest point at 6,165 ft above sea level. Shared with Watauga and Caldwell County, Grandfather Mountain’s highest peak (Calloway Peak) sits at 5,946 feet, which makes it one of the highest peaks east of the Mississippi River and a popular destination for tourists.

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PROJECT HISTORY AND CONTEXT

WATAUGA COUNTY

AVERY COUNTY

CALDWELL COUNTY

Avery County was established by way of annexation from Mitchell, Caldwell, and Watauga counties in 1911, making it the newest county in North Carolina. At its inception, Avery County had a total population of 10,335. The county seat was originally located in Elk Park but in 1912 moved to Newland. Avery County includes the towns of Newland, Banner Elk, Beech Mountain, Sugar Mountain, Crossnore, Elk Park, and Linville. Newland is centrally located within Avery County and sits at an elevation of 3,589 feet.

In the early 1900s, with the creation of the National Parks system, cities and towns across the United States experienced a renewed focus on outdoor recreation, resulting in a boom in tourism. Many places that attracted tourists in the eastern parts of the United States focused on ski resorts and other outdoor recreational spaces. As a result, the National Park Service later initiated a project creating an extensive, scenic road that would connect the Shenandoah Valley and the Great Smoky Mountains.

In 1933, the Blue Ridge Parkway was authorized under the National Recovery Act. A recreation area near Linville Falls was donated by John D. Rockefeller Jr. in 1952 to be included as a destination along the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Avery County includes many other notable natural monuments and parks including the Pisgah National Forest and Grandfather Mountain.

BURKE COUNTY

MITCHELL COUNTY

McDOWELL COUNTY

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PROJECT HISTORY AND CONTEXT After Newland was voted to become the county seat in 1911, land was donated to Avery County that ultimately created what is now known as Newland, NC. Newland was originally called “Old Fields of Toe� but was then named after William Calhoun Newland who served in the lower house of the North Carolina General Assembly and later as State Lieutenant Governor.

By 1919, the County Fair was a regular annual event in Newland, attracting people from around the county and region. While not consistently annual events, the circus and carnival also came to town during most summers, suggesting the appeal and accessibility of Newland for regional activities. Unfortunately, the county fair did not survive depression years.

The project site exists as Heritage Park on what was once a mountain that competed in height with its neighbors. The mountain was shortened, creating an elevated plateau. Because of its location and relative elevation, it was suitable for community functions with picturesque views of the neighboring landscape. Avery County purchased the property in 2000-2001 from the Avery Agricultural and Horticultural Fair Board so that it could develop the site as fairgrounds as well as a public space for the surrounding communities. The site was then named Heritage Park.

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FUTURE HERITAGE PARK

BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY

NEWLAND, NC

LINVILLE, NC

PROJECT HISTORY AND CONTEXT As of 2010, Newland has a population of 698. The demographics of this area consist of Caucasian at 69%, Hispanic at 23%, and African American at 2% of the population.

In Avery County, 65% of the population is between the ages of 18 and 64. Just 17% of the population is above the age of 65 even though Avery County is largely idenitified as a retirement destination for those seeking the natural amenities and recreational opportunities available in this area.

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MEDIAN AGE NEWLAND, NC

ETHNICITY AVERY COUNTY

NORTH CAROLINA

NEWLAND, NC

AVERY COUNTY

NORTH CAROLINA

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CASE STUDY FOR PRECEDENT Bakersville and Hayesville, NC are communities comparable in size with the focus area of Newland and Avery County. For this reason, they were a source of inspiration in the design process for Heritage Park. Being that these communities are also located near Newland, they face similar challenges in providing spaces and services to accommodate local residents and attract new visitors. The total population of both cities ranged from 300 to 350 people, but with strategic planning and added amenities, the cities have grown to become popular regional destinations for new residents.

The strategic approach seen in these two case studies was to focus on tourism, downtown development, and capitalizing on their proximity to other popular attractions.

The challenge that many small mountain communities face is creating economic development strategies that are sensitive to the surrounding natural environment, while also preserving the unique mountainous terrain. One way in which these small rural communities may increase their success is through engaged discussions with local stakeholders to programmatically increase access and exposure to these environments. Increased visitors can then lead to opportunities for increased economic development.

These strategies seemed to work for both Bakersville and Hayesville because each community contains a scenic setting that supports the spirit and cultures of the towns.

These two examples succeeded because they focused on attracting people (both visitors and new residents) through increased social and civic strategies, including creating focused gatherings, special events, and unique festivals in parks, playgrounds, and trails.

Heritage Park has the potential to become a powerful driver for community development through similar strategies, focusing on Avery County’s unique culture, that would ultimately serve the needs of Newland and Avery County as a whole.

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NEWLAND, AVERY COUNTY, NC

BAKERSVILLE, MITCHELL COUNTY, NC

HAYESVILLE, CLAY COUNTY, NC

CASE STUDY FOR PRECEDENT Bakersville was historically based on agriculture and manufacturing, but now has an economy largely based on the Christmas tree industry. Bakersville partnered with Handmade in America, the National Forest Service, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the N.C. Fish and Wildlife commission to fund a trail that would connect downtown Bakersville to surrounding amenities and recreation areas. Using this trail to provide programmed access to their existing natural amenities, Bakersville created catch-and-release trout fishing platforms for fishing and outdoor enthusiasts. This project also included development and rennovation of parks, playgrounds, sports fields, gyms, that were accessible to the downtown, making Bakersville a regional destination for visitors.

Like Bakersville, Hayesville invested in increased outdoor recreational amenities to help with the town’s development. Hayesville wanted to encourage access and interaction with the mountainous environment, including venues for camping and fishing and mountain bike trails. Hayesville capitalized on the existing recreational services provided at the nearby Fires Creek, which attract fly-fishermen, hikers and bikers, by adding additional amenities and services for those who already visit the area. Hayesvilles also created a festival called Car-B-Q that is an annual antique car show, barbeque festival and live music concert that takes place every July.

Both development examples from Bakersville and Hayesville provided evidence of small-scale, economic intervention to result in larger impact. Both of these towns desired to reconstruct their communities into a more sustainable economy. They did this by focusing on revitalization and development efforts that would ultimately attract more tourists as well as creating a more attractive neighborhood for the current residents.

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“Small Towns, BIG IDEAS.”

“ They both involve building infrastructure and capacity for initiating and sustaining locally driven community and economic development. In addition, each town’s strategy include elements of tourism and downtown revitalization. “ “Hayesville is working to beautify the community, forge partnerships to develop tourism infrastructure, and put on events that attract tourists and invigorate local civic energy.”

“The second part of each town’s strategy is to sponsor events and festivals that create community cohesiveness and attract tourist dollars into local businesses.”

“The festival has been responsible for three-quarters of a million dollars in grants, which have brought new businesses, new jobs, a clean-up campaign and a renewed sense of pride to ‘our town.’”

“By initiating projects to build civic infrastructure and partnerships, and to attract tourists into Bakersville and Hayesville, the volunteer-led organizations in both communities are redefining economic development in terms that make sense for small rural communities in the mountains of North Carolina.”

Lambe, Will. “Small Towns BIG IDEAS.” School of Government, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, N.C. Rural Economic Development Center, Aug. 12ADAD,

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DESIGN PROCESS The Avery County Cooperative Extension staff and the Avery County Government has plans for building a new office building on the Heritage Park site. The Avery County Extension office provides a multitude of programs and services for the community, but wants to expand these services. A site that supports larger facilities and additional programming would help with that expansion, while increasing the populations and citizens engaged.

Many of the residents involved, with the project, regularly participate in community initiatives, but voiced desire to engage additional citizens and stakeholders from within Newland and neighboring communities in Avery County.

This would provide a more comprehensive perspective on what programming might be housed at Heritage Park and how it could become a regional destination.

The participatory design process started with the design team’s attendance at the annual Avery County Fair in September, 2017. The team provided several different surveys and questionnaires for visitors to participate in as they entered and exited the fair. This venue provided an opportunity to gather insight from the most varied populations of people across generations and abilities, as well as providing exposure to local residents and visitors.

The design team also facilitated targeted community meetings with a group of residents, with great insight on the history and context of this site.

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DESIGN PROCESS After several meetings with different stakeholders, the design team compiled and organized the responses to help inform the comprehensive vision plan. Knowing the concept plan for the Avery County Fairgrounds will likely be used to determine future phasing and development, the design includes a combination of structures and services to accommodate the potentially varied priorities of different stakeholders and funding.

Environmental and programmatic considerations for the site, such as the extreme grade change and need for adequate parking, both informs and limits possibilities with the site. The vision plan includes a combination of all programmed spaces to give a full overview of both short and long term possibilities for the Avery County Fairgrounds as it transitions to Heritage Park.

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DO YOU ATTEND THE FAIR EVERY YEAR?

HOW OFTEN DO YOU TRAVEL TO NEWLAND?

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE YOU TO GET TO NEWLAND FROM WHERE YOU LIVE?

WOULD YOU BE INTERESTED IN COMING HERE ON THE WEEKENDS?

HOW FAR DO YOU TYPICALLY TRAVEL ON THE WEEKEND FOR DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES?

WHAT IS YOUR AGE GROUP?

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DESIGN PROCESS The data gathered emphasizes that Heritage Park should provide many different types of activities, such as: hiking, dancing, horseriding, and a venue for concerts and the arts. Without spaces to facilitate year-round programming, Heritage Park would remain empty for most of the year. Keeping this in mind, it was important to create a space that would attract all ages to the park, to support and help to maintain an engaged community.

While the surveys on specific activities were informative on how the site could be used to attract people, the open-ended survey questions provided helpful qualitative feedback on the community’s vision for Heritage Park. The responses were varied and included activities not yet considered.

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WHAT ARE THE THINGS THAT YOU THINK WOULD DRAW MORE ATTENTION TO AVERY COUNTY?

WHAT IS AVERY COUNTY KNOWN FOR?

WHAT DO YOU CURRENTLY DO?

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE THINGS ABOUT AVERY COUNTY? I WISH HERITAGE PARK WOULD BE....

WHERE DO YOU GO ON THE WEEKENDS?

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO DO?

WHAT ACTIVITIES DO YOU PARTICIPATE IN?

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ANALYSIS OF EXISTING SITE FUTURE HERITAGE PARK

EXISTING PARKING + EVENT SPACE

FORESTED AREA

NEW COOPERATIVE EXTENSION OFFICE

FUTURE COMMUNITY CENTER EXPANSION

AVERY COUNTY FAIR GROUNDS

EXISTING NATURE TRAILS

In analyzing the existing site conditions, the main goal was to be able to program the space to be active throughout the year. The site contained existing nature trails that were constructed before Avery County owned the land. By further establishing these trails, there is an opportunity to serve multiple users including children and the elderly, as well as horses and dogs to experience nature and enjoy the added benefit of exercise. Throughout these trails, there are many opportunities for fishing, camping, outdoor education, and various other recreational activities. Keeping in mind the past case studies, the site showed great potential to incorporate festivals and a larger trail network that could act as a tool in revitalizing the town through increased tourism.

In addition to the nature trails, the site contains an existing parking lot that is already used for seasonal events like horse pulls and lawn mower races. A small, existing building resides in the center of the site that acts as the ticket booth. This structure is planned to be redeveloped into the new cooperative extension office. This location will allow for centralized indoor spaces to support increased community offerings. In between the existing nature trails and the existing structure is a beautiful open lawn where the rides for the fair are setup each year. The great lawn has potential for versatile uses, including large festivals. Adding a paved pathway allows the space to function as an exercise circuit for those not interested in using a trail, but it also becomes a path during the fair to navigate between rides. This lawn area is surrounded by beautiful views of the surrounding mountain landscape and natural vegetation. With the addition of signage and wayfinding measures, Heritage Park has great potential to be a major destination for residents and visitors alike to gather in a centralized location.

POTENTIAL TROUT CENTER

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ENVISIONING HERITAGE PARK The overarching goal of the collaboration between Avery County Cooperative Extension and North Carolina State University’s College of Design is to develop a vision plan for Heritage Park to consider opportunities for its future development to be beneficial to the whole of Avery County. While the county fair is extremely valuable to the county, it only occurs one weekend a year. By programming spaces throughout Heritage Park to be used yearround, the site has the potential to be a destination for both residents and visitors. With added venues like the community center and equestrian center, the goal is to increase tourist activity and provide much needed venues for local organizations to operate and thrive.

While the site should attract visitors from neighboring counties, daily needs for those residing in the county also need to be considered. Building off of the existing amenities, spaces are developed that can be used throughout the year by residents: a community garden, outdoor movies, horseback riding, a trout demonstration site, and an outdoor amphitheater.

By developing these different elements throughout the vision plan, Heritage Park can help to support an engaged, healthy, and vibrant community.

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1. ORCHARD

2. COMMUNITY GARDEN

3. FUTURE COMMUNITY CENTER/ COOPERATIVE EXTENSION OFFICE

4. EQUESTRIAN CENTER / LIVESTOCK FACILITY

5. EXISTING NATURE TRAILS

6. LEARNING / GATHERING SPACE

7. TROUT FISHING

8. CENTRALIZED EVENT AREA

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FUTURE COMMUNITY ORCHARD Utilizing the area next to the existing parking for a community orchard provides the opportunity for residents to take part in a shared activity, which would help to strengthen community engagement and relationships.Placing the orchard at the front of the site draws visitors in, leading to the proposed community garden. The orchard would serve as a flagship, pulling residents further into the site. Placing these two activities at the front of the site emphasizes the ultimate goal of what Heritage Park could be: a place for gatherings and nourishment for the community.

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FUTURE COMMUNITY GARDEN As an extension to the existing community garden in downtown Newland, the vision plan proposes to reserve a large portion of Heritage Park’s most eastern side to agriculture. Access to the community garden will be overseen by the county with portions of the garden open to residents for cultivating fresh foods and produce. The food could be used at events such as a farmers markets, or donated to nearby schools for additional nutrition education.

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PREVIOUS EVENT SPACE While attending the fair, the residents of Avery County expressed a desire for a centralized gathering space that could be used for concerts, dancing, festivals, and other community activities in a more permanent structure. While the tent used during the fair serves the purpose well, it is also susceptible to high winds and weather, making it less than ideal for use year round. A community center addition to the Cooperative Extension Office in this location would support these activities.

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FUTURE COMMUNITY CENTER There is an opportunity to add an outdoor stage for special events and concerts at the back of the Avery County Extension office. Newland and other neighboring towns lack venues for these types of activities. Eventually this will be the site of the community center facility extending the building footprint of the office. With an open lawn, space for parking, and amenities provided by the Avery County Extension office, Heritage Park can become an ideal location to host outdoor events from small to large scale.

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EXISITING NATURE TRAILS Heritage Park has exceptional access to wildlife, cliffs, and creeks throughout the southern end of the site. However, the existing trails throughout the park are mostly unmarked and the terrain can be rough. While some adjustments need to be made, mostly pertaining to slope, the overall system of trails is a good starting point for creating an extensive network of paths throughout the site that can be used by dogs, horses, and residents of all ages.

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EXPANDED TRAIL NETWORK With the development of accessible trails for all visitors (hikers, horseback riders, outdoor classes, etc), the user’s experiences can be enriched by providing access to spaces previously difficult to explore. The proposed trail network grants access to the outdoor amphitheater, community garden, and community lawn. The new facilities and supporting spaces would support the development of an equestrian center where kids can learn to ride and care for horses, in addition to allowing everyone access to the trails through a new equestrian center. The vision plan includes this equestrian facility to house horses for local horse owners or for visitors traveling through the area. With neighboring trail systems in Newland and around the county, Heritage Park has the potential to connect into larger trail systems beyond the park’s boundaries.

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EXISITING CONDITIONS Having plenty of forested area around Heritage Park provides a plethora of opportunities for programming, education and engagement. Similar to the case studies mentioned before, using the surrounding natural environment as an educational factor is a strong tourist attraction and community activity.

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OUTDOOR AMPHITHEATER AND LEARNING CENTER Taking advantage of the site’s natural grade and access to boulders, a natural outdoor amphitheater for events, shows, and outdoor classes could be an enriching experience for those who visit the site. While the outdoor event stage located next to the county extension office could host shows for larger crowds, an outdoor amphitheater cradled amongst the wooded trails could provide a more intimate experience, where plays could be hosted or nature-related classes could be taught.

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EXISTING ENVIRONMENTAL FEATURES Whiteoak Creek passes through the southern end of the Heritage Park site, providing access to fishing and other wildlife. The existing trails run parallel to the creek and create points of access where visitors can interact with the water. However, there is no form of infrastructure or signage to indicate where fishing or swimming is allowed.

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POTENTIAL TROUT FISHING AREA Implementing signage and dedicating spaces for creek access can support and facilitate fishing and trout demonstration sites for all ages. This type of site intervention would be ideal for outdoor classrooms for students to learn about watersheds, ecology, and biology. Along with students, it would provide a space for families to fish or swim.

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POTENTIAL ACTIVITIES FOR OPEN LAWN Currently, Heritage Park is only occupied a few days a year for the annual Avery County Fair.

This is a missed opportunity for both Newland and Avery County alike. The site already hosts trails, creeks, and other natural settings that could be used throughout the year. One significant opportunity for community engagement is the open community lawn area, where the county fair is currently held.

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CENTRALIZED AREA FOR FESTIVALS AND EVENTS Heritage Park’s lawn area is an ideal location to hold large events through out the year. The versatility of the proposed design allows for flexible use of the different areas. There is potential to incorporate creative activities like outdoor movies, haunted trail walks, holiday light shows and other seasonal festivities utilizing the different parts of the park.

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EXPECTED IMPACT OF THE PROPOSED PLAN

WATAUGA RIVER-AT CONNECTOR TRAIL APPALACHIAN TRAIL OVER MOUNTAIN VICTORY NATIONAL HISTORIC TRAIL

HERITAGE PARK LOCATION

LINVILLE-CROSSNORE TRAIL

USFS TRAIL

The two cited case studies highlight the potential for attracting visitors by providing opportunities for outdoor recreation and access to natural amenities.

Heritage Park could be a part of a larger system to revitalizate downtown Newland and increase surrounding property values by attracting new residents to the area through festivals, educational activites, and providing venues for events.

Bakersville created a trail system that connected the downtown to the surrounding residents, and provided recreational opportunities to exercise. Their pathway project created parks and playgrounds that connected to the downtown, which helped to increase access to other areas of town with additional activities and amenities.

Bakersville also saw an increase in property value related to the additon of new residents.

Where Bakersville made connections throughout their town and ensured that their outdoor amenities were accessible to the economic hub of their downtown, Hayesville focused on capitalizing off of existing resources like trout fish, establishing opportunities for visitors to fish and experience the outdoors as a commercial endeavor for their town. Heritage Park has the same potential to use existing natural resources as an economic catalyst by cultivating programs, activities and venues that incorporate the natural environment, inviting tourists and residents to partake.

MOUNTAINS TO SEA TRAIL Heritage Park Local Existing Local Proposed Regional Existing Regional Proposed

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Pote n Park tial Herit a Trail Netw ge ork

POTENTIAL TRAIL NETWORK BETWEEN EXISTING NEARBY TRAIL, APPALACHIAN TRAIL, AND HERITAGE PARK TRAIL SYSTEM

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CONCLUSION This vision plan for Heritage Park seeks to incorporate the priorities and desires of Avery County residents in hopes of attracting new visitors and making the Avery County fairgrounds a destination for year-round programs and activities. This proposal creates a versatile venue that caters to the needs of the local community and considers the desires for future growth.

Ultimately, the design speaks to the different populations of people within Avery County, and accommodates people of all ages and abilities to enjoy Heritage Park as a communal space for exercise, recreation, and education.

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Office of Research and Extension Leazar Hall Campus Box 7701 Raleigh NC 27695 USA www.design.ncsu.edu