Carter County and the City of Elizabethton is moving ahead with creating more “happy” spaces and events in the community. Thursday evening the Elizabethton Regional Planning Commission approved a proposal to allow an off-road bike trail on city-owned property on Bryant Ridge off Sugar Hollow Road.
The trail, which would be located on an 87.1 acre tract owned by the city, has won the support of the Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association, Tri-Cities.
This is more good news for outdoor enthusiasts. In December the Carter County Commission approved a new recreational park for a plot of land located off of Gap Creek Road, which will include softball fields, a walking trail, and a dog park.
Plans are also in the works for the Green Bridge Park at the point where US Highway 19E crosses Doe River in Hampton, and the Happy Trails Park on US Highway 19E in Roan Mountain.
The main function of each park is very different, but each will include community services, such as providing a place for local picnics. As money becomes available, other aspects of a local community park will be included, such as playground equipment.
Also being studied is a whitewater park, which would be located on the Watauga River in the vicinity of Riverside Park.
Park and trails make our communities more liveable. They improve the economy through tourism and civic improvement; they preserve and restore open space, and provide opportunities for physical activity to improve fitness and mental health.
Just as water, sewer, and public safety are considered essential public services, parks are vitally important to establishing and maintaining the quality of life in a community. There are no communities that pride themselves on their quality of life, promote themselves as a desirable location for businesses to relocate, or maintain that they are environmental stewards of their natural resources, without having an active system of parks and recreation programs for public use and enjoyment.
Parks are places that can be used for sports tournaments and special events such as arts, music, and festivals. Parks provide gathering places for families and groups as well as for individuals for all ages and economic status. On any given summer days, visit one of Elizabethton’s community parks and you will find families picnicking, enjoying playground equipment, wading, splashing, and fishing in the Doe River, and just enjoying one another’s company.
Parks have a value to communities that transcend the amount of dollars invested or the revenues gained from fees. They provide a sense of public pride and cohesion to every community.
In the case of Elizabethton and Carter County, community parks complement our two state parks — Sycamore Shoals State Park and Roan Mountain State Park, beautiful Watauga Lake, our campgrounds, rafting and canoeing on local waterways, and of course, the Tweetsie Trail, which is popular with biking enthusiasts.
Nature has provided us with some great “happy” places. It’s exciting that our leaders are beginning to recognize the importance of recreation as an economic driver and are working to make our communities more liveable and fun.