Officials come together for Watauga Boat Access Ribbon Cutting

Published 5:07 pm Friday, September 9, 2022

By Staff Reports

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Community leaders gathered at noon Friday to cut the ribbon on the new boat ramp along the Watauga River.
The ribbon cutting marks the official opening of the Lovers Lane ramp, which has been in the development stage for nearly five years.
Mike Mains, Elizabethton Parks and Recreation Director, coordinated the ribbon cutting event and recognized the agencies that were influential in the building of the new ramp, including representatives from TWRA, TDOT, TVA, the City of Elizabethton, the IDEAS Group, and officials from Carter County.
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency worked with the Tennessee Valley Authority, the Tennessee Department of Transportation, the City of Elizabethton and the Go Betsy organization, which began discussing the project around 2017 and 2018.
The City of Elizabethton had wanted more access on the Watauga River and TDOT has a program for utilizing bridges called “Park and Float.” The TWRA was asked to help because the organization is involved in building boat access ramps.
The TVA granted $45,000 for the paving of the parking lot. Work has been done by the Carter County Highway Department.
The land where the boat ramp is located is owned by TDOT, which has agreed to lease the land to the City of Elizabethton for $1 a year, according to Chris Little, one of the Go Betsy organization leaders who has led the efforts.
The City of Elizabethton will provide signage, lighting and maintenance of the area.

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