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The Wilkesboro EDGE BMX Bike Track held its first race Saturday, March 20. Over 40 racers turned out for the action-packed morning, and many racers and spectators gave the track rave reviews. Racing will continue weekly on Saturdays. A Grand Opening celebration will be held on Saturday, May 8, with activities, food, and fun for all ages in addition to the scheduled race. For more information, or to register to race, go to www.wilkesbmx.com.
The network of trails at Kerr Scott Lake's Dark Mountain recreation area is now essentially complete, BMCC president Dwight Levi reports. BMCC volunteers, led by trail boss Jim Horton, have built more than six miles of singletrack at Dark Mountain since November 2002. The trails are drawing praise from riders. One experienced local rider said the trails at Dark Mountain are better than the 1996 Olympic course near Atlanta! Tyler Benedict, the BURN 24-Hour Challenge race organizer, rode Dark Mountain March 21st and raved about the trails. Trail building at Dark Mountain began in November 2002 after a BMCC-sponsored trail building clinic presented by Aaryn Kay and Scott Linnenburger of the Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew. In September 2003, BMCC acquired a Ditch Witch SK 500 mini-bulldozer to aid trail construction efforts. The Town of Wilkesboro contributed $10,000 of tourism development funds, and several businesses have pledged lesser amounts. The mini-dozer was used to complete construction of the trail network on Dark Mountain. Trail development efforts will be in high gear during early 2004 as BMCC preps Dark Mountain to host the Burn 24-Hour Challenge mountain bike race. Please see the Brushy Mountain Cyclists Club website for more information (http://brushymtncyclists.tripod.com).
The Town of Wilkesboro is in the process of applying for a pedestrian planning grant. This grant would provide funding for the Town to write a pedestrian plan. A pedestrian plan would look at all of the existing pedestrian facilities in Town (i.e., sidewalks, walking trails) and provide strategies for how to improve and expand these facilities. Better pedestrian facilities may motivate people to get out and walk more for exercise or for daily activities such as shopping or visiting friends. Valuable social and health benefits follow from this activity. One thing that has spurred the Town to pursue these pedestrian planning funds is the success of the Yadkin River Greenway. The Greenway is a community non-profit effort that has resulted in a pleasant walking/ biking facility for area residents. Currently, the Greenway runs entirely along the north side of Yadkin River. This summer, a bridge is to be constructed over the river that will connect the trail to Wilkesboro. A pedestrian plan will allow the Town to see how the sidewalks, walking trails, and Greenway can be integrated into a system that encourages residents to get outside and use them as often as possible.
Westwood Park will be undergoing a facelift in the near future. Thanks to the construction of a new Food Lion shopping center near the intersection of NC 16/18 and US 421, the park is going to be rebuilt. The size of the new shopping center is such that part of it extends onto land that includes the park. However, since Westwood Park was built years ago using federal funding, the park must be put back either the same or better than it was. The shopping center developer is responsible for rebuilding the park. The park is having to be moved about 200 feet from where it is currently located. The park will contain a new baseball diamond, new dugouts, press box, and concession stand. The Town is working to insure that the new facility will meet standards that will make it eligible to host baseball tournaments. There will also be a new basketball court and playground equipment. The Town is working closely with the developer to see that whatever new equipment installed will be desirable for Town residents and their little ones. |
