Moratock Park Story WS Journal

Many Thanks to Lisa O'Donnell for bringing attention to our efforts to enhance Moratock Park. This is phase I of a comprehensive plan that will, if completed allow us to take advanage of our tourism assets help foster new development, new investment and ultimatley new jobs in the county. Tourism is not the panacea for all our ills but as part of a well thought out and developed Economic Development plan it can be an incredible asset. Take a moment, read the story and stop by my office in Danbury to view the notional site plans.

By Lisa O'Donnell
JOURNAL REPORTER
Published: July 6, 2010
Updated: 07/05/2010 11:40 pm
DANBURY
Moratock Park, a popular summertime spot for people who want to cool off in the Dan River, may be in for a makeover.
An updated park could include an amphitheater, a disc-golf course, an area for a farmer's market and a new walking trail. Those are just some of the features included in two preliminary plans that were presented to the public in late June.
The county-operated park is spread over 50 acres on two sides of Sheppard Mill Road in Danbury. As it is, the park includes a ball field, picnic tables and easy access to the river. It also is home to the Moratock Iron Furnace, a historic structure that dates to 1843. Many people know the park as a convenient place to end a tubing trip down the Dan.
Alan Wood, the director of economic development for Stokes County, said that the park's development is one part of a larger plan to boost tourism in the county, which already attracts more than 400,000 visitors a year to Hanging Rock State Park.
"Hanging Rock is a huge draw and yet we don't reach out in significant ways to get the tourists more involved in the community," he said.
The Moratock Park plan and the master plan are costing the county about $45,000, Wood said.
Jimmy Walker, the chairman of the county's board of commissioners, sees tourism as one way to fuel the county's economy, which was dependent on tobacco farming for generations.
Walker viewed both preliminary plans for Moratock park and said he liked what he saw. One plan added a few features to what is already in existence, while the other plan included extensive changes, such as eliminating the ball field.
"I'm getting excited about the potential there and how it all ties in as another option for people coming to Hanging Rock," Walker said.
County residents can view the preliminary plans in Wood's office on the third floor of the Reagan Building at the county government complex in Danbury. The plans also will be on view at the Stokes Stomp, which will be at Moratock Park on Sept. 11-12. A survey also will be sent out to about 1,500 county residents.
Wood said he hopes the plan for Moratock Park will be finished in the fall. He will then begin looking for funding opportunities, which will likely come from federal and state grants. Without knowing what the final plan is going to include, Wood said it is too early to estimate how much the park would cost.
"That's what we're going to be working on for the next three months," Wood said.
lo'donnell@wsjournal.com
727-7420