MADE BY MOUNTAINS STORY
great state of wilkes
“It’s about where we live, work, play, pray and learn. When you live in the Great State of Wilkes and you have this bountiful, beautiful outdoor landscape, it is our greatest asset from which to build.”
Wilkes County has a deep commitment to outdoor recreation, its outdoor economy, and furthering initiatives to create healthy communities for visitors and residents. Through valuable partnerships that bring everyone to the table, “The Great State of Wilkes Action Plan”, was forged to create deliberate strategies to better the community and keep outdoor recreation at the forefront of its future.
Written by Thomas Salley – Director, Wilkes TDA
refuge, rejuvenation and adventure
Wilkes County has the charm of a small town with local shops, craft restaurants, wineries and true southern hospitality. Though the people and sights are delightful, the scenes surrounding can be a place of refuge, rejuvenation and adventure.
There are many outdoor activities that are made to be enjoyable and accessible to all. For those looking for a thrilling adventure or place of solitude, Wilkes County is home to Stone Mountain State Park. The 600-foot granite dome, that is a designated National Natural Landmark, is a beauty. Also, the historic Hutchinson Homestead, a restored mid-19th-century farm situated at the base of the mountain is accessible by vehicle for viewing. The park offers nearly all types of outdoor activities to experience a high-country landscape adorned with beautiful waterfalls, winding creeks, and bountiful trout streams. A portion of the Mountains-to-Sea State Trail runs through the park near the backcountry campsites.
For a different set of recreational opportunities, W. Kerr Scott Dam and Reservoir offers biking, boating, camping, fishing, hiking, hunting, picnicking, swimming, disc golfing, and archery. There is also an Environmental Education Center that offers exhibits on energy conservation, habitat conservation, wildlife, aquatic and forestry resources, environmental education classroom and native tree trail.
The Great State of Wilkes Action Plan
Though Wilkes County has actively worked to maintain the beautiful resources and activities available. There is a recognized need for more development as we believe continue to grow and expand. Growth is essential to the well-being of locals as well as visitors. A work group came together to forge “The Great State of Wilkes Action Plan” to create deliberate strategies to better the community.
connecting the boros
As a part of the plan, Wilkes County Tourism received a grant to connect Wilkesboro an North Wilkesboro via a pedestrian bridge as the Greenway is currently separated by the Yadkin River. Whereas an existing pedestrian bridge connects downtown Wilkesboro to the greenway system, the proposed Cub Creek Bridge will connect four vital parks (Smoot and Memorial Parks in North Wilkesboro to Cub Creek Park and Rolling Pines Disc Golf Course in Wilkesboro) that are currently divided due to the river. It is known greenways provide alternative, eco-friendly transportation options for communities, and this bridge will serve as an important connector for those living in North Wilkesboro to access the Disc Golf Course, which is currently only accessible via automobile.
The proposed Cub Creek Bridge is located near the heart of the planned River District as identified in the Action Plan. The River District will further link
two historic downtowns through economic development, recreation, and well-planned urban design. The Cub Creek Bridge and the River District are intertwined: the bridge will give the district more recreational opportunity, and the district will be the catalyst to activate more recreational and development opportunities near the bridge. Having a walkable and easily-accessible connection between the Boros is the crux of the mutual outdoor economy. One project is weaker without the other, but both projects (like the Boros) are stronger in tandem.
Made By Mountains Stories
Great State of Wilkes Outdoor Economy
Chestnut Mountain
