Summer has come again to Hickory Nut Gorge and Chimney Rock State Park should be open. I am writing this before June 27 and the State has told us the Park will open that Friday. It has been almost 9 months since Tropical Storm Helene and its devastating floods closed us all down and turned Chimney Rock Village upside down. Now we are beginning to return to our new normal.
While the Park opens the remaining stores and restaurants in the Village are working hard to reopen. Many of them will do so in the next few weeks. It has been quiet a journey. Clean up, muck out, recover what inventory you can while cleaning and then carting it out to Tryon Equestrian Center. That was a ray of sunshine and it was so good to visit with many of you and hear your encouragement to us to keep going. That helped us immensly to get through our discouragement and gave us the energy to move forward.
Spokes of Hope then provided the volunteers (3000 and counting!), donated supplies, expertise, leadership, and hope to show us we could rebuild and then helped start and guide the process. Now that process is nearing completion. We are working with the Ruthrford County Building Inspection Department to finish up and finalize the buildings for opening. We are setting up displays, cleaning, rearranging, unpacking boxes and moving things around.
Streets and sidewalks are being cleaned, flowers are being planted, we are putting on the best face we can in the midst of still continuing major construction. The road to Bat Cave is closed to thru traffic, the permanent State Park Bridge is still in planning and design, Main Street is bumpy and uneven but we are on the way back. It is a good feeling.
The new sewer treatment plant should be up and running by now and most of us should have our sewer and water service restored. I have to write for the future as most of these projects are scheduled to be completed over the next few weeks and in fact should be done by the time you read this.
The Village Master Plan is scheduled to be presented to the Village Council in July. We have already applied for grants based on this plan and hopefully will be building some of the plan by the end of this year. This will be a multi year, multi million dollar plan but it is worth it. The Village suffered devastating losses and it will take an ambitious plan and effort to rebuild. You can view the plan by visiting the website – RaisetheRock.com You can also make a donation there and become part of the new Chimney Rock Village.
Continue to follow us on Facebook – Chimney Rock Village NC – and on our website. You can see updates and progress reports and plan for your visit now and in the future to see us rebuild and check on the progress. This is an exciting time and a historic time as we rebuild and shape the future of the Village and Hickory Nut Gorge. You’re going to want to be a part of this.
Please keep me posted as to any changes, news, or information you would like me to include in future Village reports. You can email me at bubbaolearys@bellsouth.net or call 828-625-2479. You may also contact any of your Council Members; Peter O’Leary, April Schick, Buck Meliski, Bruce Godzik, and Patrick Warncke with any concerns or questions.
Remember the Chimney Rock Village Council always meets the third Tuesday of every month at 7:30 pm in the Chimney Rock Volunteer Fire Department building (unless a special meeting is called or the Council votes to change a particular date). These meetings are open to the public. Please contact Peter O’Leary 828-545-1243 or Village Clerk, Steve Duncan 828-777-5718 if you have any questions or concerns.
