Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, June 9, 1995 TAG: 9506090086
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: SHANNON D. HARRINGTON STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SCRUGGS LENGTH: Medium
In reality, county residents were seeing an undeveloped plot of land. But they were envisioning sandy beaches and bountiful fishing spots Thursday as they toured the future park site in Scruggs.
They were able to give their suggestions and concerns to county officials and the park development team in a design workshop led by representatives of the contracted engineering firm, Dewberry & Davis.
Many residents were especially looking forward to a proposed beach site in the park, something Franklin County has never had. The beach at Smith Mountain Lake State Park is directly across the lake - five minutes by boat, but 45 minutes by car.
"The only [public] place to swim is around Huddleston," said Barbarah Kraska of Rocky Mount. "We should have some sort of access to the lake."
Other suggestions included an aquarium for the study of the lake environment.
David Hill of Hill Studio in Roanoke, a member of the park planning team, said most people suggested where to locate facilities within the park.
"Some of the things only the local residents would know, like where the high-wake areas are," Hill said.
Residents who live next to the park site were concerned about access. Those from the Winding Waters subdivision fear an increase in traffic on their road, which is the only developed right of way to the park.
The subdivision's residents say a road easement that existed before Winding Waters was developed in 1986 should instead be made into the park entrance.
Dick Rang, vice president of the Winding Waters Property Owners Association, said subdivision residents have sent letters to park developers and County Administrator Macon Sammons stating hazards that could result from an increase of traffic on the road.
Franklin County Recreation Director Neil Sigmon said they are considering alternative routes that would bypass Winding Waters. Although he knows there will be an increase in traffic, Sigmon said he couldn't estimate how much until he knows exactly what facilities the park will have.
Members of the park project team said community involvement will play an important role in park development.
Mary Scott, executive director of the Smith Mountain Lake Chamber of Commerce/Partnership, compared it to "an old-fashioned barn-raising." Businesses and the community are being asked to donate building materials, labor and money.
Although completion may take years, Sigmon said some facilities could be operating by June 1996, such as a boat ramp and fishing areas. The county has applied for two grants from the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries: $75,000 for the boat ramp, and $25,000 for fishing areas that would be accessible to the handicapped.
The state deeded the 37-acre site to the county about 10 years ago, according to Gus Forry, chairman of the county Board of Supervisors. Appalachian Power Co. had given the land to the state in 1967. The park site is adjacent to 138 acres up for sale by Apco.
by CNB