Heritage Park final plan estimated at $5.7 million
By Gabby Hudson Staff Writer

Cheers for the home team, slides into home base and fast balls whizzing past batters could soon become a reality for residents of the town of Andrews if plans proceed for the new Valley River Heritage Park.

Since the first meeting held on May 1, 2007 residents, town alderman, Cherokee County commissioners and architects hired to devise a master plan, have rolled up their sleeves and hammered out a plan for what was known as the Salman Property.

The property is located between the Valley River and Town Branch just north of the existing Andrews Recreation Park.

The proposed park consists of 31.75 acres and was purchased by Cherokee County with assistance for a grant from the NC Clean Water Management in the amount of $140,000. The grant specified that a conservation easement be established along the Valley River and Town Branch of 100 and 200 feet respectively from the center of the streams.

The streams are also classified as trout waters by the NC Division of Water Quality. The site is approximately 60 percent of the site is located in ether the 100 or 500 year floodplain.

Acultural resource background study revealed that one portion of the site is likely to be eligible for the National Register of Historic Places although further study will be required.

The 4.6 acres is likely part of the 18th century Cherokee town of Konahete. The site is 400 feet x 500' feet and likely contains evidence of former structures and other features and may well contain human graves according to the architects.

During the May 1 public meeting 29 interested residents participated in a visioning session where they where asked what they envisioned for the park. The report lists the four questions asked and the answers received..

1. What is it about the site they you think needs to be preserved, enhanced or showcased?

*The Rivers (6), *Open Space (3), *Trees (2), *Views (2), *Cultural resources (0), and

*Enhance overall beauty (0).

2, What do you think about including the softball.baseball complex in the park?

*We need them (5)

*Do not need (1)

3. What other elements should be included in the park, space permitting?

*Multi-purpose field (9), *Lighted trail (8), *Picnic area (5), *Historic interpretation (5), *Playground (4), *18-hold miniature golf course (2), *Tennis courts (2), *Environmental education (1), *Basketball courts (1), *Gym (Multi-purpose building) (1), *Security cameras (1), *Fishing access (1), *Log cabin (0), and

*Tent camp (0).

Other possible activities where listed that included disc golf, amphitheater and nature plant gardens. However, these activities received no votes.

4.What are key issues that need to be considered in developing in the park?

*Plan entire park (6), *Attractive entrance (3), *Cost effective (3), and *Underground utilities (2) *How will it be built (cost and time) (0).

The final master plan includes:

*two story scorer's tower/restroom/concession building in the center. The tower would include a wide porch or overhang to protect against foul balls and for a respite from the summer sun.The tower would also have space for meeting rooms and storage for field equipment.The building would also be used for a first aid station.

*Three softball/baseball fields (225', 250' and 320'feet fields),

*Building elevated 5.5 feet, *Decorative Concrete Paving, *Vinyl coated fencing,, *Laser graded fields with irrigated Bermuda grass, *Covered dugouts and playground. *All fields lighted, *Two shelters with restrooms., *Two basket ball, *Three tennis courts, *Multi- purpose fields, *Lighted 1.1 mile asphalt trail, *Irrigation, *Bridge to existing park, *Future bridge to NCDOT Rest Area, *Picnic area/fishing access, and

*Outdoor classroom.

Steven Fritts, vice president of BWSC, explained that the cost of the project would be around $5.7 million and that the estimate was based on top notch high quality facility however the prices where set to today's prices and would increase over time.