Three concepts unveiled for Daniel Boone Park

BOONE, N.C. — Three concepts for Daniel Boone Park explore ways to relocate roads, parking lots, intersections and other infrastructure to accommodate a wide variety of activities, including historical and cultural uses; concerts and events; the Watauga County Farmers' Market; green space and gardens; and a visitor and community center.

Facilitated by consultant Fred Halback at the Best Western in Boone, a vision plan meeting for Daniel Boone Park held Monday summarized community input on facility needs and desired uses of the park, located in a wooded area in the center of town.

"This has been an exciting project for us," Halback said. "Fundamentally what this project is about is the opportunity to have a place where Boone can tell its story."

The campus, owned by the town of Boone, includes an outdoor amphitheater (where outdoor drama "Horn in the West" is performed), Hickory Ridge Living History Museum, Daniel Boone Native Gardens, Strawberry Hill Arboretum, the Jaycees playground and picnic shelter, a parking lot (used for the farmers' market and other events), a town recycling center and the Public Works Department maintenance yard.

The redevelopment project began last summer, when Eric Woolridge and Billy Ralph Winkler appeared before the Boone Town Council to propose a multi-year, $4 million to $5 million capital campaign to enhance the 36-acre property.

Woolridge is director of tourism planning for the Boone and Watauga County Tourism Development Authorities, and Winkler is a member of the Southern Appalachian Historical Association, which produces "Horn in the West" and maintains the museum. A steering committee of stakeholders from the town, TDA, Daniel Boone Native Gardens and farmers' market has met since last summer to gather input and develop a vision and conceptual master plan.

Following are three design concepts presented by consulting firm Marquis Halback at Monday's vision meeting.

Concept A

Entering the park's boundary from U.S. 321, Horn in the West Drive would move about 20 feet to the left, allowing Daniel Boone Native Gardens to expand and add vegetation buffers along the right side of the drive. Instead of intersecting with Horn in the West Drive, Oak Street would end in a cul-de-sac at the park's boundary, cutting off access to the adjacent neighborhood. The Jaycees playground could then be moved to the former location of Oak Street and a portion of Strawberry Hill, and a 100-space parking lot would take its place on the left side of Horn in the West Drive.

At the former intersection with Oak Street, Horn in the West Drive would no longer take a 90-degree turn to the right. Instead, the drive would continue forward and arc to the right over the lower portion of Strawberry Hill, providing additional space on the right side of the drive for expansion of the gardens.

The concept includes a small path or paved road off of Horn in the West Drive to the top of Strawberry Hill, where another small parking lot (about 42 spaces) and community pavilion could be built. The farmers' market area could expand into the parking lot adjacent to the gardens, while the large parking lot would have about 124 parking spaces, a visitor and community center and a year-round market store.

In all three concepts, it is proposed that the town of Boone find a different place for its Public Works Department maintenance yard so this space can be used for additional parking, as well a new location for the recycling center. All three concepts also include an improved access road off of Horn in the West Drive to the backstage area of the amphitheater, with about 10 parking spaces. And in all three concepts, Horn Avenue's intersection with N.C. 105 Extension could be realigned, moving directly across the street from State Farm Road at the existing stoplight.

Concept B

Concept B also moves Horn in the West Drive to the left from U.S. 321, but the drive then continues up and around Strawberry Hill along the park's perimeter, not exceeding a 15 percent grade, Halback said. As in Concept A, Oak Street ends in a cul-de-sac, the Jaycees playground moves further up the hill and additional parking is located on the left side of Horn in the West Drive.

In addition to road access, a pedestrian trail would lead to the top of Strawberry Hill. The general locations of the gardens, market and other parking would remain similar to Concept A, perhaps with even more expansion space.

Concept C

Concept C would include the relocation of the Jaycees playground and new parking lot on the left side of Horn in the West Drive but then maintain the existing location of the drive. The street could be improved to be more pedestrian friendly, Halback said.

Reaction

Some at the meeting felt the plans were too ambitious, calling for improvements to the existing uses of the property — such as the Horn in the West amphitheater and the Daniel Boone Native Gardens — rather than expanded uses. 

"Could there be a plan that recognizes the Horn in the West as that component that really needs a makeover? Whereas the farmers' market just needs the parking," said Bob Oelberg of Daniel Boone Native Gardens. "I think there just needs to be a bargain basement plan," a woman added.

Sarah Gilley, also with the gardens, said she would like to envision ways to bring in revenue not tied to additional events.

But a community input survey, which had 477 responses as of March 15, demonstrated not only broad support for existing events, especially the market, but also high interest in new activities. About 90 percent of survey respondents said they had high or moderate interest in local and regional music, theatre and dance events and additional community festivals at the park.

Farmers' market vendors said they not only need more parking but also parking that is proximate, especially for elderly customers.

Halback said there are opportunities to increase parking at the campus — largely dependent on the repurposing of the town's maintenance yard — but "being able to get all the parking that you want right on the stalls of the farmers' market isn't going to happen at this site."

Woolridge said he hopes to have a vision and conceptual plan ready to present to the Boone Town Council by April. If approved, the steering committee could then move forward with a capital campaign.

For more information about the Daniel Boone Park redevelopment project, visit http://www.danielboonepark.com , email (eric@exploreboonearea.com) or call (828) 266-1345.

WSOC