The crowd heard details of the park project, examined the plans and listened to Cooleemee native Joey Shore sing about growing up on the river at the event sponsored by the Stokes County Yarn Co. at the former Erwin Mills.

“Cooleemee is unifying around this dream,” said Ken Sales, master of ceremonies and a leader in the Riverpark Task Force.

“We have always been willing to sacrifice for a worthy cause. This park will be a regional attraction for both Rowan and Davie counties, and we are committed to building solid partnerships with business, government and the people in this entire region to make this dream a reality.”

The $1.1 million will provide funds to buy the land and complete the first phase of park development which includes architectural planning, picnic shelters, canoe access, gates, a river outfitter shop and the park’s first year operating budget.

The town has applied for a North Carolina Parks and Recreation Trust Fund matching grant of $250,000.

“The land is for sale, and it is up to us to preserve it as a public treasure,” says Riverpark Task Force member Lynn Rumley.

“Claude Horn closed his Rowan-side land off last year because he also wishes to preserve the land, and he was concerned about four-wheelers tearing up the area.

“Public access on the Davie side ended last year when South Yadkin Power posted its land.”

Enclosed as an 80-acre nature park with a pedestrian bridge connecting both banks of the river, the park will help anchor a protected natural corridor along the South Fork of the Yadkin proposed by the Salisbury-based LandTrust group.

It will also open up 30 miles of river to canoeists.