explore park economic consortium's plan b proposal, july 20, 2010
DESCRIPTION
A library/museum dedicated to the life and career of Earl Hamner Jr., creator of “The Waltons,” could be coming to Explore Park. The proposal was unveiled Tuesday, July 20, 2010, at a meeting of the park’s governing board, the Virginia Recreational Facilities Authority, as part of a Plan B for the park now that its five-year agreement with developer Larry Vander Maten has dissolved. K.C. Bratton, chairman of the Explore Park Economic Consortium, said details have not been finalized, but that the Emmy-award winning writer Hamner has agreed to house his library at the park, in part because of its proximity to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Hamner reportedly wants the library project to be an interactive experience, with an emphasis on encouraging young people to learn about filmmaking.TRANSCRIPT
Virginia’s Explore Park Virginia’s Explore Park NOWNOW
July 20, 2010
Explore Park is Open for Business
“The Venues” Subaru Mountain Subaru Mountain
Bike Trail SystemBike Trail System: : 9 miles of 9 miles of International International Mountain Bike Mountain Bike Association Association sanctioned (IMBA) sanctioned (IMBA) bike trails consisting bike trails consisting of beginner, of beginner, intermediate, and intermediate, and advanced levels.advanced levels.
Explore Park is Open for Business
“The Venues” Forester’s Hiking Forester’s Hiking
TrailTrail: American : American Society of Society of Forester’s ¾ Mile Forester’s ¾ Mile interpreted hiking interpreted hiking trail explaining the trail explaining the types of trees along types of trees along the trail.the trail.
Explore Park is Open for Business
“The Venues”
Rutrough Point:Rutrough Point: Access to the Roanoke Access to the Roanoke River and Back Creek for fishing, canoeing, River and Back Creek for fishing, canoeing, kayaking, and hiking of the one mile River kayaking, and hiking of the one mile River Walk Trail along the Roanoke River. Walk Trail along the Roanoke River.
Explore Park is Open for Business
“The Venues”Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center:Center: open 7 days weekly open 7 days weekly from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm May 1 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm May 1 through October 31 to serve through October 31 to serve visitors on the Blue Ridge visitors on the Blue Ridge Parkway. This 10,000 square Parkway. This 10,000 square foot facility; a partnership foot facility; a partnership between Virginia’s Explore between Virginia’s Explore Park, the County of Roanoke, Park, the County of Roanoke, and the Blue Ridge Parkway; and the Blue Ridge Parkway; contains a tourist information contains a tourist information center, theater, gift shop, and center, theater, gift shop, and 3,000 square feet of exhibit 3,000 square feet of exhibit space with permanent exhibits space with permanent exhibits on the Parkway and the history on the Parkway and the history of the Roanoke Region.of the Roanoke Region.
Explore Park is Open for Business
“The Events”• Film Camp Reunion – June 19, 2010Film Camp Reunion – June 19, 2010
• Treasure Hunt Trail Event – July 11, Treasure Hunt Trail Event – July 11, 20102010
• Explore Park Staff Reunion – July 18, Explore Park Staff Reunion – July 18, 20102010
• Hike for Horizons – October 9, 2010 Hike for Horizons – October 9, 2010 (Fundraiser for New Horizons (Fundraiser for New Horizons Healthcare & Explore Park)Healthcare & Explore Park)
• Anthem’s “Into the Darkness” 5K & Anthem’s “Into the Darkness” 5K & 10K Trail Race – October 23, 201010K Trail Race – October 23, 2010
• Halloween BooGoo Bash – October Halloween BooGoo Bash – October 29, 201029, 2010
• Explore Your Limits 5k & 10k Trail Explore Your Limits 5k & 10k Trail Race – March 23, 2010Race – March 23, 2010
Explore Park NOW!
Plan B – Immediate Opportunities (6 Plan B – Immediate Opportunities (6 months to a year)months to a year)
Explore Park – Plan B“Rentals and Leases”
• WeddingsWeddings• ReceptionsReceptions• PicnicsPicnics• MeetingsMeetings• Corporate FunctionsCorporate Functions• Camps Camps • Agriculture leasesAgriculture leases
Explore Park – Plan B“Special Events and Programs”
Explore Park – Plan B“Film Center”
Explore Park – Plan B“Reopen Historic Area”
Explore Park – Plan B“Reopen Historic Area -
Volunteers”•
Explore Park – Plan B“Park Pass Program”
Explore Park NOW!
Plan B – The FuturePlan B – The Future
Explore Park – Plan B“Mission”
• To be leaders in providing To be leaders in providing outdoor recreational outdoor recreational opportunities, stewardship of opportunities, stewardship of our region’s heritage, and our region’s heritage, and advocacy for environmental advocacy for environmental conservation for the enjoyment, conservation for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of education, and inspiration of present and future generations.present and future generations.
Explore Park – Plan B“The Future – Outdoor
Recreation”
• Outdoor recreation contributes $18.7 billion in Virginia.
• Outdoor recreation provides 210,000 jobs in Virginia.
• Outdoor recreation generates more than $88 billion in annual local, state and federal tax revenue.
• Outdoor recreation produces $243 billion annually in retail sales.
Explore Park – Plan B“The Future – Ride Center”
• Biking contributes $133 billion to the US economy.
• The biking industry contributes more than $17.7 billion in tax revenues to state, local and federal governments.
• The Biking industry contributes $53.1 billion in retail sales.
• The South Atlantic is home to more than 10 million bicyclists – 25% of the adult population.
Explore Park – Plan B“The Future – Ride Center”
Explore Park – Plan B“The Future – Adventure Park
for Kids”
• 2 Acres of Mountain Side Terrain• 100 Challenging Rope Features• Swinging Beams, Suspension Bridges,
Flying Islands and Tire Traverse
Explore Park – Plan B“The Future – Overnight
Accommodations”
Explore Park – Plan B“The Future – Greenways”
Explore Park – Plan B“The Future – The River”
Explore Park – Plan B“The Future – Amphitheater”
Explore Park – Plan B“The Future – Riverside
Pavilion”• Wedding Receptions• Corporate Events• Reunions• Catered Events• Construction cost
estimated at $235k• Annual Revenue
estimated at $100k
Explore Park – Plan B“The Future – Site Analysis”
Explore Park – Plan B“The Future – Business
Model” • “In times of
increasing demand but limited funding, public and private partnerships take on increased importance. Consequently, local, state, and federal government agencies should expand development of private sector partnerships and volunteer support to meet growing outdoor recreation needs.”
Explore Park – Plan B“The Future – Old Business
Model”Parkway Visitors Center
ManagementMaintenance
Fund SourcingLand Inventory Management
LeasesMaintenance38 Parcels
1100 AcreasMultiple Agreements
InfrastructureWater System
Sewage Treatment FacilitiesMountain Bike Trails
Forester’s Interpretive TrailParking Lots and Roads
Volunteer Program8211 HoursCoordinated
Workshops, Camps, & Programs982 Attendees
Buildings25 Additional Buildings
MaintenanceStorage
Inventorying
River FoundationManagement
Donor ServicesEvent Planning
Legislative ProgramRoanoke CountyBedford CountyState of Virginia
The TaubmanRentals
MaintenanceManagement
The Brugh TavernLease Negotiations
MaintenanceManagement
Mount Union ChurchFees
Maintenance Management
VRFA Executive Director
And Staff
Explore Park – Plan B“The Future – New Business
Model”
VRFA
Arthur Taubman Retail Outlet Inc.
The Brugh Tavern Inc. Mount Union Church Inc.
Executive Director
Explore Park – Plan B“The Future – Retail Outlet”
Explore Park – Plan B“The Future – Forest
Management”
Explore Park – Plan B“The Future – Surplus Land
Management”
Explore Park – Plan B“The Future – Communication
Towers”
Explore Park NOW!
Our Way ForwardOur Way Forward
Explore Park - Plan B Protocol
VRFA Executive Director and Appointed VRFA Board Member
Ride Center ConceptThe Adventure Park The Water Park
Economic Development Advisory Committee
Explore Park – Economic Advisory Council
• Pete Haislip, Roanoke County Director Parks, Recreation, & Tourism• Doug Chittum, Roanoke County Director Economic Development• Philip Thompson, Roanoke County Deputy Director of Planning• Mary Zirkle, Bedford County Chief of Planning• Anne Pollard Bedford County Board of Supervisors - District 66• Chris Lawrence, Vinton Town Manager• Christopher Chittum, Roanoke City Planning Administrator• Michael Burnette, Franklin County Director of Commerce & Leisure
Services• Tori Williams, Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce Assistant VP
of Public Policy• Josh GilbertMountain Junkies LLC Owner• Pete Eshelman, Roanoke Regional Partnership Director of Outdoor
Branding• Monika Mayr, Blue Ridge Parkway Deputy Superintendent• Gary W. Johnson, Blue Ridge Parkway Chief Resource Planning
Division• Wanda Reed, Government Liaison Mayflower Hills Civic League• Al Hammond, Braeloch & Boxtree Lodge Owner• Ed Hacker, Roanoke Valley Resource Authority Environmental &
Safety Manager
Explore Park – Programs 2010
• Film Camp Reunion – June 19, 2010Film Camp Reunion – June 19, 2010
• Treasure Hunt Trail Event – July 11, Treasure Hunt Trail Event – July 11, 20102010
• Explore Park Staff Reunion – July Explore Park Staff Reunion – July 18, 201018, 2010
• Hike for Horizons – October 9, 2010 Hike for Horizons – October 9, 2010 (Fundraiser for New Horizons (Fundraiser for New Horizons Healthcare & Explore Park)Healthcare & Explore Park)
• Anthem’s “Into the Darkness” 5K & Anthem’s “Into the Darkness” 5K & 10K Trail Race – October 23, 201010K Trail Race – October 23, 2010
• Halloween BooGoo Bash – October Halloween BooGoo Bash – October 29, 201029, 2010
• Explore Your Limits 5k & 10k Trail Explore Your Limits 5k & 10k Trail Race – March 23, 2010Race – March 23, 2010
Explore Park – Planning for 2011
• Rentals and Leases• Special Events and
Programs• Historic Area Reopening• Mountain Biking,
Hiking, Fishing,• Developing Fee Schedule• Initiate The Future-
Allocate Resources• Create Friends of
Explore Park• Begin monthly VRFA
board meetings through year end for updates and action
• Authorize Negotiations
Explore Park – Plan B“The Future – Library & Film
Center”
Explore Park – Plan B“The Future – Earl Hamner Jr.’s Library & Film
Center”