IT’S PUBLIC INPUT TIME! SURVEY ON IMPROVEMENTS AT NC KERR LAKE PARKS IS OUT – YOUR TURN TO FILL IT OUT
The opportunity for the public to have input into the improvement process for Kerr Lake State Recreation Areas funded by $3.75 million from the Connect NC Bond is here. The North Carolina Division of State Parks & Recreation has launched a 30-day survey on its website that will survey people seeking their priorities for improvements and facilities additions at the seven SRA’s on the North Carolina side of Kerr Lake. Those parks include, Kimball Point, County Line, Bullocksville, Satterwhite Point, Nutbush, Hibernia and Henderson Point.
The direct link to the Kerr Lake State Recreation Area survey is: NC State Parks Survey on Kerr Lake Recreation Area Improvements.
Kerr Lake Park Watch leaders took state park top administrators on a daylong tour of all seven state recreation areas late last season. The idea was to give them a firsthand view of the parks, showing them both problems and opportunities, assets and liabilities in each park. While meeting various park staff along the way, touring all the parks from the state division were Adrian O’Neal, Chief of Operations for the NC Division of State Parks & Recreation, Jerry Howerton, Chief of Maintenance, Bryce Fleming, Kerr Lake SRA Superintendent and Chris Curl, Kerr Lake Chief of Maintenance. Kerr Lake Lead for Public Affairs, Frank Timberlake, led the around-the-lake trip. At the conclusion, Kerr Lake Park Watch leaders Linda Timberlake and Lisa and Joel Bailey topped off the day with dinner and dessert.
KLPW’s Frank Timberlake photos NC State Park officials discussing the merits of a Premium RV loop at Henderson Point.
One of the opportunities for development was at Henderson Point where some of the most beautiful property on the lake is developed for tents only, but includes a $600,000+/- bath and shower facility. Kerr Lake Park Watch has recommended that a portion of that park that is directly out in the sun most of the day, be developed into the first PREMIUM RV sites on Kerr Lake, or maybe in the State of North Carolina. The flat, oversized sites, in KLPW’s concept, would offer water and 50 AMP electric service, wifi and a designated beach area. Now the area is unfrequented by many tent campers in the summer due to no available electricity or shade. Sewer at Kerr Lake campgrounds below the 320 foot line above sea level is not possible since all parks around Kerr Lake are actually on federal land.
Kerr Lake Park Watch’s improvement list includes at the top:
- Improved bathhouses, especially at Nutbush and Kimball Point and possibly Satterwhite Point
- Increased water and electric sites, possibly on both sides of the lake. For example, with a new bathhouse in Area 1 of Hibernia, that area is now prime for 25 to 30 water and electric sites.
- Develop a Premium RV loop, such as the Henderson Point site
“We asked the State of North Carolina in a loud and determined manner for a method to offer public input from us, the users of Kerr Lake, as to how to spend the money from the Connect NC bond,” commented Timberlake, “Now it’s the job of all of us who love those parks on the lake to voice our opinions and use the forum that the Division of State Parks has provided. It’s like the old adage, if you don’t vote, don’t complain. This is our window of opportunity! Seize it.”