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Town explores accessible fishing pier at Bill Moore Community Park; grant could cover majority of cost
Summary
Staff recommended a wheelchair‑accessible fishing pier site at Bill Moore Park and outlined funding options including a North Carolina accessible‑park grant (up to $500,000 with a 20% local match); council asked about ADA access paving, flood resilience and permit requirements.
Fletcher staff presented a plan to study and pursue a handicap‑accessible fishing pier at Bill Moore Community Park, citing a park edge on Cane Creek as a likely location and identifying grant opportunities and design challenges.
Town staff said the recommended site is the park entrance closest to the creek and that the location offers a relatively moderate elevation change and public parking nearby. Staff described the Mills River Park pier as a design example and noted that that project secured Fish and Wildlife funding and some grant support for construction and maintenance.
The North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation is expected to open an accessible‑park grant this September with applications due in March 2025. Staff told the council the program will award up to $500,000 and requires a 20% local match (one dollar local for every five federal/state dollars). The grant also requires public involvement during the planning process and a town‑owned site.
Council members asked about permitting (work in a waterway and bank stabilization), flood and debris resilience, ADA‑compliant paths or paving to the pier, and whether the town should expect to budget for preliminary engineering. Staff said some engineering services might be covered from the current professional‑services budget and suggested a CIP or grant strategy if the cost estimates require construction funding.
No commitment was made; staff will obtain preliminary ballpark cost estimates, pursue site visits with state Water Resources staff and return with potential funding strategies and preliminary engineering recommendations.
