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McDowell Trails Association proposes 300-acre Universal Park as regional trail hub
Summary
Steve Pierce of the McDowell Trails Association told the Marion council the group seeks to develop 300 acres at Universal Park into a trail and recreation destination, citing stakeholder support and submitted planning grant applications to the Duke Energy Foundation and T-Mobile; McDowell County reportedly agreed in principle to set aside the park for recreation.
Steve Pierce, speaking for the McDowell Trails Association, presented a plan to develop Universal Park into a 300-acre outdoor recreation and trail system that would serve Marion residents, Central McDowell County and visitors.
Pierce traced renewed interest in the site to a Bear Hunt Adventure story-trail event last August that drew more than 100 people, many of whom had never visited the park. He said the park sits directly off I-40 near Marion and McDowell Technical Community College and would connect to several regional trail corridors including the Peavine Rail Trail, the Thermal Belt Rail Trail, the Wilderness Gateway State Trail and the Fonta Flora State Trail. "It was at that event that MTA board members recognized the park's potential to become a true destination," Pierce said.
Pierce outlined a phased approach, with Phase 1 focused on planning. He said the MTA has submitted a planning grant to the Duke Energy Foundation and a T-Mobile grant to fund disc-golf improvements, and that McDowell Tech's instructor Jeremy Poore has begun mapping potential routes. Pierce listed stakeholder partners including McDowell Technical Community College, McDowell County, McDowell Parks and Recreation, the McDowell Economic Development Association, the City of Marion and Destination McDowell and said letters of support had been forwarded to the Marion council.
Pierce emphasized the Universal Park initiative does not detract from the Peavine Rail Trail project and described the efforts as complementary. In response to Council Member Juanita Doggett's question about grounds maintenance, Pierce said mowing is currently contracted through economic development and handled by Chuck Abernathy but acknowledged ongoing maintenance responsibilities will need to be addressed as the park develops.
Pierce said the McDowell County Commissioners had agreed in principle to set aside the park for outdoor recreation and to partner with the MTA and stakeholders on development. No formal council vote or funding commitment by the City of Marion was recorded during the meeting; Pierce and stakeholders presented the concept and indicated next steps include continued stakeholder coordination and grant pursuit.
