Last Chance to Participate in DRBA's Recreational Use Planning Meetings

The Dan River Basin Association's last public input meeting concerning the development of a Recreational Use Plan in Patrick County will be held tomorrow. Meeting is scheduled for 7pm on February 21st at Nettle Ridge United Methodist Church in the Moorefield Store area. Don't miss this chance to get involved in the future of Patrick County!

Last week, we had a very successful meeting at the Smith River Rescue Squad Building in Woolwine. There was a good turn out from folks who want to see Patrick's recreational and cultural amenities developed.

There were some really great ideas for the development of new trails in the Woolwine area. Once we get closer to having a solid Recreational Use Plan, we will have narrowed it down to the most feasible projects that will have the largest positive effect in the community.

DRBA's Public Meeting Series Nearly Finished, Please Join Us!

Meeting Schedule:

• Thursday, February 16th - Woolwine Rescue Squad Building @ 7pm
• Tuesday, February 21st - Nettle Ridge Methodist Church @7pm (Moorefield Store Area)

If you haven't made it to a RecreationalUse Planning meeting there's still time! There will be two more opportunities to participate in the Dan River Basin Association's public meeting series. So far, we've visited the communities of Stuart, Critz, Meadows of Dan, and Ararat. We've begun a productive dialogue with people who recognize the important role that recreational and cultural tourism will play in the future economy of Patrick County and the potential it has for increasing standards of living while protecting natural resources.

There is a long list of potential trail-building projects that community members would like to see explored. By the time we get closer to having a solid Recreation Plan we hope to have narrowed it down to a couple do-able projects that will be implemented once we let our local government know that it's important to us! We've also gathered some ideas on ways to improve our existing amenities to make them more accessible to both community members and visitors.

This effort is basically about two things; community health and economic development. Developing more accessible trails, river accesses and parks will provide more opportunities for Patrick County citizens to adopt active and healthy living habits - and help reduce overall health care costs. Making our natural resources available to visitors can be an important catalyst for economic growth in both tourism and corporate recruiting.

We can use our major assets to enhance our community and support a sustainable community, offering our children promising futures.

If you are interested in economic development and feel that you have ideas to offer or just want listen, please join us!