Tourism boosters visited a kayak and canoe launch along the Pee Dee River that they hope will be a step to increasing outdoor tourism in the county.
The Anson County Tourism Development Authority visited the launch, located at the Pee Dee Wildlife Refuge, to see its progress. Refuge manager J.D. Bricken led the group to the launch after the board held its regular meeting June 8.
The launch is part of the Carolina Thread Trail project. The organization is connecting communities by creating a series of access points along rivers. In Anson County, this includes blueways, or paddle trails, along both the Pee Dee and Rocky rivers.
The first access point in Anson County opened on the Rocky River near Plank Road in Ansonville last summer. The launch at the wildlife refuge is Carolina Thread Trail’s most recent project in Anson, and will open soon, according to Bricken.
A draft of the Anson County Thread Trail Plan published in June 2012 listed five ideal access points in addition to those on private property: Blewett Falls, on the Richmond County side; Boatlanding Road; N.C. Highway 109; Pee Dee National Wlidlife Refuge; and U.S. Highway 74.
The plan gives an optimistic goal.
“Anson County has access to a resource that almost all within its borders, and many from outside, have recognized for quite some time,” the plan reads. “Armed with a strategy for making the river available to more of the public, the county now has a firm grasp on its economic and cultural future.”
Tourism board members have discussed the need to install signage promoting the new launch to potential tourists. Board chairman Jeff Boothby said that there would ideally be signs along U.S. Highway 52, where the refuge is located, and along the river so that those canoeing or kayaking know that a launch is coming up soon.
BUDGET
During its meeting before the tour, the board approved its $40,000 budget.
Boothby said that the budget amount will be the same as last year’s at $40,900, but that the line items will change slightly to adjust for the board’s changed needs. Funds from areas no longer needed will be dedicated to advertising and marketing events in the county, Boothby said.
The budget was recommended by the Anson County commissioners.
Reach reporter Imari Scarbrough at 704-994-5471 and follow her on Twitter @ImariScarbrough.