| The
project to build three raised
camping platforms and three
primitive camp sites along
Bennett’s Creek at Merchants
Millpond State Park (MMSP) in
Gates County was officially
completed in early 2012. These
campsites are the first paddle
accessible locations on
Bennett’s Creek, which begins at
the lower end of Merchants Mill
Pond and meanders 22 miles to
the Chowan River.
The
availability of these new
campsites responds to numerous
requests for camping
opportunities from paddlers and
will directly support the
expansion of ecotourism in Gates
County and the region’s economy.
Paddlers staying overnight on
Bennett’s Creek are now within a
1 to 2 day paddle to Cannon’s
Ferry Heritage River Park,
Holladay Island camping
platforms and Warwick and
Catherine Creeks in Chowan
County, and a 1 to 2 day paddle
to Wiccacon Creek in Hertford
County and Salmon Creek in
Bertie County.
Each
raised platform measures 16’x24’
and sites are accessible by a
300’x3’ boardwalk. A privacy
screen, constructed along a
section of the boardwalk, is in
place to accommodate a portable
toilet.
The 3
primitive campsites are located
on higher ground along Bennett’s
Creek and each site is equipped
with a picnic table, fire ring,
lantern post, grill and signage.
The
campsites are available for use
by the general public on a
reservation basis, 24 hours a
day, 7 days a week, throughout
the year. Park staff collaborate
with public and private
organizations, including the Boy
Scouts, 4-H, Appalachian Trail
Club and the Friends of
Merchants Millpond, to promote
and market the paddle camping
sites. The sites are maintained
by the state park through its
annual state budget allocation.
For reservations call MMSP:
(252) 357-1191
This
project was made possible
through a grant from the NC
Division of Parks and
Recreation Recreational Trails
Program.
Plymouth
Showcases New Boardwalk
 Have
you seen the changes on the
waterfront in Plymouth? Piers,
boardwalks and boat docks on the
east end town have been
renovated and a handicap
accessible canoe/kayak launch
platform has been installed. A public
restroom close to the boardwalk
was also renovated. Local
residents and visitors to this
historic community on the
Roanoke River enjoy the new lighting
and improved handicap access. The Town of
Plymouth received a grant from
the NC Division of Coastal
Management Public Access Program
for this project.
Currituck
Expands Rural Center
 Rural
Currituck County is blessed with
many miles of shoreline on the
Currituck Sound. With the
completion of a project at the
Currituck Rural Center, local
residents and visitors now have access to
water-based recreation, hiking
and environmental education.
ARCD provided
technical assistance with the design and
construction of a 2,700’ walkway
through wetland forest and along
coastal marsh with 2 observation
platforms, a 30’ pier and
16’x24’ picnic platform, 2
20’x25’ picnic pavilions and
playground, 12’x16’ kayak launch
platform, a new parking area and
about 5 miles of marked paddle
 trails
along Currituck Sound. The
walkway, kayak platform and
parking area are all handicap
accessible.
This project
was funded by Currituck County. |
