Phase II Franklin County Park
By Kate Hoffstetter

                By the end of summer, the second phase of construction on the Smith Mountain Lake Community Park will be completed, according to Scott Martin, Franklin County’s Director of Commerce and Leisure Services. It is the only public park to open on the Franklin County side of the lake.
                A completed phase II means the fishing pier will be ready for public use, a playground area for children will be available, restrooms will be built, a picnic shelter will be open, and an access road leading into the park will be completed. Park features will be fully accessible for people with and without disabilities as well as small children, Martin said.
                The park was opened to the public three years ago, offering a volunteer-constructed 1.5-mile loop trail for hikers and bird watchers.
                “We’ve tried to preserve the natural condition of the land as much as possible,” Martin said, adding that a large portion of the park will be completely undisturbed so existing shoreline habitat is protected for conservation. In fact, he said, the Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail has made the park part of its statewide tour. The park is 37 acres in size and, because it is a peninsula, boasts more than 3 miles of beautiful SML shoreline.
                Next year, during the third and final phase of construction, a beach area will be constructed for swimmers. Martin referred to the park as “passive use,” which means there will be no structured athletic programs. The Sheriffs’ Department, Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, Parks & Recreation staff, and volunteer park rangers will handle public safety services in the park.
                “It is day-use only,” Martin said, “and is to be used like a neighborhood park. It just happens to have the best views of any neighborhood park in the Commonwealth.”
                Russ Johnson, Gills Creek Supervisor, is heading up the private donation and fund-raising effort for the park. Martin noted that Johnson’s personal interest in the park has been key in moving up the development timeline. Martin noted that if businesses or individuals are interested in helping with the development of the park, they should contact Johnson and he will work with them to develop a partnership.
                Martin also thanked several volunteers for their help with construction and materials: Michael Dillon Custom Docks is building the fishing pier at no cost to the county; SML Rotary Club and Rocky Mount Rotary Club are donating the equipment for the playgrounds; Crawford Excavating volunteered its services on cutting through the access road; Rockydale Quarries provided the stone for rip rap along the shoreline; The Willard Companies donated the silt fencing; F&B Construction of Bedford donated the labor to put the rip rap in place and Cundiff Hauling brought the rocks to the site.
                This summer, funds from a car raffle being sponsored by the SML and Rocky Mount Rotary clubs will go toward construction costs for the park, Martin said. The raffle is an annual event of the Rotary as part of its 4th of July celebration. This year, a 2006 Ford F150 pickup (provided by Duncan Ford) is being raffled. Tickets cost $100 each and are available from any Rotary member and at Radio Shack, Member One, and Franklin Community Bank, all located at Westlake Corner.

To get to the park, take Route 616 south about 4.5 miles past the Dairy Queen. Turn left onto Bluewater Drive at the Lake Mart & Deli, then right onto Winding Water Blvd. Turn right at the stop sign onto Parkway Ave. The park begins one mile out on Parkway Ave. There is a sign at the entrance.