Haywood County tourism leaders have taken a major step toward reshaping public recreation along the Pigeon River, committing $300,000 toward a comprehensive feasibility study and master development plan. The initiative, funded entirely through lodging tax revenues generated by overnight visitors, aims to unlock the long-dormant recreational and economic potential of the waterway that cuts across Western North Carolina.
Following a competitive review process, the Haywood County Tourism Development Authority chose Robinson Design Engineers, working in partnership with the Coastal Dynamics Design Lab, to head the ambitious planning effort. The resulting master plan is expected to guide municipal investments, recreational connectivity, and conservation efforts along the corridor for decades to come.
The Pigeon River spans more than 40 miles across Haywood County, winding its way northward from the community of Cruso all the way to the Tennessee state line. Despite its prominence as one of the region's defining geographical features, local leaders note that public access points remain sparse, leaving a premier natural resource largely unavailable to both residents and travelers.
Authority leaders began laying the groundwork for the riverfront initiative in March after identifying a distinct gap between community demand and existing infrastructure. Corinna Ruffieux, executive director of the TDA and Visit Haywood, explained that extensive research confirmed local residents and tourists share a strong desire to enjoy the Pigeon River, yet existing entry points and waterfront amenities have remained severely limited.
A central element of the master plan involves repurposing properties acquired through flood buyout programs. Because federal and state regulations tightly restrict development on flood-prone parcels, passive recreation represents one of the only allowable uses for this land, presenting an opportunity to convert idle acreage into vibrant community assets.
Ruffieux noted that turning these vacant parcels into passive recreation zones offers year-round utility for area residents. By creating parks, trails, and scenic launch sites, the project intends to convert flood-damaged, unused properties into permanent public amenities that enhance overall quality of life across the county.
The effort comes at a pivotal moment, as recent severe flooding from Helene left numerous tracts along the riverbanks empty. Rather than allowing these properties to remain derelict, the master plan will coordinate with ongoing land restoration and public access work being conducted by other entities, including the Haywood Waterways Association and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
County officials emphasize that the Pigeon River study will not operate in a vacuum. Instead, it is being structured to integrate directly with wider infrastructure blueprints, such as the Haywood County Parks and Recreation Master Plan and the county's ongoing Greenway Expansion plan, establishing a cohesive network of land and water routes.
During a recent tourism board meeting, Clyde representative Case Brown underscored the importance of advancing the county's outdoor infrastructure. Brown pointed out that while Haywood County boasts exceptional natural terrain, it has historically trailed neighboring regions in establishing dedicated greenways and blueways, particularly within lower valley areas where river access has remained difficult to reach.
Municipal leaders along the river corridor have expressed strong enthusiasm for expanding waterfront infrastructure. Cory Nuckolls, an alderman on the Clyde Town Council, observed that current riverfront spaces in nearby Canton frequently draw large crowds of people floating in tubes, walking dogs, and spending time with family, indicating that newly created access points will see similar high demand.
Beyond providing outdoor recreation, the TDA's initiative is designed to act as an economic catalyst for the municipalities situated along the Pigeon River. By drawing kayakers, anglers, and outdoor enthusiasts into downtown districts, officials anticipate substantial benefits for small businesses, eateries, and lodging providers throughout the county.
Tourism officials emphasized that spending from visiting recreationists helps generate local sales tax, which flows directly back into municipal and county budgets. This revenue stream helps offset the loss of property tax income that occurred when flood-damaged parcels were removed from the tax rolls through buyout programs.
The selection of Robinson Design Engineers and Coastal Dynamics Design Lab followed a review of eight proposals submitted by various engineering and design firms. Ruffieux noted that while every applicant presented strong qualifications, the chosen team distinguished itself by presenting a unified, countywide vision tailored specifically to Haywood's unique topography and municipal makeup.
Board members praised the chosen design team for recognizing that the project should build upon ongoing local initiatives rather than attempting to start from scratch. The consultants' approach focuses on identifying existing gaps between individual town projects and bridging them into a single, cohesive blueway network.
An additional factor in the selection was the design team's proven track record in grant writing, which is built directly into the $300,000 project scope. The firms will assemble grant-ready packets for each municipality along the river, equipping local governments with the documentation needed to pursue millions of dollars in state and federal construction grants.
Representatives from Robinson Design Engineers, Coastal Dynamics Design Lab, and Visit Haywood convened their initial planning session last week to establish a working schedule. Project leaders estimate that finalizing the full feasibility study and master plan will take approximately one year, after which individual towns can begin seeking capital funding to begin construction.
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