LAKE LURE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Tropical Storm Helene brought a wall of water roaring through Chimney Rock on Sept. 27, filling Lake Lure with debris and sediment from the Broad River.
Among the first responders on the scene were members of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, who remain in the area and are working seven days a week on recovery efforts. In Lake Lure, that means restoring the 720-acre lake, now choked with debris, silt and sediment.
“One thing that we’re trying to do is get the message out that the town of Lake Lure is open even if our lake is not,” Lake Lure Communications Director Laura Krejci said Wednesday.
The town of about 1,400 features cozy inns, lakeside cabins, quaint shops and a laid-back vibe. Places to stay, restaurants and several parks and trails are open.
And next week, another park will reopen. In honor of Arbor Day (Friday, April 25), the town is planning a soft reopening of the east end of Morse Park.
“Our guys have really worked hard on landscaping and in June we’re going to be adding playground equipment,” Krejci said.
The west end of the Park (near Town Hall) will continue to be used for the lake restoration project.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony and soft opening of Morse Park is set for 11 a.m. Friday at the Lake Lure Gazebo.
Another popular feature of the town — its Rainbow Bridge — was washed away from the Lake Lure Flowering Bridge during Tropical Storm Helene. But there is a temporary replacement.
“This gentleman named Papa Scraps built us a replacement Rainbow Bridge,” Krejci said. “It’s between our fire department and the Parks, Rec and Lake Department. And it’s right there. You can’t miss it. It’s very visible. It’s right by the road in between the two buildings.”
Visitors may place their pets’ collars there at any time.
These bits and pieces of the town are signs of normalcy returning.
“Obviously, we’re a tourist town. Our businesses rely on tourism,” Krejci said. “We want people to know that even though Chimney Rock is closed. We are not. We are open for business and ready to welcome visitors.”
Town officials said there is a plan for reopening Chimney Rock State Park quickly. North Carolina Department of Transportation officials have chosen places for two bridges that will serve the temporary and long-term needs of residents and visitors.
A temporary bridge from U.S. 64/74A to Chimney Rock Park Road will be installed just west of the old truss bridge that served Southside Drive and provide residents and visitors access to Chimney Rock State Park. The goal is to have the bridge open by Memorial Day weekend, weather permitting.