York County OKs plan for massive park along Catawba River banks. Here’s what’s in it
Riverbend Park is on the way.
York County Council approved a master plan on Monday night for the property along the Rock Hill banks of the Catawba River. The former Bowater Company site will be a $52 million mix of natural area, event space, recreation and other amenities.
“The emphasis of this master plan is that it is a nature preserve,” said planner Chuck Flink, who presented the master plan to council. “It’s about outdoor access and outdoor use, and it really celebrates the outdoors.”
The county bought 1,900 acres of land in late 2018 along a site where the Catawba River bends. The site is near the intersection of Neely Store and Old Friendship roads. The county, which paid for $21 million, then began plans for something similar to the Anne Springs Close Greenway in Fort Mill.
Flink worked with the late Anne Springs Close on her Fort Mill property for 30 years. She also was involved in efforts to conserve what is now the Riverbend site. On Monday Flink recounted a conversation earlier this year with Close, on what Riverbend might expect.
“It took the Greenway 25 years to become an overnight sensation,” Flink recalled Close saying. “It’s a good lesson for all of us as we embark on conversations about a master plan for Riverbend Park.”
Master planning for Riverbend has almost a year of market study, public input and other efforts to determine what uses best fit, and when. If Riverbend existed today, as planned thus far, it would have a similar feel to the Greenway that was its inspiration.
“The imprint on the land is about the same,” Flink said.
The Riverbend plan features a five-mile river greenway, 25 miles of hiking trail, a multipurpose building and events center, an environmental education center, Catawba River observation and access areas, lake access with fishing and watersports, overnight camping, a mountain bike park, and a luxury motorcoach park.
The project as proposed Monday night would cost $52.6 million over 15 years. Included is $800,000 in operations costs.
Flink said he expects a number of state and federal matching funds, along with private donors, to be available to help with those costs. In the first five years, a projected $16.2 million would pay for an entrance, gatehouse, loop road, river greenway and initial trail phase.
The $21.7 million second phase would come in years six through 10. It would include the larger buildings for events and education. The $14.6 million final phase would finish up camping, trail and other projects along with the RV site.
“Those phases can be accelerated if more money is found, if other project partners are found, people get excited about certain elements,” Flink said.
Of the 1,900 acres purchased by the county, about 1,700 acres were put in a conservation easement for the park. Funding for the park purchase largely came through county hospitality tax dollars. That revenue comes from a tax on prepared food and drink in unincorporated areas.
Many people involved with the project turned out Monday night to applaud the key step. Dean Faile, president of the York County Regional Chamber of Commerce, first learned about the project in his prior role as head of the Lancaster County Chamber of Commerce. Faile traveled and studied the impact large public projects have on the business community.
Riverbend, Faile said, will be a big help with talent acquisition and development for businesses.
“Once you invest in quality of life initiatives, like parks such as this, then your return on investment becomes that much greater,” he said.
Lindsay Walker served as chair of conservation agency York County Forever. In seven years on that group Walker helped conserve thousands of acres. Riverbend was the highlight.
“They helped achieve a lasting legacy that will benefit present and future generations,” Walker said.
The Riverbend decision comes a day after news another large project along the Catawba River could begin construction this year. The Charlotte Observer reported the $30 million River District project in North Carolina, north of Riverbend, could add trails, restaurants, offices, apartments and more to 1,400 acres in the Steele Creek area.
