FRIENDS Rocky Knob Chapter
The Rocky Knob Chapter has been active during 2009-2010 in both direct service to the Parkway and in recruiting new members and raising funds for Friends of the Blue Ridge Parkway.
The chapter continued periodic collections of funds from the “Iron Ranger” at Mabry Mill. The collection box was installed in 2007. Over $6000 has been collected in the first three years.
Volunteers worked at the FloydFest music festival adjacent to the Parkway in July, 2009, earning funds for Friends of the Blue Ridge Parkway. This partnership activity started in 2008, and Friends are currently planning another volunteer effort for the 2010 festival in July, 2010. Rocky Knob volunteers have earned $2,500 for Friends of the Blue Ridge Parkway from this activity in the first two years.
In other external activities, the Rocky Knob Chapter staffed Friends of the Parkway booths at the Covered Bridge Festival and the Virginia Peach Festival in 2009-10. Both festivals are held in Patrick County. These public events offer opportunities to recruit new members, educate the public about the Parkway, and sell Friends of the Parkway merchandise.
Twelve Rocky Knob Chapter volunteers helped with the highly successful Roanoke Marathon, earning a $500 award for having the best “aid station.” The Rocky Knob Chapter donated this $500 to Friends of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Marathon sponsors contributed additional funds to Friends.
In direct service activities, numerous volunteers were involved, especially after being cooped up in the winter weather. The Rocky Knob Chapter adopted two trails-the Picnic Trail and the Black Ridge Trail, both located near the Rocky Knob Visitors Center. Responsibilities include walking the trails each season, cleaning the trails as needed, and reporting needed maintenance to Parkway staff.
The severe winter and resulting ice and wind damage to the Parkway called for extra work. Rocky Knob volunteers assisted Parkway staff in clearing downed trees, limbs and other debris from six trails in preparation for the Parkway’s opening. Volunteers also spent many hours helping clean the camping sites at the Rocky Knob Campground.
Chapter volunteers replaced the split rail fencing at the entrance to the Rocky Knob Cabins, located at the head of Rock Castle Gorge. Other ongoing efforts saw Rocky Knob volunteers clean and mow around the historic Whorley House in Rock Castle Gorge, adjacent to the Rocky Knob cabins. Rocky Knob Chapter members wrote an article for the local paper about this historic house, and gathered names of those interested in preserving the home.
The Rocky Knob Chapter adopted a 2 ½ mile stretch of road just off the parkway for cleaning in the name of Friends of the Parkway. This section of road leads from the Parkway to the Rocky Knob cabins.
Chapter volunteers continue to recycle aluminum cans from the picnic areas at Rocky Knob and Smart View.
The Rocky Knob Chapter prepared and served a picnic lunch to about 30 maintenance and facility employees Tuesday, June 1, 2010. It was an honor for our chapter to entertain these hardworking men and women who have really put their hearts into cleaning up the Parkway this year after so much destruction occurred from the winter weather. Other districts have good employees as well, but the Rocky Knob Chapter members feel that the Plateau District has the best group of employees on the Parkway,under the leadership of Rick Baker, Facilities Manager, and Roger Williams, Maintenance Supervisor. Since this is the 75th anniversary of the Blue Ridge Parkway, it is most fitting that we recognize the people who maintain the Blue Ridge Parkway.
If you are interested in helping the Rocky Knob Chapter, please contact
Jim Newlin.
Buried History: The Rocky Knob Chapter is concerned about the old Pine Spur Cemetery adjacent to the Parkway in the Rocky Knob area..
