State presents $100K check for Laurel Run Park bridge to waterfalls, trails

The substantial foot traffic between Laurel Run Park and Bays Mountain is expected to increase thanks to a new bridge that will improve access between the two parks, and to a couple of waterfalls.

On Wednesday TN Department of Tourism Assistant Commissioner Melanie Beauchamp visited Rogersville to officially present a $100,000 check to officials from Hawkins County and Kingsport.

This past October the Hawkins County Commission agreed to accept a $100,000 grant from the Dept. of Tourism to pay for a new bridge over Laurel Run Creek that will improve access to Laurel Run Falls, Logger Falls, and the trails connecting Bays Mountain to Laurel Run Park.

Both water falls are about an hour hike from the Laurel Run Park trailhead near Church Hill.

Bays Mountain Park manager Megan Krager told the Review that she sees a lot of foot traffic between the two parks, which are connected by scenic trails.

“We don’t know the exact number of foot traffic, but it is quite a few individuals who come up through there,” Krager said. “Especially in the springtime. There are a lot of wildflowers that grow on that side of the county. They have a different set of wildflowers compared to Bays Mountain, and they have such a variety of wildflowers.”

Krager added, “We also have some waterfalls at that end of the trail as well. That also inspires everyone to come over to the park at Laurel Run to hike up to see a couple of waterfalls on the western end of Bays Mountain.”

Another big draw to the Laurel Run trail is fall colors, as well as birding.

“Laurel Run Park provides a great opportunity to see a variety of water fowl, especially along the riverside,” Krager said. “A lot of people come out and listen to the birds, and want to see the birds. I do know there are communities of bird clubs that rent out the shelters just so they can have a home base and watch the birds.”

Connecting the two parks

Among the officials joining Beauchamp and Krager for Wednesday’s check presentation were Hawkins County facilities manager Sarah Davis, Kingsport Mayor Pat Shull, Hawkins County Commissioner Jeff Barrett who chairs the Parks Committee, Laurel Run Park manager John Young, Rogersville Chamber of Commerce director Nancy Barker, and Ken Rea with the First Tennessee Development District who assisted with the grant application.

One thing Kingsport and Hawkins County officials didn’t find out until after the grant application had been approved was that creek location where bridge construction was proposed is technically part of Bays Mountain Park, which is under the auspices of Kingsport.

“Bays Mountain Park thought we owned it, we thought we owned it when we applied for the grant, and then we had to go back to the state and say, what can we do to make this work,” Davis told the Review. “Bays Mountain Park wants us to get the grant. We want to keep it. So, we have been working with them, and we’re signing a lease for the property for 50 years.”

Bays Mountain Park has also agreed to reimburse Hawkins County for the $5,000 local match required for its $100,000 grant.

“This bridge will connect Bays Mountain with Laurel Run,” Davis said. “Bays Mountain is also providing wayfinding signs with QR codes so if you’re on that trail you can scan that code and it will show you on your phone where you are.”

‘A reason to stay longer’

Beauchamp said as soon as the contract is finished and signed Hawkins County will have about 18 months to get the bridge constructed.

Hawkins County was one of 29 communities to share $2.2 million from a Tourism Enhancement Grant through the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development.

“What it’s designed to do is boost tourism,” Beauchamp said. “What we have found in many of our communities is we’re doing marketing, but we have assets that need to be enhanced. This is a perfect example of a place people are utilizing, and you can enhance the experience for people using the trail.”

Beauchamp added, “If we can enhance assets, the we can give people a reason to stay longer. When they stay longer they spend more money, which is our ultimate goal.”