Haywood County tourism officials have authorized a major strategic initiative designed to open up public access to the Pigeon River, commissioning an engineering study that could fundamentally reshape the county’s outdoor recreation landscape. The initiative sets into motion a comprehensive master plan that aims to turn underutilized riverfront parcels into thriving community spaces.
The ambitious endeavor is being directed and funded by the Haywood County Tourism Development Authority, commonly known as Visit Haywood. To finance the $300,000 feasibility study, the authority is using room occupancy tax proceeds generated by overnight travelers, channeling visitor-generated revenue back into long-term infrastructure improvements across the county.
The Pigeon River winds through Haywood County for more than 40 miles, flowing from the community of Cruso all the way to the Tennessee state line. Despite the river's extensive reach across the county, local leaders emphasize that its recreational and economic potential has remained virtually untapped due to a distinct shortage of formal public entry points.
Efforts to organize the development plan began in March, sparked by findings that both area residents and traveling outdoor enthusiasts strongly desire greater water access. Tourism authority leaders noted that while the region boasts abundant natural waterways, formal recreational gateways along the Pigeon River have historically been missing.
A core focus of the newly commissioned master plan is the rehabilitation of vacant flood buyout properties situated along the riverbanks. Because safety regulations strictly limit how flood-prone land can be redeveloped, planners are focusing on passive recreation as an optimal strategy to convert dormant parcels into year-round public assets.
Tourism authority officials explained that passive recreational use serves as one of the few viable options for buyout properties, offering a constructive pathway to revive land that currently sits idle and make it functional for daily public enjoyment throughout the entire year.
The development plan will not function in isolation; rather, it is designed to align directly with ongoing municipal and countywide recreation frameworks. These include the Haywood County Parks and Recreation master plan, as well as the county’s broader Greenway Expansion initiative, ensuring that land and water routes connect seamlessly.
Local representatives have noted that Haywood County has lagged behind neighboring regions when it comes to developing expansive networks of greenways and blueways. While the area possesses world-class natural features, leaders point out that lower valley sections have long lacked meaningful public entryways—a deficiency this project seeks to resolve.
Support for the venture has also emerged from municipal leaders along the river. In communities such as Canton and Clyde, local officials report that existing riverfront areas regularly draw heavy crowds of swimmers, tubers, and families with pets, indicating that newly created launch sites and parks will experience immediate, strong public demand.
From an economic perspective, the tourism authority views the river corridor as a future engine for countywide commerce. Increased outdoor recreation is expected to draw visitors into downtown districts along the river, generating vital revenue for local dining establishments, retail shops, and lodging providers.
Officials emphasized that sales taxes generated from increased visitor spending will flow back into local municipal budgets. This influx of municipal revenue is expected to help offset the property tax losses that occurred when flood-damaged parcels were initially purchased through buyout programs and removed from local tax rolls.
The selection of a design team followed a rigorous procurement process initiated in March, during which eight engineering and planning firms submitted formal proposals. The tourism authority ultimately chose a joint team comprising Robinson Design Engineers and the Coastal Dynamics Design Lab to lead the project.
The design team was selected largely because of its demonstrated understanding of Haywood County and its commitment to building upon existing local initiatives. With post-Helene flood recovery efforts highlighting the importance of river management, the firm will coordinate with groups such as the Haywood Waterways Association and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to unify various independent projects.
In addition to site engineering and planning, the $300,000 contract includes comprehensive grant-writing services. The design partners will assemble shovel-ready grant applications for towns along the river corridor, positioning local governments to pursue millions of dollars in state and federal construction funds. Project leaders recently held their initial timeline meetings, with the completed master plan expected within approximately one year before physical construction can get underway.
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