Sylva town leaders and members of the Pinnacle Park Foundation hope to develop Pinnacle Park into a premier hiking, biking and horseback riding spot.

The park, 1,100 acres of land located off of Fisher Creek Road, was put into conservation last year by the North Carolina Clean Water Management Trust Fund. Town board members received $3.5 million in exchange for the preservation of this tract of land and are now responsible for its maintenance.

Town board members have been mulling over ways to increase the park’s usage. Some aldermen would like to see horseback riding while others are swaying towards mountain biking.

At the March 6 town meeting, board members presented their ideas to foundation members to get some feedback. Alderman says the foundation’s input on the park’s development is crucial. Foundation members have been doing trail restoration work and installing trail signs.

The foundation formed in the mid-1990s when the town stopped using the site as its source for drinking water.

Jay Coward, president of the foundation, told board members that he and the foundation support the town’s efforts to transform the primitive park into an outdoor enthusiast’s haven.

“We are prepared to do anything the town wants us to do,” Coward said.

Town leaders are considering adding horseback riding, mountain biking and primitive campsites to the park.

“Our ideas are pretty much in line with the town,” Coward said.

Recommendations

Pinnacle Park has two trails that lead hikers to the top of a mountain. Those trails are both strenuous, but Coward said there is an additional trail that could be used by anyone of any age or physical limitations. However, there are no bridges over the streams the trail crosses. Coward said the trail needs four bridges installed. The foundation has the material and bridge design. It just a matter of building the bridges, he explained.

Coward said if the town installs the bridges it would increase access to the park.

“People of all ages can walk that trail,” he said. “It’s a gradual incline, but you can’t cross the creeks very easily.”

Alderman Maurice Moody said the town could potentially use volunteer labor since all of the material is in the town’s possession. He said this should be the first project the town completes.

“Lets go and finish that part of it,” he said.

Alderwoman Stacy Knotts agreed with Moody.

“I think it’s a great first project to embark on,” she said. “A lot of people are intimidated by the park because they hear how steep it is.”

Coward also suggested that the town consider using herbicide to stop the growth of the laurel that is taking over parts of the trails. He said officials at the Land Trust for the Little Tennessee recommended the use of herbicide to eradicate the growth.

Additionally, Coward said some parts of the park’s trails are in dire need of repair due to erosion.

“We need to get the erosion control problems squared away,” he said.

He said the town will have to use some heavy equipment to solve the problems.

Potential uses

Mountain biking and horseback riding are two activities that occur at the park already but are not officially set in stone as permitted uses. Town leaders want to see both outdoor activities at the park but are concerned about the potential negative affects a bike and a horse may have on the trails.

Mayor Brenda Oliver asked it there are alternative trails that would be used for horseback riding and mountain biking.

Coward said a former logging road located on the west side of the mountain could be used for horses.

“If you had to put horses on a trail that would be it,” he said.

Coward also said that if the town permits both activities it should alternate days of usage.

“It’s the mixture of the both that you got to be watching out for,” he said.