TARBORO —
The Pamlico-Tar River Foundation just put the finishing touches on a camping platform project along the Tar River in Tarboro.
David Emmerling, executive director of the foundation, called the project, “A dream that is now becoming a reality” at a ribbon-cutting ceremony Tuesday afternoon on the Panola family farm. Landowner Don Anderson cut the ribbon to signify the official opening of the Panola Platform.
“We’re really excited about this. It’s been a long process, but we’ve made it happen,” said Richard Andrews, the foundation member who oversaw the construction of the camping platform.
Andrews’ father, Richard Andrews, designed the 16-by-32-foot Panola Platform, which is large enough to house eight tents and has a screened-in area with a sloped roof to facilitate rainwater runoff. The Tarboro architect expressed his enthusiasm for the river project.
“One thing Tarboro has that people take for granted is the river. It is a big asset. If promoted correctly, it can be a big economic draw to the community,” he said.
The platform in Tarboro is one of five camping platforms the Foundation plans to construct between Rocky Mount and Washington. Andrews said the overall goal is to “promote ecotourism in eastern North Carolina,” which will help “local communities and local businesses.”
The idea for the project began when Walker Covington, a geography major at East Carolina University, walked into Emmerling’s office one day looking for ideas for a senior year project. Emmerling had heard about the platforms on the Roanoke River and shared with Covington his desire to see a similar type of project on the Tar River. Covington began exploring the Tar River and identifying places for platforms. The vision became concrete when Emmerling found potential funding sources for the project, among them the Eddie and Jo Allison Smith Family Foundation of Greenville.
“We partner with them [the Pamlico-Tar River Foundation] on a lot of projects. They do great work and we’re proud to work with them on things like this,” said Smith Family Foundation member Geri Lassiter.
The construction of the camping platforms is just the first phase in a comprehensive project to increase accessibility to the Pamlico and Tar Rivers. Subsequent phases of the project will involve the construction of open water platforms on the Pamlico River, Fishing Creek and the Tar River upstream of the Rocky Mount reservoir, said Andrews.
“The overall vision that we have is a very unique bluewater trail on the Tar,” said Heather Deck, Pamlico-Tar river keeper. “These two river systems (Pamlico-Tar) can really be a hot spot for ecotourism here in eastern North Carolina.”
The popularity of kayak and canoe camping is increasing, and the lack of rapids in the Tarboro area of the Tar River makes it “the perfect place” for beginner paddlers, said Deck.
The closest upstream put-in for paddlers wanting to use the Panola Platform is at the wildlife ramp at Bell’s Bridge on N.C. Highway 33. The closest downstream take-out is at the wildlife ramp in downtown Tarboro.
The overnight camping platform is open to the public for use by permit only. To make a reservation, visit www.ptrf.org and click on “River Camping,” or call the foundation at 252-946-7211.
Homepage
Related Photos
-
Richard Andrews of the Pamlico-Tar River Foundation (left) looks on as Don Anderson cuts the ribbon of a recently-constructed camping platform along the Tar River at a ceremony Tuesday afternoon. Anderson donated the land on the Panola Family Farm in Tarboro for the project.
Panola Platform adds to river usage opportunities
- Homepage
-
Carlos Vivas takes a close look at a grave marker in the Community Cemetery in Princeville. Vivas along with several other volunteers meet Saturday in an effort to discuss methods of restoring the cemetery back to perpetual condition.
-
Monumental task
PRINCEVILLE — The volunteers who met Saturday to discuss cleaning the cemeteries on N.C. Highway 111 agreed that the task at hand is monumental.
Headed by Princeville native Milton Bullock, approximately a dozen volunteers exchanged ideas on how to turn the cemeteries from the overgrown weeded trash strewn graveyard, into a perpetual garden.
"I was told that it is in the worst shape that it has ever been in," Bullock said. "In many places, grass has covered markers. We have our work cut out for us, but with the help of God and all the partners pulling together, we will turn this cemetery." - NECP school building set for July 15 completion
- NC House panel hosts public debate on voucher bill
-
Monumental task
- Local News
-
A landscaping project at the traffic circle on North Main Street is an effort to improve America in Bloom judges' impression of the Town of Tarboro on their visit to town next month.
-
America in Bloom judges’ visit Tarboro next month
Tarboro’s America in Bloom (AIB) steering committee is gearing up for the AIB judges’ visit to town next month. AIB is a national non-profit organization that promotes “beautification through education and community involvement.”
“Please join us as Tarboro prepares for the visit of national AIB judges on June 17 and 18,” said AIB co-chair Connie Sherrill in a competition planning update. “Help us bring out the beauty of our exceptional town.” - Local Principal Completes Leadership Program
-
America in Bloom judges’ visit Tarboro next month
- Sports
-
Former SouthWest Edgecombe football coach Raymond Cobb, left, and former baseball standout and coach, Bruce Rhodes, were inducted into the Cougars Hall of Fame Monday night.
-
Cobb, Rhodes inducted in Cougars Hall of Fame
PINETOPS – The SouthWest Edgecombe Cougars athletic department inducted two legendary coaches into their Hall of Fame Monday night. Former football coach Raymond Cobb and former baseball coach Bruce Rhodes were the recipients of the awards.
- SWE Athletes of the Year
-
Cobb, Rhodes inducted in Cougars Hall of Fame
- Opinion
-
-
My 13 years have been lucky
It was 13 years Sunday that a drought was broken in Big Spring, Texas, After that, we ate Mexican for dinner with a gathering of family and friends.
The next day, a Saturday, Stephanie and I joined one another in marriage under a beautiful little gazebo by Comanche Trail Lake, fed by the historic spring from which the community draws its name.
-
My 13 years have been lucky
- Lifestyles
-
-
Corbett/Chasse Wedding
Brittney Joyce Corbett and Kenneth Robert Chasse, Jr. were united in marriage on April 6th, 2013, at 5:30pm at the Imperial Centre in Rocky Mount. The Rev. Carrol Bradbury officiated the ceremony.
The Rehearsal Dinner was hosted by Shirley and Donald Foreman, Grandparents of the Groom and also Elisha and Kenneth Chasse, Parents of the Groom, at Pizza Inn in Rocky Mount.
The Bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Durwood Corbett of Macclesfield, NC. The Groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Robert Leonel Chasse, Sr. of Pinetops, NC.
-
- Obituaries Archives
-
-
RUTH V. HINTON
WASHINGTON D.C. — Ruth V. Hinton, 82, formerly of Tarboro, died Monday, May 20 in Washington D.C.
- JOSEPH ORION BOONE
- ELIZABETH HATHAWAY BULLUCK
- SHIRLEY A. GOLDSTON
- CECIL R. HANSON
-
RUTH V. HINTON
- Food
-
-
Great fondue
My husband and I love to entertain. We also love fondue. I have 4 or 5 fondue pots. I use them regularly. Some of them I have had for a long time.
Fondue began as a way to use up old, hardened cheese. The original fondue was cheese with wine. You then dipped hardened pieces of bread into the mixture. In America, the 1950's was the height of the fondue craze. However, it appears to be making a comeback. - Budget Friendly Deliciousness
- Barbeque Bests
- Coffee isn't just a drink
-
- Events
-
-
Edgecombe Events May 23
Edgecombe Events should be submitted by noon the day before publication. Items eligible include notices of local meetings and activities of non-profit organizations, clubs, schools and civic groups in the community. Information should be brief and typewritten, neatly printed or via e-mail. Questions? 823-3106 or e-mail: events@dailysoutherner.com. Leave a daytime contact phone number.
-
Edgecombe Events May 23
- Our Community
-
-
Edgecombe Garden Club honors members
The Edgecombe Garden Club met May 1 for their noon luncheon at the Fountains of the Albemarle. After President Pauline Nicolosi greeted everyone, Sandra Joyner, Devotion Chairman, read “Torch” which was about our tongues torching good or evil.
Hostess Barbara Getzug described her specially designed flower arrangement of mock orange, snowball, purple columbine, and many varieties of roses. President Pauline, Hostesses Gloria Wall and Louise Fleming did the table arrangements. They contained wiegelia, azalea, ivy, mock orange, and ligustrum. - DAR AWARDS
-
Britain Attack Believed Linked to Radical Islam
Raw: Kevin Durant Tours Moore After $1M Pledge
Weiner Launches Bid to Become NYC Mayor
Okla. Teens Get Video of Deadly Tornado Overhead
Man Shot While Questioned in Boston Probe
School Storm Protection Spotty in Tornado Zones
9-year-old Tornado Victim Loved Family, Singing
Moore Native Toby Keith Tours Tornado Damage
Oklahoma Survivors, Heroes Survey Damage
Okla. City Mayor: Up to 13K Homes Hit by Tornado
Raw: Aftermath of Deadly Attack in London
Paperless Scanner, Vision of the Future
Florida FBI Shooting Has Boston Bombing Links
Garcetti Elected Los Angeles Mayor Over Greuel
Raw: New Video of Deadly Oklahoma Tornado
IRS Official Pleads 5th Amendment
Lawyer: Feds Investigating Susan Powell Case
