August 20, 2024 • 23 mins
Curious about life within a sprawling 2,000-acre state park? Join us as we explore Lake Norman State Park through the eyes of Frances Cassarino, the lead education ranger who brings a wealth of experience and a deep passion for nature. After transitioning from Myrtle Beach State Park, Frances has found a new home in North Carolina’s diverse landscapes, where she channels her love for the outdoors into environmental education and stewardship.
In this episode, Frances takes us on a journey beyond the typical park visit. She shares the dynamic roles of park rangers, from educational outreach and law enforcement to emergency response and wildland firefighting. Discover how Frances engages thousands of students through tailored educational programs and the collaborative efforts that make these enriching experiences possible. Whether you're an adventurer or a nature enthusiast, Lake Norman State Park offers a range of activities, including swimming, hiking, and picnicking, making it a must-visit destination for all.
We also delve into the park's vibrant calendar of events, perfect for both community members and visitors. From the slightly spooky Halloween hike to the creative gingerbread house competition, and the impactful Catawba River Sweep to National Public Lands Day, there's something for everyone. Frances highlights the park’s amenities, such as rentable picnic shelters, camping cabins, and versatile event spaces, ideal for weddings or gatherings. Tune in to discover the exciting experiences that await you at Lake Norman State Park!
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Want to learn more about the 2,000-acre park right
here in our backyard and one ofthe rangers that makes sure that
it's a nice place to go play.
Tune in now.
Speaker 2 (00:07):
Welcome to Discover Statesville, the show that takes
you on a captivating journeythrough the heart of one of
North Carolina's most charmingtowns.
Speaker 3 (00:14):
Welcome back everyone .
We are so excited to have ournext episode of Discover
Statesville right here in soMedia Studios in the heart of
downtown Statesville, and todayI am super excited to have with
us Francis Casarino, who is apark ranger the lead education
ranger right, I read recently atLake Norman State Park, which
(00:37):
is an amazing destination assetwe have in our community.
So welcome, we're so excited tohave you.
Thanks for having me.
Yeah, so we happen to have thebenefit.
Thanks for having me, yeah.
Yeah, so we happen to have thebenefit of knowing a little bit
more about you, because weinterviewed you for an article
recently which will be includedwhen we put this podcast up, but
it's also out on our website.
But I found it interesting tolearn, talking about you a
(01:03):
little bit first, that youactually get to live on the park
, in the park right With yourfamily.
Speaker 4 (01:09):
Yes, ma'am, yeah, tell us a little bit about that.
Yeah, so one of the perks?
Well, I think it's a perk ofbeing a park ranger in North
Carolina is some of us do getpark housing, so we live on the
park, so my backyard is thewoods.
Speaker 1 (01:20):
Quite literally your backyard 2,000 acre backyard
that's pretty amazing.
Speaker 4 (01:24):
Well, it makes me care about it even more.
Yeah, so I definitely thinkthat's one of the perks, because
you're living where you'reworking, so the commute's not
too bad.
It's not too bad of a houseeither.
Yeah, so I can't complain.
There's four rangers gethousing at Lake Norman State
Park when we're fully staffed.
Speaker 3 (01:43):
Yeah, I did not know that and I found that very
interesting.
I wanted to share that witheverybody.
Speaker 4 (01:49):
Oh yeah, and it helps easy.
If there's ever an emergencythat happens, we're all right
there.
So if it's all hands on deck,we're all at the park, so it's
no reason to be late for work oranything like that.
Yes, I get it.
Speaker 2 (01:59):
Or that might no, I think that's a win.
Speaker 1 (02:01):
I think that's a win.
So, Frances, how long have youbeen with Lake Norman State Park
?
Speaker 4 (02:05):
So I've been in Lake Norman State Park for just over
three years.
I've been with the division forfour years.
Speaker 1 (02:09):
Okay, so where were you before Lake Norman?
Speaker 4 (02:11):
I was at Hammocks Beach State Park oh that's not a
bad place to be.
Speaker 1 (02:13):
Yeah, yeah, out on the coast, yeah.
Speaker 3 (02:19):
Bear Island.
You been in the park systemFour years Okay.
So we've had the blessing ofhaving you the longest.
Speaker 4 (02:27):
Yes, moved here and I love the area, so it's hard to
beat.
You're close to the mountains.
You can go to the city if youwant to.
Speaker 1 (02:34):
Access, access that's great yeah.
Speaker 3 (02:38):
Yeah so Meredith on our team had the opportunity to
interview you and reallyinterview you before this
podcast and what really stoodout to her is just your pure
passion that I guess you hadmentioned, that it's definitely
not a job, it's definitely yourpassion for the outdoors and
that as you were coming througheducation and stuff, you knew
that you didn't want to workinside at a desk.
Speaker 4 (03:01):
Tell us a little bit about that, yeah so in college I
got a part-time job at MyrtleBeach State Park down in South
Carolina and there I wasfull-time educator during the
summer.
So we would do up to 20programs a week for the public
and I loved it being outside.
And the more I got into mydegree, the more I realized I
did not want to be in a lab allday.
So I was going for marinescience and biology and a lot of
(03:23):
those jobs are cool, but a lotof them spend a lot of time
indoors and that is not where Ilike to be.
So with that job I realized Iwanted to do more for the parks
other than just education.
So I moved over to be anarranger down in South Carolina,
worked there for about threeyears at three different state
parks down there and thenrealized I still wanted more.
(03:43):
I wanted more In North Carolina.
The cool thing about our parksystem is we're educators, we're
law enforcement, we're wildlandfirefighters, we're emergency
medical responders, we're searchand rescue certified.
So we get all these differentumbrellas or hats that we have
to wear that are part of our job.
So it's never boring andeverything you're doing is
helping our natural resourcesand helping the public to create
(04:06):
the place where they can cometo the parks.
Speaker 3 (04:08):
So yeah, that sounds amazing.
Speaker 4 (04:10):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (04:10):
It's a lot of responsibility.
It is a lot of responsibility.
Speaker 4 (04:13):
But if you're passionate about it, it's
definitely a great career,especially if you're creating
those outdoor spaces.
My passion is for kids andhaving kids come to the park and
creating that spark in thatmoment where they're like, well,
I don't want to look at myphone anymore.
I don't want to be inside allday.
I want to come outside.
I want to go on the trails, goon a paddleboard, see nature,
see a cool animal or a tree.
Speaker 3 (04:34):
Yeah, outstanding.
Definitely love that.
Speaking of the kids, you had10 field trips over this past
year.
I think you said you reachedover 2,000 local students.
Yes, yeah.
Speaker 4 (04:46):
So we are expanding our school groups quite a lot,
and a good thing.
We do have a school and parksprogram with the whole division.
So with that we get certainteachers from schools in the
area and they get assigned toour park and then we work with
them throughout the year to getthem to come to field trips to
the state park.
And then for other schools thatmay not have enough funding,
(05:10):
our friends group, which is thevolunteer group for the park.
Speaker 3 (05:13):
Oh, talk about them.
Speaker 4 (05:14):
Yeah, yeah so they actually can help reimburse
schools that can't afford tocome out for a field trip.
So if cost is an issue, there'sa lot of different programs in
place to get those school fieldtrips out, as well, as we do a
lot of outreach programs, sogoing to schools for career days
or like bringing a program in abucket, whether it be skins and
skulls or some water qualityprograms.
(05:37):
So if schools can't come to us,we try to go to them.
Speaker 1 (05:40):
And so the schools have the ability to obviously
you have some built-inprogramming that you guys
facilitate Can schools alsocontact?
And to obviously you have somebuilt-in programming that you
guys facilitate Can schools alsocontact and you know reach out
to you and say, hey, we'restudying this.
Is there a field trip or aprogram that you could design to
help facilitate education onthis particular topic?
That may not be in your regularmenu.
Yes, okay.
Speaker 4 (05:57):
Yeah, so one of the cool things is, well, our NC
state standards for schools areall online.
Speaker 2 (06:08):
So if I get a school group say kindergartners, well
that's a bad example, they don'thave really good standards,
sorry.
Speaker 4 (06:11):
I don't know why I said kindergartners, so third
grade, say third grade scienceand they're learning about
something specific and theydon't see it as a program we've
done before.
I can work with the teacher and, based off those standards, to
develop a program for them thatthey can take back to the
classroom and talk about what welearned at the park, so that
it's relevant to the students,sure, and it's something that
they can see, that they'relearning in the classroom,
outdoors as well.
Speaker 1 (06:32):
Yeah, okay, yeah.
Speaker 4 (06:32):
Yeah, so it's really tailored to that group, to what
the teacher wants.
Speaker 1 (06:35):
That's a great service to be able to offer, as
opposed to just you can come,we've got these five programs.
Doesn't fit your mold.
You know there's otheropportunities out there.
Speaker 4 (06:43):
Oh yeah, and I think it means a lot more to the
students when it's somethingthat they can relate to and that
they've learned about in theclassroom.
Sure, especially that like ahamoment, like oh yeah, I know
what this is.
Speaker 3 (06:52):
So yeah, it's a really cool thing we do.
And, staying on topic, withpeople coming out to the park,
you mentioned a million visitorsto the park in 2023?
.
Speaker 4 (07:02):
Yeah, just under a million visitors.
So we are a highly visited park.
Yeah, lake Normandy, if youcome out on a holiday weekend.
This past year we have had toclose our swim beach and have
one in, one out and people willwait in a line down State Park
Road for hours to get into ourswim beach.
Which is like you wouldn'tthink about.
But then the locals who comeall the time, they're like what
(07:22):
big event's going on?
Speaker 2 (07:24):
It Like you wouldn't think about it.
Speaker 3 (07:24):
But, then the locals who come all the time.
They're like what big event'sgoing on?
Speaker 4 (07:27):
It's like people just want to go to the park.
Speaker 3 (07:28):
Yeah, it's not a big event.
People love it.
I will say that when we'relooking for user-generated
content to build excitementabout coming to the greater
Statesville area as a market forvisitors to travel here, we can
always count on someonechecking in and putting amazing
content at the state park.
Whether it's the beach orhiking trail or biking,
(07:48):
someone's always doing somethingcool out there and we love it.
So what is it for?
I know Richard knows with hislife in recreation and parks and
I know because of now leaninginto tourism.
But for our listeners, whywould I come to Lake Norman
State?
Speaker 1 (08:05):
Park?
Tell us about it and what can Ido there?
Yeah, all the great things.
Why would I come to Lake NormanState Park, like, tell us about
it and what can I do there?
Speaker 3 (08:06):
Yeah, all the great things that we can do at Lake
Norman State Park.
Speaker 4 (08:09):
So many things.
So one of the I think on theweekends one of the biggest
draws is we have picnic tablesand grills set up down by our
swim beach and so you can comeswim with your family from
Memorial Day to Labor Day.
We do provide lifeguards, soyour family from Memorial Day to
Labor Day.
We do provide lifeguards.
So there is a small fee to swimbut you're paying for the
lifeguards there.
Speaker 1 (08:30):
Can't put a price on safety.
Speaker 4 (08:33):
Yes, exactly, especially in a lake, you never
know what's going to Right.
Yeah, so having those picnicareas available for families we
get a lot of huge familygatherings that'll come out.
We have picnic shelters thatyou can rent if you have bigger
groups.
We have just over 30 miles ofmountain biking trails, so if
you're into mountain biking andthose are helped, maintained by
(08:53):
the Tar Heel Trailblazers, whichis another volunteer group in
the community that's helping tokeep those trails up and running
as well as we have a six milelakeshore loop which is just
hiking, and then a few smallerother trails.
So if you have tiny kids, wehave a .25 dragonfly trail loop
which is ADA accessible,stroller accessible and there's
(09:14):
interactive educational signs onthe side.
And then we do offer canoe,kayak, paddleboard and pedal
boat rentals on the weekends.
So it's $10 per hour per boat.
So that's another fun draw aswell as camping.
We got a boat ramp.
So whatever you have aninterest in, you can definitely
(09:36):
find it at the park.
Speaker 3 (09:37):
I'm always learning something new.
Did you know about theDragonfly Loop I?
Speaker 4 (09:41):
did.
Speaker 1 (09:41):
I did not.
I didn't know.
Speaker 3 (09:43):
So we're kicking off a partnership with Outdoor NC
and really featuring theoutdoors in this area and
they're really leaning intofeaturing accessible trails, and
so we're going to have to talkoffline about getting that, and
you know guides that areenjoying taking people around
and doing things out there atthe park.
(10:05):
So you have a pretty I'm goingto say it wrong.
Say the name of the bike trailEtusi, etusi.
Speaker 4 (10:15):
Yes, yeah, so originally the park was home to
the Catawba Native Americanpeople.
Okay, and Etusi is their wordfor hawk, so we do have a lot of
hawks in the park, so that'show it got the name.
Yeah, a little backgroundhistory for you Things.
Speaker 1 (10:32):
I did not know, that's right, just add it to the
list, yeah.
Speaker 3 (10:34):
So let's talk a little bit about the Friends of
Lake Norman, because there's awide variety of events that you
guys have really been.
It seems like it's getting moreand more and it's really cool.
We try to highlight them in ourevent rundown.
I know we talked about ProjectWetsum and the Star Party you
have coming up in August, buttell us about what's.
(10:55):
You know where we are at theend of August.
Yeah, Tell us about what youhave coming up the rest of the
year and then some of the otherevents, Just like I know you
guys did the solar eclipseviewing.
That was cool yeah, yeah.
Speaker 4 (11:10):
so about some of that , um, some of the events we have
coming up, so we haveprofessional development events
for informal and non-formalteachers.
So that would be project, whatit actually got pushed out until
october, I want to say, okay,uh, just because the storm that
came through, we pushed it out.
And then we have project food,land and people.
So both of those are they'redesigned for either teachers
that are in the storm that camethrough we pushed it out and
then we have Project Foodlandand People.
(11:30):
So both of those are designedfor either teachers that are in
the classroom that want to havemore education on how they can
teach about water, how they canteach about where our food comes
to students, or they're fornon-formal educators.
So if you're a librarian andyou want to know more about how
you can talk about thesesubjects to students, so that's
a really cool one forprofessional development for
people.
We did just have our end ofsummer celebration and s'mores,
(11:52):
so that was sponsored by ourfriends group.
That is a yearly event, soInternational S'mores Day is
August 10th, if you did not know.
Speaker 2 (12:00):
I didn't know, that.
Speaker 3 (12:01):
So every August 10th we need to celebrate that next
year.
Speaker 4 (12:04):
We do s'mores and then we'll do free boat rentals,
sponsored by our friends group.
So our friends group willprovide free boat rentals for
the whole day for the public tocome out and use our boats.
So it's a good time, if you'venever used the boats before, to
come out and try and test themout.
We also have a few volunteerevents, such as in September we
have National Public Lands Dayand then in October our Catawba
(12:26):
River Sweep.
So those are two events where,if you want to come back and
give back to your state parks orjust your public land that's
around you, those are greatevents for you to come out to.
Speaker 3 (12:36):
Are those like a pickup?
Speaker 4 (12:38):
Yeah, so National Public Lands Day, we'll actually
be doing something with ourtrails to help people.
I'm not too sure about thedetails just yet, but if you
look on our website, when weknow them we'll post them up
there.
And then the River Sweep is.
We go out either by paddling Ifyou have a motorized boat you
(12:58):
can bring that or you can walkthe shorelines and help just
pick up trash from the summerseason that has been on our
waterways.
And then we do a haunted hikefor—well, slightly haunted hike
for Halloween.
It's very kid-friendly.
Well, slightly haunted hike forHalloween.
It's very kid-friendly.
But we encourage people todress up.
And then our gingerbread housecompetition at the end of the
year to round it out.
And then, in addition to allthese big events that we have
(13:18):
throughout the year, monthly wetry to host at least two to
three free programs for thepublic that are ranger-led.
So these are just first-come,first-served.
You call and register for them.
Some of the ones that we do aresmall hikes for groups, fishing
with a ranger.
So we provide all the bait andtackle.
You just have to show up andyou can come fishing with us.
(13:40):
We'll take people kayaking orcanoeing and try and see what's
in the water.
So a wide variety of programslike that.
And then we have our storybookwalk on our Alder Trail, and
that changes every two months.
So it's a short under-a-miletrail and we'll have a story
walk on there so you can hikealong the trail and then read a
picture book to your Cool yeah.
Speaker 1 (14:00):
Now, things like the Gingerbread House competition
stuff.
Do those take place at theVisitor Center there?
Yes, Okay.
Speaker 4 (14:05):
Yep, and if it's anywhere else other than the
visitor center, we have awhiteboard outside the visitor
center as well, as our websitewill say the location of the
event.
Speaker 1 (14:13):
And speaking of the visitor center, you guys will
you rent some of that space formeetings and stuff?
Speaker 4 (14:19):
Yes, so we have a.
We have a few rental facilities, so our biggest would be our
community building and that'sfor rent.
How large is that?
It can hold seating.
It's just under 100 peoplestanding.
I want to say it's 120, but itis listed on our website and
it's an indoor outdoor space,has a wraparound porch and it is
(14:40):
in a section of the park that'sclosed off unless you reserve
it.
So we get a lot of weddings,baby showers, birthday party
celebrations down there, andit's really cool because it's
like your own little section ofthe park for the day and the
building's off.
You have a view of the waterall around you, especially in
the fall and winter when youdon't have as many leaves on the
trees.
You just get beautiful views ofLake Norman.
So yeah, it's a good rentalfacility.
(15:03):
Then we have four rentablepicnic shelters that people can
rent.
Two of them do have electricity, if you need that, the other
two do not, and all those comewith their picnic tables.
There's a water source nearbyand then a grill for people to
grill at.
You can bring your own grills,but there's one there if you
need it.
And then inside the visitorcenter we have a classroom and
an auditorium.
(15:23):
The classroom has a sink, soit's more, for we get a lot of
little birthday parties Like oneand two-year-olds have a lot of
birthday parties in there andthe sink's a big help,
especially when you get messyhands, and then the auditorium
has all your AV equipment.
So if you have a PowerPoint orpresentation you want to do for
a meeting, that is available.
Speaker 1 (15:43):
That may be what we used.
We had a department head staffretreat down there several years
ago and it was great.
It was just a great environmentbecause even when you're taking
a break you're walking out.
You're just outside in the park.
Speaker 3 (15:55):
Any view out there is a nice view.
And then you have some campingrentals too, right?
I mean not just like tentcamping, you have some cabins.
Speaker 4 (16:03):
Yes, we do have six camper cabins.
One is ADA accessible and thosethey are your bare-bone camper
cabins.
So there is two bunk beds inone room and then in the other
room is a full-size bed.
So you have electricity, airconditioning or heat if it's the
winter, and then there's acommunal water source.
(16:25):
But you bring everything forthe cabin.
So you have a fire ring outsidewith a little grill on top if
you want to cook over your fire,a picnic table, but you bring
your sheets and all that.
But it is an affordable placeto go near the lake.
Yeah, that's cool.
Yeah, and they're very popular.
So you can run up to six monthsin advance and, especially in
(16:45):
the summer, they'll be bookedout every weekend.
Speaker 1 (16:49):
They're a hot ticket item.
I assume that's pretty similarto the regular campsites as well
.
I mean most of your state parks, at least in North Carolina.
You know it's not much of anoption sometimes to be like, hey
, let's go camping this week.
You know, if you decide on aWednesday that you want to go
camp at Lake Norman State Park,the likelihood of finding a
campsite is probably pretty slim.
Speaker 4 (17:04):
Yeah, it's pretty rare, especially if you want a
full hookup for an RV site.
Those sites go fast.
We do only have 11 availablefor rent 11 full hookup sites.
In total, we have 44 sites, butthe rest of them are just your
standard tent site.
Primitive sites yeah, With afire ring picnic table and then
(17:24):
a tent pad.
Speaker 1 (17:25):
And how far in advance can you make campsite
reservations?
Six months, six months, okay,so plan ahead.
Speaker 4 (17:30):
Yes, plan ahead, especially in the summer.
The winter you'll get lucky,You'll probably find a spot.
But, the summer months.
Speaker 3 (17:34):
people love it With some of these events coming up,
you plan to come camp and do anevent too.
Speaker 1 (17:39):
Yeah, it'd be cool to camp and do a star party or
something like that.
Speaker 3 (17:42):
That'd being such good partners.
You really have been goodpartners in letting us know
what's going on and getting allyour events put on the community
calendar.
Speaker 4 (17:52):
Oh yeah, and y'all have helped to advertise for us,
because that's what it'samazing how many people don't
know we're right there, righthere in Statesville.
Right yeah, this is great tohelp people Right here in
Statesville.
Speaker 3 (18:00):
Yeah Well, we do know lots of visitors know about you
, but we want to help localsreally discover Statesville and
be a tourist in their own town,like see what assets we really
have just right here, but alsoas we continue to spread the
word about what an amazingdestination Statesville is as a
(18:22):
destination, especially with theinterstates being done and the
lights being turned back on.
I'm very excited about that.
Our interstate lights are onand so and we're working on some
things for people to reallyknow that they've reached
Taitsville and you know thesefour exits, they need to be
taking them all the way down tothe Troutman exit and spend the
day enjoying the state park andcome enjoy our amazing
(18:44):
revitalized main street, andthere's just so much to do.
So, um, what, what else do youwant us to know about lake
norman state park?
Do you have like a fun, likewhat's the craziest thing you've
ever found out there, or do youhave a fun story you like to
tell people about the park, or I?
Speaker 4 (19:00):
have a fun story.
I like to tell about the park.
Well, yes, well, because I livein the park.
So one of the best things orthe craziest things I thought
that has happened to me is I wasstanding out in my front yard
and an osprey flew into one ofthe poplar trees in my front
yard and this huge crash hit theground and then it started
flopping and it was a bassReally.
(19:21):
This bird had taken a bass fromthe lake and dropped it and my
dog was going crazy because nowthere's this fish and I swear.
I know everyone says fish arebigger than they actually were,
but I swear it's from myfingertips to like my elbow this
thing was huge and it'sflopping in my yard and we're
not like right on the water likethat.
Yeah, yeah, and it didn't comedown and get it because then my
dog was on it because it wasflopping around, but that bird
(19:43):
was upset oh yeah, it lost itsdinner and it was a good dinner.
But I was like this is so cool.
I was like I live in the parkand there's a bird in my front
yard, or a bird and a fish in myfront yard.
Speaker 3 (19:54):
Do you know?
It was a good dinner becauseyou kept it.
Oh.
Speaker 1 (19:58):
Yeah, just rinse that thing off.
You're good to go.
Speaker 3 (19:59):
My dog got in and it kind of oh yeah, yeah, yeah,
that is a so I thought that wasso cool.
Speaker 4 (20:05):
You never know what you're going to see out at the
park.
We do have a lot of wildlifeout there.
Yeah, yeah, well, definitelyrecommend coming out, be
prepared, yeah.
Speaker 3 (20:14):
I'd like to catch bass that big Me too.
Yeah, you come to one of thesefree ranger fishing programs.
Speaker 1 (20:19):
Yeah yeah Fishing.
Be well on your way.
Speaker 4 (20:21):
You should see people pulling four at Lake Normand
State Park.
So if you're a fisherman,definitely come out to the park.
We get a lot of them out there.
Speaker 3 (20:29):
Yeah, yeah, that sounds great.
So lifeguard through Labor Day,but then you were saying that
the beaches open year-round.
Speaker 4 (20:35):
Yep, so the beaches open year-round.
It's just swim at your own riskwhen we don't have the
lifeguards on, but it is open aslong as the park is open.
Speaker 1 (20:43):
Same with boat rentals the year.
Speaker 4 (20:44):
Yes, as long as staffing allows it.
So in the off season or when itgets colder, we will close it
when the temperatures start todrop too low, just for safety,
but as long as we have thevisitor center staff available,
boat rentals are available, andyou guys play host to some
pretty cool events out there too, right, like, I think, every
year there's I want to call itan Ironman.
Speaker 3 (21:05):
I don't know what the exact event is called, but you
guys play host to a pretty bigyes.
Speaker 4 (21:10):
So we do have a few triathlons and road races that
come out throughout the years.
Yeah, I think we have.
I can't tell you how many comeout a year, but you'll know.
We put up our big signs and ifyou see a bunch of runners on
the roads, that's, we're havinganother race.
So, yeah, lots of big eventsfor races.
We also do the um.
(21:31):
Iredell soil and waterconservation brings out all the
fifth graders to the park to doa little station.
Um, it's in cooperation withduke, I know comes out as well.
Uh, just to help educate aboutwater too yeah, so lots of um
we're.
Speaker 3 (21:44):
We're focusing a lot as of late or over the past year
on um this area in ireellCounty being destination for
cycling.
And like Norman State Parkplays a huge part of that.
But we literally have mountainroad, gravel, dirt, we have it
all.
So we're going to be reachingout to you because we really
wanted to lean into that andeven have people do bike rentals
(22:07):
.
Speaker 4 (22:08):
Yeah, and you'll see, we don't do bike rentals at the
park, but we do get a lot ofbikers through there just
because we got the hills andthere's not as much road traffic
.
And the speed limit is 25.
Speaker 3 (22:19):
Just a reminder from the park ranger.
Speaker 1 (22:22):
That's another aspect of Frances' position there.
Speaker 3 (22:24):
So, Frances, you mentioned your website, but go
ahead and tell our listenerswhat the website is.
Speaker 4 (22:29):
So ncparksgov is where you can find all of our
events listed.
There you can find our park aswell as all the other parks and
any news or alerts that's goingon in the parks.
They'll be posted at the top ofthe website in a banner style,
so you're always in the loop ifyou're checking up with our
website.
Speaker 3 (22:43):
All right, and then all their events are out there
too, but they're also onstates1ccom.
Like I said, they've been agreat partner, so all their
events are out there on thecommunity calendar.
Speaker 1 (22:55):
So thank you, we appreciate you coming out today.
Speaker 4 (22:57):
It's free.
Go play it's free.
That's the best part An amazingasset right here in our
backyard.
Speaker 3 (23:01):
So thanks everyone, Appreciate it.
Speaker 2 (23:04):
Thank you for joining Discover Statesville.
You can email us at discover atstatesvillenccom.
Check us out on Facebook atDiscover Statesville, nc hashtag
Discover Statesville and ourwebsite, statesvillenccom.
Catch us next week as wecontinue on our journey to
(23:30):
uncover the hidden gems,culinary adventures,
entertainment, and to beinspired and enlightened as we
Discover Statesville.
Want to learn more about the 2,000-acre park right
here in our backyard and one ofthe rangers that makes sure that
it's a nice place to go play.
Tune in now.
Speaker 2 (00:07):
Welcome to Discover Statesville, the show that takes
you on a captivating journeythrough the heart of one of
North Carolina's most charmingtowns.
Speaker 3 (00:14):
Welcome back everyone .
We are so excited to have ournext episode of Discover
Statesville right here in soMedia Studios in the heart of
downtown Statesville, and todayI am super excited to have with
us Francis Casarino, who is apark ranger the lead education
ranger right, I read recently atLake Norman State Park, which
(00:37):
is an amazing destination assetwe have in our community.
So welcome, we're so excited tohave you.
Thanks for having me.
Yeah, so we happen to have thebenefit.
Thanks for having me, yeah.
Yeah, so we happen to have thebenefit of knowing a little bit
more about you, because weinterviewed you for an article
recently which will be includedwhen we put this podcast up, but
it's also out on our website.
But I found it interesting tolearn, talking about you a
(01:03):
little bit first, that youactually get to live on the park
, in the park right With yourfamily.
Speaker 4 (01:09):
Yes, ma'am, yeah, tell us a little bit about that.
Yeah, so one of the perks?
Well, I think it's a perk ofbeing a park ranger in North
Carolina is some of us do getpark housing, so we live on the
park, so my backyard is thewoods.
Speaker 1 (01:20):
Quite literally your backyard 2,000 acre backyard
that's pretty amazing.
Speaker 4 (01:24):
Well, it makes me care about it even more.
Yeah, so I definitely thinkthat's one of the perks, because
you're living where you'reworking, so the commute's not
too bad.
It's not too bad of a houseeither.
Yeah, so I can't complain.
There's four rangers gethousing at Lake Norman State
Park when we're fully staffed.
Speaker 3 (01:43):
Yeah, I did not know that and I found that very
interesting.
I wanted to share that witheverybody.
Speaker 4 (01:49):
Oh yeah, and it helps easy.
If there's ever an emergencythat happens, we're all right
there.
So if it's all hands on deck,we're all at the park, so it's
no reason to be late for work oranything like that.
Yes, I get it.
Speaker 2 (01:59):
Or that might no, I think that's a win.
Speaker 1 (02:01):
I think that's a win.
So, Frances, how long have youbeen with Lake Norman State Park
?
Speaker 4 (02:05):
So I've been in Lake Norman State Park for just over
three years.
I've been with the division forfour years.
Speaker 1 (02:09):
Okay, so where were you before Lake Norman?
Speaker 4 (02:11):
I was at Hammocks Beach State Park oh that's not a
bad place to be.
Speaker 1 (02:13):
Yeah, yeah, out on the coast, yeah.
Speaker 3 (02:19):
Bear Island.
You been in the park systemFour years Okay.
So we've had the blessing ofhaving you the longest.
Speaker 4 (02:27):
Yes, moved here and I love the area, so it's hard to
beat.
You're close to the mountains.
You can go to the city if youwant to.
Speaker 1 (02:34):
Access, access that's great yeah.
Speaker 3 (02:38):
Yeah so Meredith on our team had the opportunity to
interview you and reallyinterview you before this
podcast and what really stoodout to her is just your pure
passion that I guess you hadmentioned, that it's definitely
not a job, it's definitely yourpassion for the outdoors and
that as you were coming througheducation and stuff, you knew
that you didn't want to workinside at a desk.
Speaker 4 (03:01):
Tell us a little bit about that, yeah so in college I
got a part-time job at MyrtleBeach State Park down in South
Carolina and there I wasfull-time educator during the
summer.
So we would do up to 20programs a week for the public
and I loved it being outside.
And the more I got into mydegree, the more I realized I
did not want to be in a lab allday.
So I was going for marinescience and biology and a lot of
(03:23):
those jobs are cool, but a lotof them spend a lot of time
indoors and that is not where Ilike to be.
So with that job I realized Iwanted to do more for the parks
other than just education.
So I moved over to be anarranger down in South Carolina,
worked there for about threeyears at three different state
parks down there and thenrealized I still wanted more.
(03:43):
I wanted more In North Carolina.
The cool thing about our parksystem is we're educators, we're
law enforcement, we're wildlandfirefighters, we're emergency
medical responders, we're searchand rescue certified.
So we get all these differentumbrellas or hats that we have
to wear that are part of our job.
So it's never boring andeverything you're doing is
helping our natural resourcesand helping the public to create
(04:06):
the place where they can cometo the parks.
Speaker 3 (04:08):
So yeah, that sounds amazing.
Speaker 4 (04:10):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (04:10):
It's a lot of responsibility.
It is a lot of responsibility.
Speaker 4 (04:13):
But if you're passionate about it, it's
definitely a great career,especially if you're creating
those outdoor spaces.
My passion is for kids andhaving kids come to the park and
creating that spark in thatmoment where they're like, well,
I don't want to look at myphone anymore.
I don't want to be inside allday.
I want to come outside.
I want to go on the trails, goon a paddleboard, see nature,
see a cool animal or a tree.
Speaker 3 (04:34):
Yeah, outstanding.
Definitely love that.
Speaking of the kids, you had10 field trips over this past
year.
I think you said you reachedover 2,000 local students.
Yes, yeah.
Speaker 4 (04:46):
So we are expanding our school groups quite a lot,
and a good thing.
We do have a school and parksprogram with the whole division.
So with that we get certainteachers from schools in the
area and they get assigned toour park and then we work with
them throughout the year to getthem to come to field trips to
the state park.
And then for other schools thatmay not have enough funding,
(05:10):
our friends group, which is thevolunteer group for the park.
Speaker 3 (05:13):
Oh, talk about them.
Speaker 4 (05:14):
Yeah, yeah so they actually can help reimburse
schools that can't afford tocome out for a field trip.
So if cost is an issue, there'sa lot of different programs in
place to get those school fieldtrips out, as well, as we do a
lot of outreach programs, sogoing to schools for career days
or like bringing a program in abucket, whether it be skins and
skulls or some water qualityprograms.
(05:37):
So if schools can't come to us,we try to go to them.
Speaker 1 (05:40):
And so the schools have the ability to obviously
you have some built-inprogramming that you guys
facilitate Can schools alsocontact?
And to obviously you have somebuilt-in programming that you
guys facilitate Can schools alsocontact and you know reach out
to you and say, hey, we'restudying this.
Is there a field trip or aprogram that you could design to
help facilitate education onthis particular topic?
That may not be in your regularmenu.
Yes, okay.
Speaker 4 (05:57):
Yeah, so one of the cool things is, well, our NC
state standards for schools areall online.
Speaker 2 (06:08):
So if I get a school group say kindergartners, well
that's a bad example, they don'thave really good standards,
sorry.
Speaker 4 (06:11):
I don't know why I said kindergartners, so third
grade, say third grade scienceand they're learning about
something specific and theydon't see it as a program we've
done before.
I can work with the teacher and, based off those standards, to
develop a program for them thatthey can take back to the
classroom and talk about what welearned at the park, so that
it's relevant to the students,sure, and it's something that
they can see, that they'relearning in the classroom,
outdoors as well.
Speaker 1 (06:32):
Yeah, okay, yeah.
Speaker 4 (06:32):
Yeah, so it's really tailored to that group, to what
the teacher wants.
Speaker 1 (06:35):
That's a great service to be able to offer, as
opposed to just you can come,we've got these five programs.
Doesn't fit your mold.
You know there's otheropportunities out there.
Speaker 4 (06:43):
Oh yeah, and I think it means a lot more to the
students when it's somethingthat they can relate to and that
they've learned about in theclassroom.
Sure, especially that like ahamoment, like oh yeah, I know
what this is.
Speaker 3 (06:52):
So yeah, it's a really cool thing we do.
And, staying on topic, withpeople coming out to the park,
you mentioned a million visitorsto the park in 2023?
.
Speaker 4 (07:02):
Yeah, just under a million visitors.
So we are a highly visited park.
Yeah, lake Normandy, if youcome out on a holiday weekend.
This past year we have had toclose our swim beach and have
one in, one out and people willwait in a line down State Park
Road for hours to get into ourswim beach.
Which is like you wouldn'tthink about.
But then the locals who comeall the time, they're like what
(07:22):
big event's going on?
Speaker 2 (07:24):
It Like you wouldn't think about it.
Speaker 3 (07:24):
But, then the locals who come all the time.
They're like what big event'sgoing on?
Speaker 4 (07:27):
It's like people just want to go to the park.
Speaker 3 (07:28):
Yeah, it's not a big event.
People love it.
I will say that when we'relooking for user-generated
content to build excitementabout coming to the greater
Statesville area as a market forvisitors to travel here, we can
always count on someonechecking in and putting amazing
content at the state park.
Whether it's the beach orhiking trail or biking,
(07:48):
someone's always doing somethingcool out there and we love it.
So what is it for?
I know Richard knows with hislife in recreation and parks and
I know because of now leaninginto tourism.
But for our listeners, whywould I come to Lake Norman
State?
Speaker 1 (08:05):
Park?
Tell us about it and what can Ido there?
Yeah, all the great things.
Why would I come to Lake NormanState Park, like, tell us about
it and what can I do there?
Speaker 3 (08:06):
Yeah, all the great things that we can do at Lake
Norman State Park.
Speaker 4 (08:09):
So many things.
So one of the I think on theweekends one of the biggest
draws is we have picnic tablesand grills set up down by our
swim beach and so you can comeswim with your family from
Memorial Day to Labor Day.
We do provide lifeguards, soyour family from Memorial Day to
Labor Day.
We do provide lifeguards.
So there is a small fee to swimbut you're paying for the
lifeguards there.
Speaker 1 (08:30):
Can't put a price on safety.
Speaker 4 (08:33):
Yes, exactly, especially in a lake, you never
know what's going to Right.
Yeah, so having those picnicareas available for families we
get a lot of huge familygatherings that'll come out.
We have picnic shelters thatyou can rent if you have bigger
groups.
We have just over 30 miles ofmountain biking trails, so if
you're into mountain biking andthose are helped, maintained by
(08:53):
the Tar Heel Trailblazers, whichis another volunteer group in
the community that's helping tokeep those trails up and running
as well as we have a six milelakeshore loop which is just
hiking, and then a few smallerother trails.
So if you have tiny kids, wehave a .25 dragonfly trail loop
which is ADA accessible,stroller accessible and there's
(09:14):
interactive educational signs onthe side.
And then we do offer canoe,kayak, paddleboard and pedal
boat rentals on the weekends.
So it's $10 per hour per boat.
So that's another fun draw aswell as camping.
We got a boat ramp.
So whatever you have aninterest in, you can definitely
(09:36):
find it at the park.
Speaker 3 (09:37):
I'm always learning something new.
Did you know about theDragonfly Loop I?
Speaker 4 (09:41):
did.
Speaker 1 (09:41):
I did not.
I didn't know.
Speaker 3 (09:43):
So we're kicking off a partnership with Outdoor NC
and really featuring theoutdoors in this area and
they're really leaning intofeaturing accessible trails, and
so we're going to have to talkoffline about getting that, and
you know guides that areenjoying taking people around
and doing things out there atthe park.
(10:05):
So you have a pretty I'm goingto say it wrong.
Say the name of the bike trailEtusi, etusi.
Speaker 4 (10:15):
Yes, yeah, so originally the park was home to
the Catawba Native Americanpeople.
Okay, and Etusi is their wordfor hawk, so we do have a lot of
hawks in the park, so that'show it got the name.
Yeah, a little backgroundhistory for you Things.
Speaker 1 (10:32):
I did not know, that's right, just add it to the
list, yeah.
Speaker 3 (10:34):
So let's talk a little bit about the Friends of
Lake Norman, because there's awide variety of events that you
guys have really been.
It seems like it's getting moreand more and it's really cool.
We try to highlight them in ourevent rundown.
I know we talked about ProjectWetsum and the Star Party you
have coming up in August, buttell us about what's.
(10:55):
You know where we are at theend of August.
Yeah, Tell us about what youhave coming up the rest of the
year and then some of the otherevents, Just like I know you
guys did the solar eclipseviewing.
That was cool yeah, yeah.
Speaker 4 (11:10):
so about some of that , um, some of the events we have
coming up, so we haveprofessional development events
for informal and non-formalteachers.
So that would be project, whatit actually got pushed out until
october, I want to say, okay,uh, just because the storm that
came through, we pushed it out.
And then we have project food,land and people.
So both of those are they'redesigned for either teachers
that are in the storm that camethrough we pushed it out and
then we have Project Foodlandand People.
(11:30):
So both of those are designedfor either teachers that are in
the classroom that want to havemore education on how they can
teach about water, how they canteach about where our food comes
to students, or they're fornon-formal educators.
So if you're a librarian andyou want to know more about how
you can talk about thesesubjects to students, so that's
a really cool one forprofessional development for
people.
We did just have our end ofsummer celebration and s'mores,
(11:52):
so that was sponsored by ourfriends group.
That is a yearly event, soInternational S'mores Day is
August 10th, if you did not know.
Speaker 2 (12:00):
I didn't know, that.
Speaker 3 (12:01):
So every August 10th we need to celebrate that next
year.
Speaker 4 (12:04):
We do s'mores and then we'll do free boat rentals,
sponsored by our friends group.
So our friends group willprovide free boat rentals for
the whole day for the public tocome out and use our boats.
So it's a good time, if you'venever used the boats before, to
come out and try and test themout.
We also have a few volunteerevents, such as in September we
have National Public Lands Dayand then in October our Catawba
(12:26):
River Sweep.
So those are two events where,if you want to come back and
give back to your state parks orjust your public land that's
around you, those are greatevents for you to come out to.
Speaker 3 (12:36):
Are those like a pickup?
Speaker 4 (12:38):
Yeah, so National Public Lands Day, we'll actually
be doing something with ourtrails to help people.
I'm not too sure about thedetails just yet, but if you
look on our website, when weknow them we'll post them up
there.
And then the River Sweep is.
We go out either by paddling Ifyou have a motorized boat you
(12:58):
can bring that or you can walkthe shorelines and help just
pick up trash from the summerseason that has been on our
waterways.
And then we do a haunted hikefor—well, slightly haunted hike
for Halloween.
It's very kid-friendly.
Well, slightly haunted hike forHalloween.
It's very kid-friendly.
But we encourage people todress up.
And then our gingerbread housecompetition at the end of the
year to round it out.
And then, in addition to allthese big events that we have
(13:18):
throughout the year, monthly wetry to host at least two to
three free programs for thepublic that are ranger-led.
So these are just first-come,first-served.
You call and register for them.
Some of the ones that we do aresmall hikes for groups, fishing
with a ranger.
So we provide all the bait andtackle.
You just have to show up andyou can come fishing with us.
(13:40):
We'll take people kayaking orcanoeing and try and see what's
in the water.
So a wide variety of programslike that.
And then we have our storybookwalk on our Alder Trail, and
that changes every two months.
So it's a short under-a-miletrail and we'll have a story
walk on there so you can hikealong the trail and then read a
picture book to your Cool yeah.
Speaker 1 (14:00):
Now, things like the Gingerbread House competition
stuff.
Do those take place at theVisitor Center there?
Yes, Okay.
Speaker 4 (14:05):
Yep, and if it's anywhere else other than the
visitor center, we have awhiteboard outside the visitor
center as well, as our websitewill say the location of the
event.
Speaker 1 (14:13):
And speaking of the visitor center, you guys will
you rent some of that space formeetings and stuff?
Speaker 4 (14:19):
Yes, so we have a.
We have a few rental facilities, so our biggest would be our
community building and that'sfor rent.
How large is that?
It can hold seating.
It's just under 100 peoplestanding.
I want to say it's 120, but itis listed on our website and
it's an indoor outdoor space,has a wraparound porch and it is
(14:40):
in a section of the park that'sclosed off unless you reserve
it.
So we get a lot of weddings,baby showers, birthday party
celebrations down there, andit's really cool because it's
like your own little section ofthe park for the day and the
building's off.
You have a view of the waterall around you, especially in
the fall and winter when youdon't have as many leaves on the
trees.
You just get beautiful views ofLake Norman.
So yeah, it's a good rentalfacility.
(15:03):
Then we have four rentablepicnic shelters that people can
rent.
Two of them do have electricity, if you need that, the other
two do not, and all those comewith their picnic tables.
There's a water source nearbyand then a grill for people to
grill at.
You can bring your own grills,but there's one there if you
need it.
And then inside the visitorcenter we have a classroom and
an auditorium.
(15:23):
The classroom has a sink, soit's more, for we get a lot of
little birthday parties Like oneand two-year-olds have a lot of
birthday parties in there andthe sink's a big help,
especially when you get messyhands, and then the auditorium
has all your AV equipment.
So if you have a PowerPoint orpresentation you want to do for
a meeting, that is available.
Speaker 1 (15:43):
That may be what we used.
We had a department head staffretreat down there several years
ago and it was great.
It was just a great environmentbecause even when you're taking
a break you're walking out.
You're just outside in the park.
Speaker 3 (15:55):
Any view out there is a nice view.
And then you have some campingrentals too, right?
I mean not just like tentcamping, you have some cabins.
Speaker 4 (16:03):
Yes, we do have six camper cabins.
One is ADA accessible and thosethey are your bare-bone camper
cabins.
So there is two bunk beds inone room and then in the other
room is a full-size bed.
So you have electricity, airconditioning or heat if it's the
winter, and then there's acommunal water source.
(16:25):
But you bring everything forthe cabin.
So you have a fire ring outsidewith a little grill on top if
you want to cook over your fire,a picnic table, but you bring
your sheets and all that.
But it is an affordable placeto go near the lake.
Yeah, that's cool.
Yeah, and they're very popular.
So you can run up to six monthsin advance and, especially in
(16:45):
the summer, they'll be bookedout every weekend.
Speaker 1 (16:49):
They're a hot ticket item.
I assume that's pretty similarto the regular campsites as well
.
I mean most of your state parks, at least in North Carolina.
You know it's not much of anoption sometimes to be like, hey
, let's go camping this week.
You know, if you decide on aWednesday that you want to go
camp at Lake Norman State Park,the likelihood of finding a
campsite is probably pretty slim.
Speaker 4 (17:04):
Yeah, it's pretty rare, especially if you want a
full hookup for an RV site.
Those sites go fast.
We do only have 11 availablefor rent 11 full hookup sites.
In total, we have 44 sites, butthe rest of them are just your
standard tent site.
Primitive sites yeah, With afire ring picnic table and then
(17:24):
a tent pad.
Speaker 1 (17:25):
And how far in advance can you make campsite
reservations?
Six months, six months, okay,so plan ahead.
Speaker 4 (17:30):
Yes, plan ahead, especially in the summer.
The winter you'll get lucky,You'll probably find a spot.
But, the summer months.
Speaker 3 (17:34):
people love it With some of these events coming up,
you plan to come camp and do anevent too.
Speaker 1 (17:39):
Yeah, it'd be cool to camp and do a star party or
something like that.
Speaker 3 (17:42):
That'd being such good partners.
You really have been goodpartners in letting us know
what's going on and getting allyour events put on the community
calendar.
Speaker 4 (17:52):
Oh yeah, and y'all have helped to advertise for us,
because that's what it'samazing how many people don't
know we're right there, righthere in Statesville.
Right yeah, this is great tohelp people Right here in
Statesville.
Speaker 3 (18:00):
Yeah Well, we do know lots of visitors know about you
, but we want to help localsreally discover Statesville and
be a tourist in their own town,like see what assets we really
have just right here, but alsoas we continue to spread the
word about what an amazingdestination Statesville is as a
(18:22):
destination, especially with theinterstates being done and the
lights being turned back on.
I'm very excited about that.
Our interstate lights are onand so and we're working on some
things for people to reallyknow that they've reached
Taitsville and you know thesefour exits, they need to be
taking them all the way down tothe Troutman exit and spend the
day enjoying the state park andcome enjoy our amazing
(18:44):
revitalized main street, andthere's just so much to do.
So, um, what, what else do youwant us to know about lake
norman state park?
Do you have like a fun, likewhat's the craziest thing you've
ever found out there, or do youhave a fun story you like to
tell people about the park, or I?
Speaker 4 (19:00):
have a fun story.
I like to tell about the park.
Well, yes, well, because I livein the park.
So one of the best things orthe craziest things I thought
that has happened to me is I wasstanding out in my front yard
and an osprey flew into one ofthe poplar trees in my front
yard and this huge crash hit theground and then it started
flopping and it was a bassReally.
(19:21):
This bird had taken a bass fromthe lake and dropped it and my
dog was going crazy because nowthere's this fish and I swear.
I know everyone says fish arebigger than they actually were,
but I swear it's from myfingertips to like my elbow this
thing was huge and it'sflopping in my yard and we're
not like right on the water likethat.
Yeah, yeah, and it didn't comedown and get it because then my
dog was on it because it wasflopping around, but that bird
(19:43):
was upset oh yeah, it lost itsdinner and it was a good dinner.
But I was like this is so cool.
I was like I live in the parkand there's a bird in my front
yard, or a bird and a fish in myfront yard.
Speaker 3 (19:54):
Do you know?
It was a good dinner becauseyou kept it.
Oh.
Speaker 1 (19:58):
Yeah, just rinse that thing off.
You're good to go.
Speaker 3 (19:59):
My dog got in and it kind of oh yeah, yeah, yeah,
that is a so I thought that wasso cool.
Speaker 4 (20:05):
You never know what you're going to see out at the
park.
We do have a lot of wildlifeout there.
Yeah, yeah, well, definitelyrecommend coming out, be
prepared, yeah.
Speaker 3 (20:14):
I'd like to catch bass that big Me too.
Yeah, you come to one of thesefree ranger fishing programs.
Speaker 1 (20:19):
Yeah yeah Fishing.
Be well on your way.
Speaker 4 (20:21):
You should see people pulling four at Lake Normand
State Park.
So if you're a fisherman,definitely come out to the park.
We get a lot of them out there.
Speaker 3 (20:29):
Yeah, yeah, that sounds great.
So lifeguard through Labor Day,but then you were saying that
the beaches open year-round.
Speaker 4 (20:35):
Yep, so the beaches open year-round.
It's just swim at your own riskwhen we don't have the
lifeguards on, but it is open aslong as the park is open.
Speaker 1 (20:43):
Same with boat rentals the year.
Speaker 4 (20:44):
Yes, as long as staffing allows it.
So in the off season or when itgets colder, we will close it
when the temperatures start todrop too low, just for safety,
but as long as we have thevisitor center staff available,
boat rentals are available, andyou guys play host to some
pretty cool events out there too, right, like, I think, every
year there's I want to call itan Ironman.
Speaker 3 (21:05):
I don't know what the exact event is called, but you
guys play host to a pretty bigyes.
Speaker 4 (21:10):
So we do have a few triathlons and road races that
come out throughout the years.
Yeah, I think we have.
I can't tell you how many comeout a year, but you'll know.
We put up our big signs and ifyou see a bunch of runners on
the roads, that's, we're havinganother race.
So, yeah, lots of big eventsfor races.
We also do the um.
(21:31):
Iredell soil and waterconservation brings out all the
fifth graders to the park to doa little station.
Um, it's in cooperation withduke, I know comes out as well.
Uh, just to help educate aboutwater too yeah, so lots of um
we're.
Speaker 3 (21:44):
We're focusing a lot as of late or over the past year
on um this area in ireellCounty being destination for
cycling.
And like Norman State Parkplays a huge part of that.
But we literally have mountainroad, gravel, dirt, we have it
all.
So we're going to be reachingout to you because we really
wanted to lean into that andeven have people do bike rentals
(22:07):
.
Speaker 4 (22:08):
Yeah, and you'll see, we don't do bike rentals at the
park, but we do get a lot ofbikers through there just
because we got the hills andthere's not as much road traffic
.
And the speed limit is 25.
Speaker 3 (22:19):
Just a reminder from the park ranger.
Speaker 1 (22:22):
That's another aspect of Frances' position there.
Speaker 3 (22:24):
So, Frances, you mentioned your website, but go
ahead and tell our listenerswhat the website is.
Speaker 4 (22:29):
So ncparksgov is where you can find all of our
events listed.
There you can find our park aswell as all the other parks and
any news or alerts that's goingon in the parks.
They'll be posted at the top ofthe website in a banner style,
so you're always in the loop ifyou're checking up with our
website.
Speaker 3 (22:43):
All right, and then all their events are out there
too, but they're also onstates1ccom.
Like I said, they've been agreat partner, so all their
events are out there on thecommunity calendar.
Speaker 1 (22:55):
So thank you, we appreciate you coming out today.
Speaker 4 (22:57):
It's free.
Go play it's free.
That's the best part An amazingasset right here in our
backyard.
Speaker 3 (23:01):
So thanks everyone, Appreciate it.
Speaker 2 (23:04):
Thank you for joining Discover Statesville.
You can email us at discover atstatesvillenccom.
Check us out on Facebook atDiscover Statesville, nc hashtag
Discover Statesville and ourwebsite, statesvillenccom.
Catch us next week as wecontinue on our journey to
(23:30):
uncover the hidden gems,culinary adventures,
entertainment, and to beinspired and enlightened as we
Discover Statesville.
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