New Public Boat Landing Now Open in Botetourt County

4/10/2013
Fincastle, VA – Residents and visitors to Botetourt County have several new opportunities to enjoy the outdoors as the Botetourt County Parks, Recreation & Tourism Department (PR&T) announces the opening of several free recreational amenities.

As part of the County’s development of the Upper James River Water Trail, the new Gala Public Boating Access, located just off Route 220 between Eagle Rock and Iron Gate, is now open for boaters and anglers. The County recently completed the construction of a hand-carry boat ramp and a parking area for over 20 vehicles and trailers with direct access to the James River via Sinking Creek for rafts, canoes, kayaks and john boats.

“The site is ideal and one that the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries had identified many years ago as a prime location for a boat launch,” stated Pete Peters, Director of Parks, Recreation and Tourism for Botetourt County. “By utilizing Sinking Creek and the existing railroad trestle, we are able to provide a safe passage to the James River and make another section of the river more accessible to recreational paddlers and fishermen.”

The Gala site became possible after the County signed separate lease agreements with Bonnie Anderson and Richard Thompson for 4 acres along Sinking Creek and with Jerry Fraley to utilize a gravel road off of Route 220 to access the property. Funding for the site was realized through contributions from local stakeholders and grants from the NiSource Charitable Foundation and the Alleghany Foundation.

The Gala site becomes Botetourt‘s second new public boating access on the James in the last twelve months, as the County opened the Alpine Public Boating Access, located off of Rocky Point Road and Gilmer’s Mill Road just north of Buchanan, in April of 2012. In total, the Upper James River Water Trail now offers eight public boating access points along the 45-miles of river located in Botetourt County. To learn more, including suggested itineraries and maps, information on canoe and kayak outfitters, visit www.upperjamesriverwatertrail.com.
 For more information, contact Parks, Recreation and Tourism Office at 540-473-8326 Click here to see full article:  http://botetourt.org/news_events/news_item_detail.php?press_release_ID=604