The Shadow
Dear Editor,
In your Sept. 15 edition, The Shadow lamented the Alleghany County Board of Supervisors’ decision to construct a Cowpasture River Access Park near the Sharon Senior Citizens building. The Shadow stated that property owners along the Cowpasture are concerned that people enjoying the proposed access park will spoil the beauty that is the beloved Cowpasture with beer cans and other trash and pollution and “have no respect for other people’s rights.”
The Shadow also stated “the access boat landing will be a good thing … as long as the ones using the river will respect the landowners.”
I would like to tell a short story that may help The Shadow in his dilemma.
Several years ago, the town of Iron Gate proposed and established a park on the Cowpasture River on a small piece of property formerly known as “Oakey’s Swimming Hole.” The property is literally at the end of Fork Farm Road in Alleghany County. As The Shadow is concerned now, residents along Fork Farm Road and along the Cowpasture River were also concerned. The residents were concerned that those who would use the Iron Gate Park would not act in a responsible manner. Beer cans and other trash would pollute the Cowpasture River and litter the surrounding properties.
Adjacent property owners were concerned that their rights would not be respected.
The concerned property owners decided to attend a meeting of the town of Iron Gate’s monthly council meeting to voice their concerns. At this meeting of the town council, also in attendance was Buck Rumpf, who was there to report on the monthly meeting. At the appropriate time, a spokesman for the property owners got up and eloquently asked for two simple things, responsibility and respect. For the town to act as a responsible steward of the park, river and surrounding nature. For those that would use the park to act in a responsible manner when at the park and not pollute the river or litter the surrounding land. Finally, for the town and patrons of the park to respect the rights of the property owners along Fork Farm Road.
At the end of the meeting, Mr. Rumpf approached the group of property owners and had a short discussion with them.
Mr. Rumpf stated that there was nothing the property owners could do about the park, so just live with it. Of course I am paraphrasing Mr. Rumpf.
However, Mr. Rumpf was wrong then. There are always actions concerned citizens can take when faced with dilemmas. In this case, residents on Fork Farm Road established a Neighborhood Watch.
The Shadow’s fears were born out in the case of the Iron Gate Cowpasture River Park, at the beginning. In the first couple of years, there were incidents. Beer cans, baby diapers and other assorted trash were found floating down the Cowpasture. Other incidents occurred at the park and along Fork Farm Road. When incidents occurred, the Alleghany Sheriff’s Office was notified and incidents were resolved, probably much to the consternation of Sheriff Hall and his personnel.
However, much to my surprise and pleasure, incidents at the Iron Gate Cowpasture River Park have decreased over the past couple of years. Those that abused the park and river have mainly moved on. Now the park is primarily visited by families, those that want to enjoy an afternoon of fishing, swimming and cooking out. These patrons of the park generally act in a responsible and respectful manner in regards to the use of the park and regarding the residents along Fork Farm Road. A peaceful co-existence has developed between the town and the residents along Fork Farm Road.
So, the moral of the story is this: you can follow Mr. Rumpf’s advice and do nothing, or find a means to get involved, take the appropriate action, be responsible stewards, respect your neighbor and protect the beauty that is the Cowpasture River and its surroundings.
Sincerely,
Ronald A. Schoop
Fork Farm Road
Iron Gate
