Uwharrie National Forest and Art Lilley's Legacy. (campground in his name)

[Blue Ridge Runner]

I just spoke to Deborah Walker at Uwharrie National Forest and she has agreed to name the new campground that will be located trailside at the top of Falls Dam in honor of Art. I made the suggestion to her that it be called "The Art Lilley Memorial Campground." Construction will begin in August of 2007 and be finished by January of 2008. They are currently in the bidding phase for a contractor to do the work. State and federal funds have already been approved. Dedication could be at the spring Zuwharrie event if we want it that way. The NFS may ask for our help on the sign possibly. I think we could do something nice in that area.This campground will have direct access to the trails also.

Keep in mind that we are in the early stages of this project. I am sure that as any other project there will be bumps in the trail.

I will be in contact with the NFS in order to find out what we can do to assist in this project.

I truly believe that God has blessed us with this. This is happening way too easy. I look forward to bring updates and possibly pictures of this as it happens.

We did not get a trail. But we did get a campground that is on the trail. 20 years from now when you take you kids to camp at this campground you can tell your kids the story of MSGT. Art Lilley and his love for God, his family, our country, and his Zuwharrie Family.

My hat is off to the Janet Becker, Deborah Walker, and The NFS. The off-road community appreciates you. God bless you.

I am so excited!!!!!!

Here is a map of the possible location (lower left corner):

[suzukiparts1]

AWESOME!!!!!!!!!

Keep us posted on what we can do to help!

[R/T]

Absolutely awesome!
Great work Jimmy, and thanks to everyone who were trying to find a way to keep the memory alive! You know the Zu is in for any way we can help!

[Joe S.]

AWESOME WORK JIMMY!!! i THANK YOU for spearheading this!! you really got it done!

I am sure that as any other project there will be bumps in the trail.

it wouldnt be off road if there werent!

man this is GREAT news!!! so will it be large enough to hold zuwharrie there?

[beekiller]

Thanks for the great work Jim. That's great news. 

[zukbilly]

AWESOME JOB Jimmy

[Blue Ridge Runner]

Your welcome. I had help. Someone was praying for this. It came way too easy. The good Lord must have liked the idea too. Its not done yet but I believe the whole thing should go smooth. I will talk to Deborah more once the project gets moving about the sign. I would like to see a sign with a plaque below it telling the world who Art was and why the campground was named for him. I am sure the NFS has regulations on this so we will do whatever they ask in that respect.

I don't know how many sites there will be there. Zuwharrie is a large event. There may not be enough room there for it. Group Camp is nearly too small for us now. I will post more when I know more. Deborah did tell me that the gates on 516 will be opened permanently for traffic once the campground opens. The OHV traffic may have to share 516 for a while until other arrangements can be made. That could also lead to a new trail opening for OHVs possibly.

I am stoked!  

[jerseyzuks]

Jimmy you rock!

[Blue Ridge Runner]

Jimmy you rock!

I had motivation. The guy that this place will be named for motivated me. Thanks Dan.

[yoothgeye]

This is awesome, great work! So, who's gonna carve the sign?

[SJ410kelly]

Thanks Jimmy and all who helped this is wonderful.

[Blue Ridge Runner]

This is awesome, great work! So, who's gonna carve the sign?

I gotta find out what they want. I am sure there are sign regulations. I am sure we have someone here that can do it or has a connection to someone that can. Thanks.

[yoothgeye]

I gotta find out what they want. I am sure there are sign regulations. I am sure we have someone here that can do it or has a connection to someone that can. Thanks.

Something like this maybe?

[energizer85]

isnt that location where the big mud hole is on top of the lil hill?

[Blue Ridge Runner]

isnt that location where the big mud hole is on top of the lil hill?

That is the spot. Patrick should be real happy about this. 

[durnzuki]

That is the spot. Patrick should be real happy about this. 

  he will never get to see it,  he is allergic to mud now.

[energizer85]

man thats gay the whole forest and they pick my fav part to build a campground on jeez

[Capn_Crunch]

What a BEAUTIFUL gesture on their part.

[Blue Ridge Runner]

man thats gay the whole forest and they pick my fav part to build a campground on jeez

The 516 access road was probably the reason. Its already there.

[energizer85]

yeah i know i just like to complain lol ill jsut have to rut out another hole

[Blue Ridge Runner]

What a BEAUTIFUL gesture on their part.

Thats the truth. We need to show the NFS at Uwharrie our appreciation. They did not have to do this. Boy I am glad they did though.  

[t0nKaTrAcKeR]

This is awesome news !!! Good Work Jimmy! When time comes around for the sign let me know I am sure I can pull some strings. One of my friends owns Router Banks Sign Art and Vehicle Graphics (www.routerbanks.com) here in Moyock and custom router-ed (is that a word) signs are his forte. I have known him forever and he also served in the USN and was more than happy to help out with the raffle for his fellow serviceman

[Joe S.]

jimmy when should we send thank you letters?

[BeachBum]

Thanks to you Jimmy as well as any who helped you this is really great for Art's Memeroy as well as the Zu an and all the four wheelin friends that Art had .

[sukibogger]

I will be at uwharrie this weekend, I can take a few pics of were this is, for the people who don't know the trails.

[VA88ZUK]

That is the spot. Patrick should be real happy about this. 

It'll give me more of a reason to go up there now, and no more mud



Jimmy, I know that you may have had a lot of help with this, but your leadership in spearheading this has been impressive and commnedable!

I think that you'll have done your friend proud!

[ZUKIMON]

Awesome work and news Jimmy!! I will do all that I can to help out.

[Willc]

Great job
 For those who did not know there is septic already in place up there that is why the fence is there.I think Bruce told me it was an old ranger station at one point

[bearingman]

  Good news.  Maybe the sign could be the same design as the memorial t shirts?

GT

[Eldorado Outpost]

Yes, GREAT Job Jimmy! I received your email this evening and will post the article at the Outpost. If any of you guys have a color picture that you can drop by I will put it with the article. The campground will be a perfect memorial for Art. A big thanks to Deborah also.   --   If there is anyway that I can help just let me know.  You know you guys are welcome to use the Outpost grounds for any of your fund raising ideas. The North lawn at the Outpost is a great staging area, and there is plenty of parking across the road. Just let me know if I can help. I'll miss Art coming in ahead of the events and just hanging out. We've all certainly lost a good friend, and this is a great way for us to express our appreciation back to him.  --- My contact info is chris@eldoradooutpost.com  - 910-572-3474

[bcrewcaptain]

Yes, GREAT Job Jimmy! I received your email this evening and will post the article at the Outpost. If any of you guys have a color picture that you can drop by I will put it with the article. The campground will be a perfect memorial for Art. A big thanks to Deborah also.   --   If there is anyway that I can help just let me know.  You know you guys are welcome to use the Outpost grounds for any of your fund raising ideas. The North lawn at the Outpost is a great staging area, and there is plenty of parking across the road. Just let me know if I can help. I'll miss Art coming in ahead of the events and just hanging out. We've all certainly lost a good friend, and this is a great way for us to express our appreciation back to him.  --- My contact info is chris@eldoradooutpost.com  - 910-572-3474

[R/T]

Chris, since you're here, let me personally thank you for all you've done and offered to do for Zuwharrie for all these years. We especially appreciate the help of you and the staff there now while we're trying to honor our friend. I just want you to please pass to the folks there that they ARE appreciated!

R/T

[jtaj77]

Good work Jimmy.

[Blue Ridge Runner]

Yes, GREAT Job Jimmy! I received your email this evening and will post the article at the Outpost. If any of you guys have a color picture that you can drop by I will put it with the article. The campground will be a perfect memorial for Art. A big thanks to Deborah also.   --   If there is anyway that I can help just let me know.  You know you guys are welcome to use the Outpost grounds for any of your fund raising ideas. The North lawn at the Outpost is a great staging area, and there is plenty of parking across the road. Just let me know if I can help. I'll miss Art coming in ahead of the events and just hanging out. We've all certainly lost a good friend, and this is a great way for us to express our appreciation back to him.  --- My contact info is chris@eldoradooutpost.com  - 910-572-3474

Thanks Chris. I really appreciate all The Outpost does for us at every event. You guys do a great job. I got the call from Deborah about an hour after I sent you the e-mail. If you played a part in this I really appreciate it. Thank you for supporting the OHV community.

Guys, I really did not do a whole lot. I just left Deborah a message Friday asking her for a trail or something else and today she call me back and we had a short discussion and she agreed to name the campground in honor of Art. This was a case were timing was right on the money. She needed to name the campground and we needed a way to honor Art at Uwharrie. My hat is off to Deborah Walker and Uwharrie National Forest.

As for the sign. We need to wait a while for the construction phase to get done. I will get the details on the sign from the NFS at a later date.

Thanks to everyone her for the support. Its really appreciated.

[energizer85]

be sure and let us know when. im only 20 mins away and would be glad to help out anyway i can

[Warpig]

Great job, I think that is a wonderful spot, but will the mud hole be disapearing or is the camp site up from it?

[Blue Ridge Runner]

Great job, I think that is a wonderful spot, but will the mud hole be disapearing or is the camp site up from it?

Not sure yet. I was told that that would be the general area. Chances are that the road will probably take the mud hole out. 

I hate mud. 

[Blue Ridge Runner]

Folks I believe Janet Becker also was a part of this happening and I would also like to thank her personally.

There are many of ya'll that don't know who Janet is until you camp at Arrowhead and she stops by in her jacked up golf cart just to say hello. Janet is a great person and over the years she has gained the respect of many campers and trail riders at Uwharrie.

Janet has served as host at Arrowhead Campground for many years. She does a great job and I hope that she continues to remain for as long as possible. Its nice to have a person as nice as her there to help us and keep us inline. Janet also is the owner/administrator of http://www.uwharrieinfo.us which provides information to the general public for the UNF. She does a great job there also. There is a thread on this topic located HERE.

Thank you Janet. You are a great friend.

[sammi_davis]

 Thanks Jimmy and to everyone else .

[Blue Ridge Runner]

Your welcome but I really did nothing more than ask. The credit should go to The staff and management at Uwharrie National Forest. Uwharrie Rocks! 

[sammi_davis]

Uwharrie Rocks!

 No pun intended ? 

 If they need any help with the campground I will do anything I can to help .

[Willc]

Maybe I should go see if i get the host duties! some pay off my house so I can camp 24/7

[GenXr]

Right on bro!!

[Surly]

Deborah did tell me that the gates on 516 will be opened permanently for traffic once the campground opens.

That's been a long time coming! I don't think they'll be missed by many.

For those who did not know there is septic already in place up there that is why the fence is there.I think Bruce told me it was an old ranger station at one point

That explains the smell of the mud!

Great news Jimmy, thanks for all you've done.

[Blue Ridge Runner]

It was really easy to get done. I just asked. I really would like to get a letter to give to The Lilley Family stating that the NFS plans to honor Art. I need to call her back and  get that done.

Thanks. 

[Dashek]

It was really easy to get done. I just asked. I really would like to get a letter to give to The Lilley Family stating that the NFS plans to honor Art. I need to call her back and  get that done.

Thanks. 

Mom would like that.

Again you guys Rock.  I see why Artie spent so much time here.

[Blue Ridge Runner]

Mom would like that.

Again you guys Rock.  I see why Artie spent so much time here.

I am gonna try an call her tomorrow. 

[Blue Ridge Runner]

Left her a message this morning. I also heard this morning that reporter for The Montgomery Herald may be doing a story on Art, Uwharrie, the future campground, and Zuwharrie. This is not confirmed yet though.

[energizer85]

ahhh i love living in montgomery county

[KrystleClear]

I might actually read the Monkey Herald that week!

[rockinredzook]

That is the coolest. He really got me going on Zuks and Uwharrie....

[weed]

This is very cool! you all are some great people/friends to be doing this   Weed

[ka4yqi]

Man this is just OUTSTANDING!!

[dylan]

man thats gay the whole forest and they pick my fav part to build a campground on jeez

i know
not fun now but its for art.

[durnsbtr1/2]

Dylan, I am so proud of you for saying what you said about this campground being dedicated to Art.  For a 10 year old that is a very grown up thing to say.  You see, you do have a little bit of your mom in you,  not all your dad.

love you
MOM

[dylan]

.....IM LIKE MY DAD CANT U TELL MY MOTTO IS  FLOOR IT!!!

[durnsbtr1/2]

It aint so bad being like your dad,  you get your sense of humor from him but you get your wisdom from me, he he he

mom

[dylan]

no....

[zorproducts]

Wow, this is really amazing. Great way to remember Art now and forever.
MY

[SANDMANZUK]

Anyone have any new info on the campsite or the sign ?

[Blue Ridge Runner]

Not yet but I will soon be in touch with the Forest Service to get more info.

[Blue Ridge Runner]

Construction has begun:

I just received this e-mail message from Deborah Walker at UNF.

Just to let your group know that we have closed down Falls Dam Trail for a
few months to get the parking lots constructed. You will have to loop back
around from Wolfden or Dickey Bell. Hope to have the work completed by the
time trails open in the spring.
~Deborah~

In a later e-mail today she also stated that dedication letters will be going out to Art's family tomorrow. 

[yager]

Hey all, I was searching for some info on this (Art Lilly) camping area and found this thread.    Is there some updated information on the camping area ?   I'd like to understand the layout and any restrictions before I decided to camp up there.  Primitive ?   Suitable for truck campers or self contained?   Outhouse ? 

A map or some pics would be great.

Anyone with some links or more info please update this sticky

Thanks!
-yager

[sammi_davis]

 The last thing I was told was that for now it would be a user defined primitive area .

[Surly]

No outhouses yet.

[R/T]

The outhouses are installed and the place looks nice with 2 large parking areas

[Orionn]

Does anyone have recent pictures?

Also, how is the family doing? any updates?
I have been gone for awhile now.

[Carolina_Zuk]

Does anyone have recent pictures?

Also, how is the family doing? any updates?
I have been gone for awhile now.

The family is doing great!