Peddle, Foot, & Paddle Race on the Outer Banks

Posted on March 1, 2010

Wednesday, April 7th, 2010
Currituck Heritage Park in Corolla, NC
Hosted by the Whalehead Preservation Trust.

Proceeds support the ongoing preservation of the Whalehead Club and Currituck Heritage Park.

7-mile pedal through Corolla
3-mile beach run at low-tide
2-mile kayak paddle

For the more leisurely-minded enjoy the half mile fun walk, “Light to Land”- climb the Currituck Beach Lighthouse, then stroll through the park to the front porch of the Whalehead Club.

Celebrating Outer Banks History and Ecology in a Beautiful OBX Setting

Posted on March 1, 2010

Heritage Park on the Outer Banks

Currituck County’s Heritage Park, located in Corolla, celebrates the history of the Outer Banks in a very picturesque setting.

The park is made up of the Currituck Beach Lighthouse, the Whalehead Club, and the Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education.

Completed in 1875, the Currituck Beach Lighthouse has been a popular tourist attraction and a beacon of hope for vessles that are lost at sea. The Lighthouse sits 180 feet high and is the only lighthouse in the area available to climb year round. The view from the top is astounding. The Lighthouse offers a 360 view of the area, so you will be the Currituck Sound to the west and the Atlantic Ocean to the east.
The Whalehead Club offers an example of art deco architechture. The Building has been restored and many of the original fixtures. The Club was originally a hunt club that primarily catered to wealthy businessmen from the Northeast.
Within walking distance from the club is the Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education. The Center offers ecological studies from the area. It boasts one of the largest decoy collections in the world. The museum is situated on a life-size marsh including a 12,000 gallon aquarium.

Northern Outer Banks to Rewrite Planning & Zoning Rules

Posted on March 1, 2010

Clarion Associates, a consulting firm from Chapel Hill, NC was recently hired to help Currituck County rewrite their planning and zoning rules; the county will rewrite thier entire Unified Developement Ordinance.

The first two meetings were held last week, and they gave county residents a chance to weigh in on the issues. About 30 residents stopped by the meeting. Attendees were given a series of 35 questions. The questions were split into two categories, Currituck Mainland and Currituck Outer Banks.

A representative from Clarion Associates commented, “We found it very helpful, especially when you’re getting results consistently, when 80 or 90 respondents favor one preference over another.” The main objectives for the UDO rewrite, according to Clarion Associates, is to ensure the environment is protected, agriculture remains viable, and county residents’ quality of life isn’t negatively affected. The updates are also designed to make the county’s planning codes more user friendly.