Donations for the Art Lilley Memorial Campground at Uwharrie

twdcmd

New Member
Joined
Mar 28, 2006
Location
Danville, VA
As some of you know the National Forest Service is naming a campground/parking area after our lost hero, MSG Art Lilley. The location for the campground is in Uwharrie National Forest where we hold the spring and fall events . For those who may not know, Art was a loyal friend and staff member over on ZuWharrie . He was killed in action in Afghanistan on June 15th of this past year.

The National Forest Service has limited funding that is cut more and more every year. We'd like to do whatever we can to make this the best campground in the park as it will carry Arts name . We're starting off by trying to pay for the sign. The cost for the sign is $400.20 and the signmaker has it ready to pick up . We have until Feb. 15th to raise these funds.

After the sign is paid for we are going to start collecting money to buy the supplies needed to build ATV loading ramps in the camp area. We are currently waiting on bids so that we can get an idea of what this will cost and also looking for companies to supply the needed materials. We also plan to approach the ATV groups who also use the park to ask for help in raising part of the needed funds.

Please understand that we cannot donate funds directly to the National Forest Service because cash donations must go into the overall park fund. The sign payment will go directly to the manufacturer of the sign , and the lumber for the ramps will be paid for and delivered by Zuwharrie Staff and volunteers with the donations raised.

Here's the link to donate through paypal:
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webs...ode=USD&lc=US&bn=PP-DonationsBF&charset=UTF-8

If you'd rather donate by check, shoot me a PM and I can get you in touch with the right people
 
I knew art personally, I actually found a few old pics of art i had from a uwharrie trip years go(I need to get them posted).. With that said, im in the sign biz, could you forward me the info on that sign that your getting made, because if the deal isnt set in stone maybe i could do a little better.. if its already taken care of, please don't let me step on any toes...


Will there be any work days for this camp? if so please let me know that also.. I'm glad this dream is becoming a reality.. Then again im sure he is looking down on us right now laughing that we are making such a big deal over it!
 
Thanks man, the sign is already made or very nearly there. The people that make all of the signs for Uwharrie are taking care of it. I think it may have been a contract thing.

I can guarantee he's laughing, he would tell us all we were idiots for putting this much effort in just for him. I don't think he ever really knew what kind of impact he had...not that he would have admitted it anyway.

No work days yet as far as I know...Janet Becker or Deborah Walker would be the best bet to find out that info.

When we (Zuwharrie) asked what we could do to make the campground a reality, they said the sign and the ATV ramps would be the best thing.

Thanks for anyone that can donate, keep Art's family in your thoughts and prayers, the 1 yr anny is not all that far away.
 
BTT - Any one have some information about this new camping area? Searching Google brought me back here....

Is it Tent only?

How much room is there up there?

A pic or 2 would be cool.

Any info appreciated while I continue to search...
 
Yager, I'll try to get some pics when I'm down there for Zuwharrie next month...from what I understand, it will be tent and there are plans for a bathhouse in the future. Not sure yet if the ATV ramps have been built, we got the materials to them, but I haven't checked with Janet to see where that's at.
 
I'm looking at heading down this weekend, wanted to make sure it was big enough to fit in the van+trailer and not clog up the place.. Possibly stay the night.

Definitely get me some pics (anyone) we'll get a new page started with all the information on the place to make sure it gets used properly.. What to expect, rules.

Thanks!
 
It is just a HUGE gravel lot right now with fencing around it? I was there / saw it last December when we went thru.

There was a couple berms / beams built up that would allow easy access to unload an ATV.

It is located off of Falls Dam on the end closer to the gun range. Instead of turning onto the trail system you will keep going a bit further and turn left onto...(insert trail/road # here)... which is a gravel road.

That will take you directly to the campground area / parking lot. ( I would guess the parking area is the same size or bigger than Eldorado if I am remembering correctly, did not think to snap pictures) This is the area where the old / big poser boulder at the end of the trail, certainly plenty of room for your van/trailer / rig.

Sam
 
OK, Cool, Yes it's at the end of 516 as seen on this map from Don & Darlene Custer (http://home.windstream.net/ezduzit/uwharrie.gif) lower left side of map. My understanding is the gates are now open and the gravel road takes you in to the top of the hill.

I asked as I wasn't sure what exactly had been done with the area up there. I'll prolly swing by and check it out anyway..
 
http://www.nc4x4.com/forums/showthread.php?t=63031

At the very bottom of that thread, there is a picture of the blue/white K5 in the big mud hole on Dickey Bell. Behind him there is a fence / beyond that fence you can see the unloading ATV ramp / parking lot that is part of this campground! To the right of that picture is another much bigger fenced in lot that is the camping part I believe.

I will make sure to take some pictures of it this weekend if I can to post on here!

Sam
 
Back
Top