Record Numbers Experiencing Lake Lure Flowering Bridge
Please enjoy this article from The Daily Courier last week by Scott Carpenter
LAKE LURE—The bridge that was built in 1925 to carry automobiles across the Broad River between Lake Lure and Chimney Rock, stopped doing so 85 years later in 2010. In 2011, citizens came together with a grand idea to preserve the old structure that is now home to 2000 species of plants and welcomes thousands of visitors each year.
This season has been no different, except that more and more people are discovering the beauty of The Lake Lure Flowering Bridge.
About 40 volunteers work on the bridge, which is actually a small park, each week, making sure it is in immaculate condition and filled with lush greenery, and vibrant colorful flowers.
There are individual themed gardens on the bridge, as well as in the immediate area on each side of the bridge. There are whimsical themes, as well as rose, tropical, wildflower, and herb gardens.
“Most recently we have added a pollinator garden, a children's garden, and also a dog garden,” said Debbie Clark.
Clark serves as board vice-president of the nonprofit Friends of the Lake Lure Flowering Bridge, and also co-chair of the marketing committee and gardens committee. Friends of the Lake Lure Flowering Bridge is the entity that created and maintains the flowering bridge park.
Rutherford County outdoor attractions in general enjoyed a surge in tourists during the covid pandemic, and the Lake Lure Flowering Bridge is no exception.
“Our numbers are really growing,” Clark said. “We do have a lot of local people who come, but also many are the tourists visiting the Chimney Rock, Lake Lure area. They see or hear about the bridge, and it's something else for them to do while they are here on vacation.”
It is not unusual to see individuals taking photos with their telephones. And it has also become more common to see folks dressed up, and having graduation pictures and prom pictures taken on the bridge.
“Professional photographers are also coming more and more, and taking wedding and engagement photographs here,” Clark said. “Though wedding ceremonies are not allowed on the bridge, we welcome anyone to come and take photographs.”
The park is free to visit, and is open 24 hours.
Because the flowering bridge is so rare (there are only two known flowering bridges in the United States, the other is in Massachusetts), Clark said Lake Lure Flowering Bridge has received quite a bit of publicity over the past few years.
“The bridge has really gotten a lot of attention from bloggers and podcasters,” Clark explained. “Some are visiting from as far away as California and Florida, and posting about the Lake Lure Flowering Bridge on YouTube.”
People visit the bridge, volunteers say, because it is beautiful and unique. It is also peaceful, tranquil, and offers views of Chimney Rock and also the river as it flows into Lake Lure.
“We love the fact that visitors are also inspired,” Clark said. “We hear them talk about how they perhaps can add to their own flower gardens, or convert a new space into flower beds as we have done here.”
For the volunteers, the Lake Lure Flowering Bridge has also become a community, where new friendships are grown and old ones are renewed.
“For those who are interested, this is a great way to meet new people in town,” Clark said.
She notes that not all the volunteers are experts at flower gardening. Some, Clark said, are beginners, while some are artists and designers. They all come together because they love the bridge.
Clark says the Flowering Bridge can't really grow any larger, as all the space is now utilized. Now the volunteers are focusing more on education.
Each month, a free class is offered, on the bridge. Classes last about an hour and focus on different topics, such as pruning plants, pollinators, or how to grow roses. These classes are held from spring through autumn.
Since its creation, the Lake Lure Flowering Bridge has been recognized by the National Wildlife Federation as a certified wildlife habitat, and is certified and registered by the Monarch Watch as an official Monarch Waystation. It is also a designated public garden along the Rosalynn Carter Butterfly Trail.
For more information about the Lake Lure Flowering Bridge, visit www.lakelurefloweringbridge.org.
Podcast about the bridge last week – Roger Downes
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https://www.spreaker.com/user/15997297/flowering-bridge-lake-lure
The Lake Lure Flowering Bridge
The bridge was awarded the Traveler’s Choice Award for 2022 from Tripadvisor. This award is given to accommodations, attractions, and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
