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RC Optimist Club to Break Ground on Park

From staff reports

A Rye Cove community service organization officially breaks ground this Friday on a new park that will highlight their history.

The event begins at 10 a.m. on Sept. 23 at the site of the new “Community Park by Optimist Club” on Rye Cove Memorial Road.

Residents in Rye Cove formed an Optimist Club in 2007 as a way to represent their community. With a historic past the includes the Carter’s Fort, the Stage Coach Stop, the Brick Church, the Washington Institute, the Fincastle Turnpike, the devastating Rye Cove Tornado of 1929 and the unusual rock fences that remain in the area, club members wanted a place to showcase their region’s history.

“In the process of sharing ideas the club discovered how little was known about our history in Rye Cove,” explained Hazel Stanley, president of the Rye Cove Optimist Club. “After much discussion the club decided to look for a place to display the historical information.”

John Hackney, a member of the club, noted that family research aided members in their search for historical facts about Rye Cove.

“The more we talked about our heritage the more interesting it became,” he said. “We realized how little we knew about Rye Cove's history until we started sharing information about each others’ family history in the Cove.”

During their search club members discovered the existence of a church that had previously been located on a parcel of land fronting on Rye Cove Memorial Road, which was formerly known as the Fincastle Turnpike. The turnpike was used by early settlers on their journey westward and led into the Wilderness Road.

The Carter Town Baptist Church was built in 1870 and was destroyed by fire around 1923, suspected to have started from the carbide lights in use at the time.

Optimist members discovered the property was owned by the Clinch Valley Baptist Association. The association graciously agreed to donate the land to the Rye Cove Optimist Club for the purposes of opening a park in their community.

“The trustees of the Clinch Valley Baptist Association decided that since it was going to be for public use they would deed the property to the Rye Cove Community Optimist Club,” Hackney added. “Several avenues of people have caused this idea to be developed. Hazel Stanley, our club president, might be short and dainty, but she can be a pusher also. lf you don‘t believe me, try to keep up with her.

“Many, many other club members and community people contributed to making this day possible. We realize there is still work to do, but due to some setbacks earlier. We felt we needed to at least get the park dedicated and in use.”

Representatives of the Rye Cove Optimist Club will hold the ground-breaking ceremony Friday, Sept. 23 at 10 a.m. at the site. The new park will be officially titled, “Community Park by Optimist Club.”

According to Stanley, the container where the carbide was stored that was used at the church will be preserved in the new park along with other historical facts, displays and artifacts.

The public is invited to join the festivities.