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By Jim Buice

For the Clemmons Courier

Getting around Clemmons can be a challenge at times, but the village sees better days ahead by moving forward with multiple transportation projects and adding to the growing network of sidewalks.

Expanding opportunities for pedestrians has been a priority, according to Mike Gunnell, village manager, “to make getting around easier, safer and more efficient for everyone. We will also be completing updates to three transportation plans.

“I am so proud of the work being put out by our planning department. They are out in the community listening to people and performing walk audits with residents to understand where residents are walking and biking.”

Mayor Mike Rogers agreed that he was excited about the town’s ongoing sidewalk construction, “which will improve walkability and make it easier for residents to walk to local businesses and community spaces such as the YMCA and Tanglewood through the new sidewalk network on Harper Road.”

The events lineup recently featured the Wheels & Squeals Fest and some of the 73 activities available throughout Forsyth County Creek Week — with a heavy Clemmons presence.

“These initiatives highlight our town’s commitment to enhancing quality of life and creating a vibrant, connected community,” Rogers said. “I am also excited about the upcoming Clemmons Farmers Market season, which not only supports local farmers and artisans but also offers residents access to fresh, locally sourced produce and handmade goods.”

Gunnell said his favorite days are the ones that feature the village’s community events. 

“Monster Dash and Goblin Hop is my personal favorite,” he said, “but the Clemmons Farmers Market, Summer Shindig, and the tree lighting are some of our biggest ones that strengthen our community identity. 

“I look forward to seeing what our events coordinator will put together for each event. They are always so creative. The baby pigs at Wheels & Squeals is a fun idea to go along with the touch a truck component.”

One of the big things that happened last year came in March when it was announced that the village was acquiring more than 12 acres of land from Novant Health adjacent to Village Point Greenway and Fishing Pier right in the middle of town.

Since that time, Clemmons has moved forward with several important additions.

“We have approved the design of a new building at Village Point Greenway that will house our Clemmons Public Safety Office as well as space for village staff that engage in events,” Rogers said. “This structure will also have four restrooms on the bottom level, which will provide an amenity that was unaffordable previously.”

Gunnell said that after design and permitting, there are hopes of starting construction in the summer in a location just beyond the Village Point Greenway where there is a section of woods. 

Rogers added, “This overall project, along with the land purchases, has been made possible with a grant from the N.C. 2023-2025 biennium budget in the amount of $4.8 million. Thanks to N.C. District 74 Rep. Jeff Zenger for his assistance in securing this funding for the village of Clemmons.”

In a council meeting in February, more positive information was shared about the possibility regarding substantial grant money being available for a farmers’ market structure that could be part of the property acquired last year along the Village Point Greenway.

Assistant Manager Amy Flyte said that the farmers’ market manager, Lynette Fox, discovered this possible funding source through the N.C. Tobacco Trust Fund Commission. Flyte then prioritized working on submitting a grant request in advance of a deadline in hopes of receiving feedback to improve the village’s chances of making a strong case to receive $800,000 — with Clemmons only needing to commit a 20 percent match of $200,000.

“This is envisioned to be a multi-purpose structure, an open-air kind of place, but this would get our vendors and visitors out of the uneven parking lot (at the current site, the Jerry Long Family YMCA), provide ADA capacity and get power out there so you wouldn’t have to use generators. Power also means we could have WiFi.

“We won’t hear back from this until the end of the year, but it will help us branch out to do some kind of winter market, maybe do some night markets, but we can’t do that if we don’t control the facility. And we have some space now.”

Another area not to be ignored in importance to residents is leaf pickup for everyone and stormwater projects for those in need.

“Looking back at 2024 and into the first part of 2025, one standout was the impact of the great weather on our leaf collection season,” Rogers said. “Favorable conditions allowed for an extended and efficient collection period, enabling us to complete the schedule while maintaining high service levels. The dry weather allowed us to complete major culvert replacement and repair projects.

Rogers also noted seeing new homes on vacant lots in the Brewer Road area near Clemmons Elementary School.

“This is an excellent location in an established neighborhood walkable to the elementary school, library and grocery stores,” he said. “I hope to see more residential development in the James Street and Brewer Avenue area on the open lots.”

In describing the village, Rogers often likes to say: “Clemmons is a community that is small enough to know your neighbors, but large enough to find what you need in the village.”