Todd Island Community Park

Footbridge spans one channel of the South Fork of the New River leading to the Island Park.

Todd Island Park is a unique 5-acre island in the middle of the South Fork of the New River, about 3 miles downstream from the “downtown” Rural Historic District. It was purchased from Earnest Seats  in 1998 with the help of a community fundraising campaign, 100 for $100, in which 100 members of the community each contributed $100 toward the purchase. In 2001, a bridge was built over the north channel of the river  to provide access from the parking lot.

The park is open from dawn until dusk and features a walking trail, nearly a mile long, around the perimeter of the island. From the trail, you can view the wildlife on the island and in the river, as well as native plantings and trees. The trail also provides access to the south channel for fishing.

In 2002, the National Committee for the New River and the Clean Water Management Trust secured a conservation easement on the entire park. Soon after, NCNR conducted a demonstration streambank-restoration project at the park, stabilizing parts of the bank with submerged tree trunks and planting shrubs to hold the soil against the force of the river. In 2004, flooding from hurricanes swept away the park’s informational kiosk (subsequently replaced)  along with all the gravel on the parking lot.

In 2006, ASU students installed several bluebird boxes on the island as part of a study conducted by Prof. Lynn Sieferman. They house some bluebirds, but also tree swallows and house wrens, along with chipmunks and other small animals.

Directions: From the Todd General Store, travel east on Railroad Grade Road about three miles and turn right onto CastleFord Road. The parking lot for the Island Park is immediately on the right before the low-water bridge. Map available here.

Walter & Anne Cook Memorial Park

The Walter and Anne Cook Park is located in the heart of Todd. It is named for Walter Greenville Cook and his wife, Anne Cook. Walter and his brother Monroe built the General Store. Walter and Anne operated the store from the 1920s until they sold it to Kenny and Rena Goodman in the 1950s. The Goodmans operated Goodman’s Grocery until the 1970s when they sold it to Bob Peete. Walter Cook also was one of Todd’s mayors. He was appointed to the position in 1931. At Cook Park, which is located directly in front of the General Store, you’ll find the James “Crow” Parsons stage which is the location of the Summer Music Series. The Park is also home to the Todd New River Festival, now in its 15th year, and the Liberty Parade celebration on the Fourth of July.

Cook Park is available for weddings and other functions, so long as reservations do not interfere with previously scheduled Todd community events in the park. Reservations require a $100 fee and a $100 refundable deposit. For more information about reserving the park or park reservation forms, please call 336-877-5565 or email info@toddnc.org.