LEESBURG — As long as it has been sitting there, you would think someone would have come up with an idea like this by now.

For whatever reason, though, apparently very few in Cherokee County have ever given much thought to full development of the potential gold mine that is a massive, magnificent pile of rocks on the southeastern ridge of Lookout Mountain above Leesburg.

Or if they did, no one has ever come closer to seeing such a grand vision for Cherokee Rock Village transformed into reality as the current members of the Cherokee County Parks and Recreation (P & R) Board.

Appointed by the County Commission, the Board is responsible for overseeing several county parks. For decades, the Board has been largely content to cut grass, repair picnic tables, and erect fences to keep out the riff-raff.

Over the past few months, however, several newly appointed Board members have urged their peers to see county's natural resources in a new light.

The initial aspect of the park's expansion, which is still in the planning stages, calls for an entrance gate to allow for regulated access to the park. Other aspects of “Phase I” would provide fully-functioning restroom facilities – an amenity that the area currently lacks – as well as camping areas, picnic spots, walking trails, and electricity.

Board members realize it may be some time before the park, commonly known locally as “Little Rock City” (in deference to the fully mature tourist attraction sitting atop the other end of the mountain) shakes its current status as a minor local stop and becomes a viable, self-sustaining nationwide tourist draw.

Before that can happen, though, they'll have to get their hands on something no other P&R Board has ever had very much of – money.

“I don't think any of us can give a date-certain for start of construction on Phase I,” said Board member Gary Banister as he looked over an architect's rendering of the planned improvements. “That will be determined solely by the willingness of the County Commission to fund us.”

Banister said completion of Phase I will cost “around $2 million.” He said he is hopeful the County Commission will go after economic stimulus bonds that could net the county up to $1.88 million for projects designed to rejuvenate the local economy.

County Administrator Tim Burgess said he expects the county to seek its share of the federal bond money. But he added that he anticipates that the Commission will want to fund several additional projects in addition to Phase I, if it gets the money.

County Commissioner Kimball Parker said it is impossible to speculate, assuming that the money even becomes available, exactly how much of the $1.88 million might go towards improvements atop the mountain.

“We have put the project on the list, along with a few other things, that we would like to accomplish,” Parker said. “We're also looking into doing something to clean up sewage around the lake, pave some roads, and make repairs to the Administrative Building.”

But Parker was quick to add that he likes what he sees from the P&R Board.

“We've got a proactive Board that is going out and trying to get some good plans for that property that will bring in some income for the county,” Parker said. “I think Little Rock City is one of the best resources this county has, outside of Weiss Lake. It's a beautiful place up there.”

Scooter Howell, who chairs the P&R Board, said one of the most important aspects of the plan, as he sees it, is the increased level of security and safety that Phase I can offer.

“We will have an entrance gate, or some other way to secure who is coming in to the park, and a fee system,” Howell said. “We don't have that now.”

Board member Virgil Adcock said he thinks the untapped resources at Cherokee Rock Village can become a huge economic engine for the county, assuming that the will exists to see the Board's plan through to the end.

“There was an article in the Birmingham News about Tannehill State Park and it that said they are generating $1.8 million a year,” he said. “They've got a museum there, they've got campgrounds, they've got a little train that runs through the park – and that's all they've got. We've got the prettiest view in Alabama.”

Adcock said completion of Phase I could enhance the county's other resources, as well.

“It's going to make the lake better, because people can bring their RVs up there and park,” Adcock said. “The two will compliment each other.”

Board member Henry Wright said he believes the recent overhaul in membership of the P&R Board is already showing dividends.

“There was a time when one man called all the shots and there was no getting around him,” Wright said. “Everybody that we have now works together better than any other Board we've had since I've been on it. And I've been on it quite a while.”

Banister said there are other plans in the works for Cherokee Rock Village, including a “Phase II” that will add a visitor's center, man-made lake, rental cabins, and a wooden boardwalk around the brow of the mountain. Also, he said ongoing negotiations involving a “long-term lease” could double the size of the park.

“If we can just get started, just get Phase I up and rolling,” said Board member Linda Prater, her voice trailing away.