ROANOKE (WSLS 10) - Appalachian Power has officially opened its Oak Grove Public Boating Access Facility that will serve visitors on the company's Smith Mountain Lake. The 10-acre, $1 million public area is centrally-located near Hales Ford Bridge in Franklin County.
The handicap-accessible facility includes a double-sized boat launching ramp, a large fishing pier, more than 60 parking spaces, public restrooms, and "dark skies" lighting. It is available to visitors at no charge
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Oak Grove was dedicated Friday in a short ceremony hosted by Appalachian Power officials and attended by representatives of state agencies, Franklin County, the Smith Mountain Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce, and neighboring residents.
It will be operated by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. Oak Grove is the latest of nine public access facilities created by Appalachian Power on Smith Mountain and Leesville Lakes, both part of the Smith Mountain hydroelectric project.
To access the Oak Grove facility from Route 122, visitors can take Merriman Road (Route 666) to Oldfield Road (Route 978) and follow it to Oak Grove Drive (Route 1230).