Reed Creek Greenway
Located along Reed Creek and Broadway Ave. in the Montford neighborhood near downtown Asheville, Reed Creek Greenway will be a one-mile stretch of trail connecting the existing Glenn's Creek Greenway near UNC Asheville to downtown. A campaign to raise nearly $1.5 million for greenway construction is in progress. To make a donation, contact 259-5800.
Get directions to Reed Creek Greenway Glenn's Creek Greenway
Glenn's Creek Greenway along W.T. Weaver Blvd. will extend across Merrimon Ave. and through Weaver Park to connect to the neighborhoods along the future Kimberly Greenway in north Asheville. Greenway construction is supported by a Recreation Trails Program grant from the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Get directions to Glenn's Creek Greenway French Broad River Greenway
Plans for the next expansion of the French Broad River Greenway will begin at Carrier Park on Amboy Rd. and move west to Hominy Creek Park. Over one- mile of trail will hug the north bank of the French Broad as it makes its way through natural areas along the river. The Hominy Creek segment is funded by the North Carolina Department of Transportation. Get directions to the French Broad River Greenway 
Swannanoa River Greenway / Azalea Park
Plans for the first leg of the Swannanoa River Greenway is underway to start at Azalea Park to follow the Swannanoa River through Recreation Park, then onto Ann Joyce Patton Park on Swannanoa River Rd. This portion of the greenway is funded by the North Carolina Department of Transportation. River Bend
This half-mile trail on the south bank of the Swannanoa River and adjacent to the new River Bend Market Place will be complete in 2005. This section of greenway is funded by Wal-Mart.
Completed Greenways | Greenways Under Development | Amboy Road Park Carrier Park French Broad River Park Glenn’s Creek (UNCA) Reed Creek Phase I River Bend | Amboy Road-Hominy Creek Connector Reed Creek Phase 2 FBR Corridor Connector |
Asheland Avenue/Erskine Street-Southern Segment
The southern section begins at the west end of the proposed Choctaw Street Greenway, near the intersection of Livingston Street and South French Broad Avenue and travels east following Livingston Street on-road. Near the Reid Center, the greenway heads south towards the A-B Tech Campus. The connecting alignment between Livingston Street and the A-B Tech campus has not been decided. There are four potential on road and off road alignments, most of which include cutting through the Erskin Street public housing property, making the connection to the campus. Further investigation is needed to determine the most reasonable option. This section connects to Livingston Street Park, the Reid Center, public housing, A-B Tech and will potentially link to Asheville High School and Mission Hospital.
Asheland Avenue/Erskine Street-Northern Segment
The northern section of Ashland Avenue Greenway begins at the east end of the proposed Town Branch Greenway at Choctaw Street Park, follows Town Branch off-road for a short distance, crosses Choctaw Street and runs off-road along old Ashland Avenue through the City right-of-way, continues alongside the Hart Funeral home and proceeds across Ashland Avenue, and continues north off-road between commercial parcels on Federal Alley (an existing narrow road right-of-way), and ends at the Transit Center. There is connection potential to the Transit Center, post office, commercial areas, and Town Branch Greenway. This greenway corridor is in close proximity to the Ashland Avenue (on-road) corridor and has the same service area. Terrain and access through commercial parcels such as Asheville Art and Sign, the Brewing Company, and Wachovia Bank may be challenging.
Beaucatcher Mountain Greenway
This corridor will have commanding views of downtown Asheville and connects Beaucatcher Park and White Fawn Reservoir. A site visit can be performed in the future to evaluate development suitability's and constraints.
Beaverdam Creek Greenway
This section begins near the east side of Beaver Lake at the intersection of Dover Street and Merrimon Avenue, heads east approximately 1500 feet, and connects with Beaverdam Road. This short section may be challenging to develop due to the close proximity of the Asheville Country Club. There is a steep grade with limited site distance at the intersection of Beaverdam Road and Dover Street that makes it difficult for bikers to make a left turn in traffic. The Asheville Bicycle Plan proposes improvements to the area on Merrimon Avenue, Beaverdam Road, and Kimberly Avenue.
Brevard Road Greenway
The northern end of this section begins at I-26 and Brevard Road near the Biltmore Square Mall and travels south ending at the North Carolina Arboretum. The 1998 Greenway Master Plan proposes an on-road greenway by the mall that turns into an off-road greenway near Sardis Road. Land acquisition will be the biggest challenge for this section if it goes off-road. The Asheville Bicycle Plan proposes improvements to Brevard Road serving this area. Connections are planned to commercial, retail, numerous residential areas, the North Carolina Arboretum, and Blue Ridge Parkway.
Clingman Forest Greenway
This northern section begins at Aston Park at Hilliard Avenue and follows an existing sewer line and stream down to Clingman Avenue extension. Portions of the trail have challenging terrain but there appears to be an old roadbed on the lower part of the corridor where the trail could be located. Land acquisition may pose a challenge as well. There are potential connections to Aston Park, Asheville Middle School, YWCA, residential areas, and to the French Broad River Greenway to the Clingman Avenue road section.
French Broad River Greenway-Northeast Segment
This section begins at Jean Webb Park, under the River Link Bridge, follows the French Broad River on the east side adjacent Lyman Street, and ends at Amboy Road. As this area of the city continues to re-develop there is potential for this section to develop into a high profile signature greenway. This greenway should be developed in conjunction with private partners.
French Broad River Greenway-Northwest Segment
This section begins at French Broad River Park on the west side of the French Broad River and is a continuation of the existing greenway network. This section ends at RiverLink Bridge. This section connects with the Haywood Road on-road section, and has commanding views of the river. Through the existing sidewalk system there is potential connectivity to the proposed Clingman Forest Greenway.
Glenns Creek Greenway- Eastern Segment
The short section begins at Weaver Park and ends less than one-tenth of a mile to the east at Kimberly Avenue where an on-road greenway is proposed. The greenway is routed along the creek, in an existing sewer right-of-way, and in close proximity to residences on both east and west sides of Glenns Creek. If negotiations with property owners are not successful there is an existing sidewalk system which can be used to make the connection to Kimberly Avenue.
Haw Creek Greenway
The section begins at the intersection of Beverly Road and New Haw Creek Road and follows Haw Creek north to the Sondley Parkway subdivision. Land acquisition and existing development in a few key areas along the greenway are the biggest obstacles. This section offers connections to numerous residential developments.
Hominy Creek Greenway-Eastern Segment
The section begins at Hominy Creek Park (Buncombe County facility) located on the west bank of the French Broad River and winds west along Hominy Creek below the I-40 West, Brevard Road, and I-240 West overpass. This sections ends at the old Brevard Road bridge and the Waller property, a large track of land under option by the Trust for Public Land. There are potential connections to the Farmers Market, North Carolina National Guard (slated for re-development by the City of Asheville), and Rhododendron Creek Greenway. The majority of land is publicly controlled.
Hominy Creek Greenway-Western Segment
The section is a continuation of the Hominy Creek Greenway-Eastern Segment. The corridor begins near the old Brevard Road bridge, winds west along Hominy Creek, crosses Bear Creek Road, continues to the creek bend at I-40 West and heads west to Sand Hill Road. This section has potential connections to numerous residential areas and existing sidewalk systems. The greenway could follow the alignment of an existing sewer system to minimize disruption of the corridor. This greenway extends access to West Asheville.
Montford Greenway
The eastern section begins at Gudger Street below the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce Visitors Center and Randolph Learning Center and follows an existing sewer line and stream down to Hill Street. The section continues west along Hill Street underneath I-26 and ends at Riverside Drive. Portions of the greenway have challenging terrain. This section offers connections to Isaac Dickson Elementary School, Randolph Learning Center, Chamber of Commerce, public housing, and residential areas.
Reed Creek Greenway-Northern Segment
The east section begins at W.T. Weaver Blvd. beside the Botanical Gardens at Asheville and follows Reed Creek to Riverside Drive. This extension faces a potential issue with obtaining access through the Botanical Gardens at Asheville property and I-26 West. A more practical connection route for Riverside Drive is to terminate the Reed Creek section at W.T. Weaver Blvd. and instead use the existing sidewalk system and proposed bike lane planned for Broadway Street.
Rhododendron Creek Greenway
This southern section begins at Hominy Creek and heads north across Shelburne Road, runs through the former National Guard property (slated for redevelopment by the City) and becomes a shared road with Talmadge Street. At West Asheville Park the greenway goes off-road heading northwest and ending at Sand Hill Road. This section will increase greenway access for a significant amount of residential area, West Asheville Park, and indirectly utilizing the existing sidewalk system to Vance Elementary School. A significant easement, through the Davenport Road development, has already been granted to the City for a portion of this greenway.
Swannanoa River Greenway
The section begins at the confluence with the French Broad River near Biltmore Village, follows the Swannanoa River heading east and ends near Azalea Park. This section has the potential to become a signature greenway similar to the French Broad River Corridor. Land acquisitions and existing development will be a challenge. This greenway is part of the Wilma-Dykeman Riverway Plan, a major transportation plan being spearheaded by RiverLink.
Sweeten Creek Greenway
Located in south Asheville, the northern section begins at I-40, travels south on Sweeten Creek Road and ends at Lee Street. This section is most suitable as an on-road greenway. A narrow creek channel, railroad right-of-way, and numerous commercial and residential development will make an off-road greenway challenging. The Asheville Bicycle Plan proposes improvements to Sweeten Creek Road serving this area. There are connections to residential and retail areas and a retirement community.
Town Branch Creek Greenway
Located on Choctaw Street 500 feet south from the intersection with McDowell Street, the northern end of this section heads west along Town Branch and ends near the northern tip of Livingston Street Park. The entire corridor falls within City-owned land. This section provides connections to the A.B. Tech Greenway or Ashland Avenue bike lane (future), Choctaw Park, Livingston Street Park, Reid Center, transit system, and public housing areas.
Asheville Greenway Commission
The Asheville Greenway Commission is made up of community volunteers charged with the mission to advise the City of Asheville in developing a comprehensive system of greenways. The Greenway Commission meets the second Thursday of each month at 3:30 p.m., in the 1st floor conference room of City Hall. For more information call 259-5800.
To obtain the entire Asheville Greenways Master Plan mail your request and $5.00 to:
Asheville Greenways Master Plan
Asheville Parks & Recreation
PO Box 7148
Asheville, North Carolina, 28802 |