Greenways

Recent News

Wilma Dykeman Greenway skaters and bicyclists
Skaters and bicyclists enjoy an afternoon on the Wilma Dykeman Greenway, where they are often joined by families with children.

The River Arts District Transportation Improvement Plan (RADTIP) is finished.  The greenway in this section of the River Arts District is called the Wilma Dykeman Greenway. It is named after Asheville area native and author Wilma Dykeman

For questions about the history of the City’s riverfront investments contact Stephanie Dahl, Strategic Design and Development Manager, Planning and Urban Design.

 

 

 

 


Close the GAP Planning Process  logo for Close the GAP planning process

In October 2022, City Council adopted the GAP Plan which was produced through the Close the GAP Planning Process. This plan provides updates to the City’s Greenway Master Plan (G), ADA Transition Plan (A)*, and Pedestrian Master Plan (P) in one comprehensive document.

These plans were combined because Asheville’s overall pedestrian network will be stronger if the three aspects – greenways, ADA accessibility, and pedestrian networks are considered and planned at the same time. The GAP Plan identifies greenway, accessibility, and pedestrian networks for our community as well as programs and policies to support the expansion of these networks.

For information, go to the Close the GAP Page.

 


Explore our interactive Greenways Map!

Responsive image


Do you have a concern with a greenway?

Use The Asheville App to report a problem with our streets, sidewalks, bike facilities, and greenways.

The Asheville App

 


Greenways Master PlanGlenn's Creek Greenway

Asheville’s varied topography and natural features affords a variety of experiences for the greenway users. Presently, most greenways are situated along stream, creek, and river corridors although mountain side and forested corridors will eventually be added to the mix. Many of Asheville’s existing greenways are located within individual parks where they compliment other recreational amenities. All greenway are designed to be handicap accessible.

The Asheville Parks, Recreation, Cultural Arts and Greenways Master Plan was approved in 2009 and includes a map of recommended greenways. The current Master Plan classifies greenways as “High” and “Medium” priority depending on the scale of connectivity they provide, land availability, availability of funds and construction feasibility.

2013 Greenway Master Plan Updates with Map

 


River to Ridge Greenway and Trail Network

The River to Ridge Greenway and Trail Network will be a connection of continuous greenways that encircle the downtown area with the River Arts District and French Broad River greenways, the South Slope Greenway Connector, Beaucatcher Greenway and the Urban Trail. This greenway network will provide a unique experience for any local or tourist that will allow access to two of Asheville’s most special natural assets: the French Broad River and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Once completed, the network will have 10.25 miles of connected greenways and trails.

The River to Ridge Network will encompass the existing segments of the French Broad River Greenway that is currently 2.83 miles in length connecting the French Broad River Park to the Hominy Creek River Park via Amboy Park, Carrier Park, and RiverLink’s Karen Cragnolin Park. The River to Ridge Greenway Network also includes a half-mile-long section of the greenway that is behind the New Belgium Brewing Company.

The remaining greenways and greenway connector projects are shovel-ready and pending construction or waiting on funding.

 


 

Greenway Projects in Progress (Build Phase)

Project

Status

Map

The RADTIP

This is a transformational project that enhances the River Arts District with a safer road, flood mitigation measures, sidewalks, separated
bike lanes, public art and new gardens.

It also includes the new 2.2-mile long section of the Wilma Dykeman Greenway.  The section begins at Hill St. and Riverside Drive and terminates at the Amboy Road Bridge. 

Completed June 2021 RADTIP map

The French Broad River West Bank corridor

This is a shovel-ready project that will close the gap between the half-mile section of the greenway on New Belgium’s property at Craven Street and the French Broad River Park (near the dog park area). Once completed this project will be just over 1 mile long.

This greenway will feature information on the
indigenous edible plants in the area and have
volunteer-led edible gardens. This greenway
has the nickname “The Edible Mile.”

This area is closed for construction preparations.
Construction will begin Spring 2021.

Pending construction – timeline mid-June 2021.  Expected completion – June 2022. french broad river greenway map

The Nasty Branch Greenway (formerly called Town Branch) 

This project is a ¾-mile-long greenway that starts at the Grant Southside Center on Depot Street and Livingston Street and terminates at Phifer Street near the McDowell and Southside intersection. This greenway lies on flat terrain along the banks of the creek called Town
Branch. This is an important East/West connection in the greenway network. This greenway will feature a series of interpretive signs about the devastating impact of the razing of the Southside Community, a historically African-American community, due to urban renewal. The City of Asheville is currently working on the signage and is seeking first-hand information from the Southside residents to
finalize the story on the signs.
Construction will begin in 2023.

In the fall of 2020, the City of Asheville officially changed the name of this greenway from the Town Branch Greenway to the Nasty Branch Greenway to honor the microlocal name the Southside neighborhood calls the creek. The greenway will feature interpretive signs that tell the history of the Southside neighborhood before Urban Renewal raised most of the area. These signs will give more detail to the significance of the name Nasty Branch. 

Pending Construction – timeline TBD town branch greenway map

 


 

Greenways Currently Being Designed and Planned

Project

Status

Map

Greenway Connectors are on-road projects designed to direct greenway visitors from one greenway trailhead to another, safely and easily. Two greenway connectors are currently being designed.

  • The Depot Street Greenway Connector will connect the western end of Town Branch Greenway with the Bacoate Branch and French Broad River East Bank Greenway (the “RADTIP greenway”)
  • The South Slope Greenway Connector will connect the eastern end of Town Branch Greenway to Beaucatcher Greenway. The combined length of these connectors is approximately 1.1 miles. This project is also a wayfinding project
Under Design
Swannanoa River Greenway Phases
One and Two

  • The City is designing a one-mile section of the Swannanoa River Greenway corridor.  This section begins at the eastern end of Thompson Street at Glendale Rd. It will follow the river behind businesses along the Swannanoa River.  It will terminate at the intersection of Bleachery Road and Swannanoa River Road.  
  • Construction is expected to begin in the Spring of 2024. 
Under Design

Beaucatcher Greenway 

This greenway is a 1.25-mile-long greenway designed to connect Memorial Stadium to the historic (and reputably haunted) Helen’s Bridge. This greenway will also have a spur trail to connect a future park, the White Fawn Overlook Park on the top of Beaucatcher Mountain off of Reservoir Road. Currently, the City is contemplating building the entire greenway to the finalized plans or modifying the construction to be able to build access sections at either end that enhance public access and safety and can be built with existing funds.

Shovel Ready but Pending Funding beaucatcher greenway map

Reed Creek Greenway Extension

An existing portion of the Reed Creek Greenway spans about 0.86 miles from the intersection of Broadway St and WT Weaver Blvd to Elizabeth St. A Feasibility Study is underway to determine the best alignments for extending the greenway to the north and the south. The northern section will be extended to the intersection of Broadway St and Riverside Dr, and the southern section will terminate at the I-26 pedestrian bridge on Hill St near Isaac Dickson Elementary. Following the feasibility study, design, engineering and right-of-way acquisition will need to occur before construction.  

Feasibility Study

 


Contact Information

Lucy Crown, Transportation Planning Manager
Transportation Department
70 Court Plaza, Asheville NC 28801
828-259-5805

 

X