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2019 City of Asheville initiatives: What to look for in the new year

With a new year comes new programs, facility improvements and projects to improve our community. Here’s a look ahead at Asheville City government initiatives in 2019.     Red Pandas exhibit to open Two cute red pandas will take up residence at the WNC Nature Center this year. The new red panda exhibit will open to the public on [...]

2023 NC Year of the Trail August Events

The City of Asheville’s River Arts District will be the backdrop of two greenway events in August.  The City of Asheville is proud to work with community partners, RiverLink, Land of Sky Regional Council and Connect Buncombe as they celebrate greenways for our community.  To celebrate our partners’ events, we will declare them to be [...]

Asheville greenways update: Spring 2020 construction is coming!

  Funding now in place for Asheville greenway projects will pave the way for spring 2020 construction. These shovel-ready projects are funded in part by state and federal transportation money administered through the French Broad River Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). They include:   French Broad River West: This 1-mile greenway will fill a greenway gap [...]

Asheville’s Greenway Warmer was a hot event

The evening of Dec. 13 was bitter cold.  But that did not discourage people from attending Asheville’s Greenway Warmer. More than 120 people showed up to celebrate Asheville’s Greenway program achievements of 2017 and hear about 2018 greenway initiatives. You can see a 360 degree view of the meeting in Google Streets here. Carol [...]

Celebrate Year of the Trail on Take a Walk Outdoors Day, January 20

Are you ready for the Year of the Trail, a celebration of North Carolina’s vast and diverse collection trails encouraging all of us to recognize our role as champions of these special resources? With events throughout 2023 in all 100 counties, the initiative is strengthened by communities like Asheville joining the effort [...]

City accepts donation for greenway feasibility study

On Feb. 23, the City of Asheville accepted funds from two nonprofits that have raised a combined $37,000 to be used to conduct a feasibility study for the first segment of the Swannanoa River Greenway Corridor, otherwise known as the East Asheville Greenway. The Asheville Parks and Greenways Foundation raised $22,000 from 5K races. The Friends [...]

Photo of woods where a nature preserve will be placed

City of Asheville and MountainTrue partner to create a trail system in the Falconhurst neighborhood

  The City of Asheville has partnered with MountainTrue to assist the Falconhurst neighborhood in building natural surface trails within the Falconhurst Nature Preserve.    The Falconhurst Nature Preserve is a 7.9 acre parcel of land adjacent to Tanglewood Drive that was deeded to the City of Asheville in 2012 as a conservation easement from the Conservation Trust [...]

City of Asheville announces Biltmore Avenue Striping Plan

City of Asheville will take a phased approach to the addition of bike lanes on Biltmore Ave.   Addressing the public at City Council on August 23, City Manager Debra Campbell took time to clarify the delay to the plan and steps forward for the Biltmore restriping project, but also reiterated the City’s commitment [...]

City of Asheville announces projects funded by BCTDA Tourism Product Development Fund

The City of Asheville is pleased to announce projects that have received funding from the BCTDA Tourism Product Development Fund. Funding was announced at the Tourism Development Authority Board meeting on October 26. All four of the city’s applications received funding, with the top three priorities receiving funding at 100% of the requested amount. [...]

Wilma Dykeman Greenway skaters and bicyclists

City of Asheville invites community to celebrate completion of River Arts District Transportation Improvement Project

    Spring is here and the City of Asheville’s largest piece of riverfront construction — the River Arts District Transportation Improvement Project (RADTIP) — is just about complete. It’s time to celebrate the past 10+ years of work that our community’s artists, businesses, nonprofit organizations and public institutions have done to transform this section of the [...]

City of Asheville joins with community partners to celebrate Earth Week April 21-23

The City of Asheville is joining with community partners for a weekend full of Earth Day events and family-friendly activities. The City of Asheville, Brother Wolf Animal Rescue, Equinox, GreenWorks, New Belgium Brewing, Organic Grower’s School, Mountain True and RiverLink are hosting Asheville Earth Week on April 21, 22, and 23. With multiple events at different [...]

GAP plan art

City of Asheville opens two surveys for Greenway, ADA Transition and Pedestrian Plans 

  The City of Asheville is in the early stages of a large project to update the City’s Greenway Plan (G), ADA Transition Plan* (A), and Pedestrian Plan (P) (*By ADA transition we are specifically looking at accessibility improvements within the rights-of-way of our street network).   The planning process, known as the “Close the GAP,” will identify [...]

City of Asheville planners help host state conference with bike, riverfront and walking tours

At left is Riverfront Office Director Stephanie Monson Dahl. On the right is Asheville Greenways Coordinator Lucy Crown. Both will lead tours during the N.C. Planning Conference in Asheville this week.   When the N.C. Planning Conference comes to Asheville this week, City of Asheville Planning staff will be embedded in the conference, hosting events and [...]

City of Asheville to receive $17.7 million in MPO funding for greenways, electric buses and more

  The following is a press release from the French Broad River Metropolitan Planning Organization (FBRMPO):   Regional Planning Organization awards $25 million for Asheville area active transportation and transit projects   The French Broad River Metropolitan Planning Organization (FBRMPO) recently authorized more than $25 million of funding for transportation projects in the French Broad River MPO region. The MPO selected projects that included sidewalk, [...]

City of Asheville, Green Opportunities to hold greenway temporary trail completion celebration

Asheville Public Works crew provided support to help the Green Opportunities landscaping students build the temporary trail.   Members of the Green Opportunities training program will join the City of Asheville for a 1 p.m. April 27 ribbon cutting and celebration of a recently constructed temporary trail on the future Town Branch Greenway, behind the Grant Southside Center, [...]

Community invited to unveiling of River Arts District sculpture and greenway section

Trash Trout, provided by Asheville GreenWorks   The City of Asheville invites the community to celebrate the unveiling of new public art installations at 3 p.m. Nov. 30. The event will start at Jean Webb Park at 30 Riverside Drive, and end at the Craven Street Boat Launch at 190 Riverside Drive. The purpose is to highlight the [...]

Reed Creek greenway photo

Construction on the Reed Creek Greenway continues

    The Reed Creek Greenway is divided into two separate construction projects, one complete and the other in progress.   The section of the greenway from Elizabeth Street to the Chestnut Street bridge was built by Sweetgrass Broadway LLC during the construction of their brand new 5 Points, a multi-use development at 242 Broadway Ave.   The developer partnered with [...]

Elsie's Bridge Greenway rendering

Elsie’s Bridge Greenway Connector under construction, to be repurposed as community garden 

  The City of Asheville started the construction of another neighborhood greenway connector project the week of May 25.  Elsie’s Bridge is a bridge spanning the Town Branch Greenway that was part of “Elsie’s Alley.” It is located in the Southside neighborhood between the Glenrock Apartments and Mr Green’s Mini Mart on Depot Street. The bridge [...]

two stuffed animal raccoons on bridge railing

Fall for Asheville Parks & Recreation – and receive a gift!

Out-of-towners like to speculate when fall foliage will peak in Asheville to plan a visit. For locals, the beauty of living in the Blue Ridge Mountains means the chance to enjoy a regional show of bright yellow, burnt orange, and vibrant purple hues that can last six to eight weeks. That span is shorter in [...]

French Broad River Greenway West now open, with mistletoe

It is official: French Broad River Greenway West from Craven Street to Haywood Road is now open to the public! Construction is nearly complete and the greenway is ready to use and enjoy — and you may even find yourself under the mistletoe during your next visit.   Please take photos of you and your family and friends [...]

Greenway photo illustration

French Broad River West Greenway construction gets under way

    Construction for the French Broad River West Greenway is under way! This greenway will extend from the southern end of the French Broad River Park near the dog park to the existing greenway under the Haywood Road bridge.  Current activities include surveying, soil and sedimentation protection and preliminary grading. Part of the preliminary grading work includes [...]

entrance to Reed Creek greenway

Get outdoors in April with Asheville Parks & Recreation

Thanks to comfortable temperatures and ample options for outdoor adventures, U.S. News & World Report recently named Asheville one of the top destinations in the world to visit in spring. Coming as no surprise to those who live here, April is a great time to explore the city. The outdoor experts at [...]

Green Opportunities teams with City of Asheville for greenway trail project

  With funding lagging for some of Asheville’s shovel-ready greenway projects, a local organization has stepped in to help get one in the road, so to speak.   In April, students from the Green Opportunities Landscaping and Maintenance program will work in partnership with the City of Asheville to build a temporary trail on a portion of [...]

Greenway photo illustration

Greenway construction to connect 2 existing greenways through 4 parks

  Construction to extend the French Broad River Greenway West this spring will connect it to French Broad River Park, creating a 4-mile stretch of continuous riverside greenway through four parks in Asheville.  During their March 9 meeting, Asheville City Council approved funding for the French Broad River Greenway West Bank Construction Project. Federal funds administered through [...]

Greenway Warmer celebration will explore how unpaved trails can benefit community

West Asheville’s Hominy Creek Greenway serves as an example of a “natural surface”  — or unpaved trail — greenway.   Greenways, it turns out, can come in many forms. While you may think of them as paved trails, a Dec. 13 event in downtown Asheville will explore how “natural surface trail systems” — or unpaved trails — can work. Come [...]

Look ahead 2020 photo illustration

Look ahead: City of Asheville projects and initiatives for the new year

  Asheville residents can look upon the new year with optimism. Together, we’ve weathered a pandemic and a vaccine will be available this year. Even so, the City of Asheville’s response to COVID-19 will continue in the new year, in coordination with the state of North Carolina and Buncombe County.   Residents can look forward to advances in [...]

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Mistletoe returns to French Broad River Greenway West

Mr. & Mrs. Damien Madden share a kiss under the mistletoe on the bridge on the French Broad River Greenway West. Enjoy a winter walk and get in a little holiday smooch! The mistletoe will be up through the middle of January.     The French Broad River Greenway West (from Craven Street to Haywood Road) is a great place for a [...]

Pergola going in at trailhead for Asheville’s French Broad River West Greenway

  If you travel through the intersection of Craven Street and Hazel Mill Road, you may have noticed that crews have begun installing the pergola at the trailhead on the Craven Street Project. The next step will be installing sign and roof panels.   This is part of the French Broad River Greenway, which is expected to open in [...]

14 Riverside Drive

RADTIP phased to get projects in the road

RADTIP improvements will widen Riverside Drive, adding bike lanes and sidewalks to make it safer for all modes of transportation.     After years of careful planning, an exciting phase is about to begin in Asheville’s River Arts District Transportation Improvement Project, known as RADTIP. And that is the construction phase. After more than two years of [...]

Reed Creek Greenway service day happens in partnership with Blue Ridge Arborist Association

The City of Asheville and the Blue Ridge Arborist Association have been working steadily for some time to be able to partner on much needed tree maintenance projects on City of Asheville property.  On October 22, the partnership kicked off with a service day on Reed Creek Greenway. The Blue Ridge Arborist Association is composed of trained [...]

Residents invited to virtual meetings on Asheville greenway and pedestrian master plans this week; survey to open too

    The City of Asheville’s Transportation Department is working on updates to the Greenway and Pedestrian Master Plans plus creating an ADA Plan for Public Rights of Way (i.e. streets and sidewalks).  The planning process is at an intermediate point in the process.  The initial assessments and public input is complete and a draft plan is [...]

Riverfront redevelopment update: Riverside Drive reopens, greenway section to open this year too

The latest riverfront development: Completion of the northern half of the French Broad River Greenway East is expected in late fall. Scroll below for a map rendering of the River Arts District Transportation Improvement Project.   Last August, shovels turned dirt in a community kickoff for RADTIP, the City of Asheville’s most recent riverfront improvement project. This August, [...]

TDA approves funding for greenways, soccer fields and WNC Nature Center enhancement

On Oct. 28, the Tourism Product Development Fund Committee voted to approve funding for a City of Asheville greenway project, and money that will benefit two City-owned facilities. The grants include: City of Asheville – River to Ridge Destination Development: $2.2 million requested; $1.7 million recommended to fund Beaucatcher Greenway, French Broad River Greenway, and Amboy [...]

reed creek greenway entrance with sign

The City of Asheville seeks community input on the Reed Creek Greenway Feasibility Study

The City of Asheville seeks community input on potential routes for the Reed Creek Greenway Feasibility Study. The study evaluates routes along roadways and off-road corridors and to determine the preferred route. The study will also develop cost estimates and an implementation plan to construct the greenway.  Your feedback is incredibly valuable and will provide [...]

What's Up AVL

Who’s up this week on What’s up AVL! – Transportation staff members Lucy Crown and Anna Sexton

The City of Asheville’s bi-monthly radio show allows the community to take a deep dive with City of Asheville staff and departments. Learn about different departments and what projects are taking place in your community. This week, the City of Asheville host Sam Parada sat down with City of Asheville Transportation Planning Manager Lucy Crown and Urban [...]

GAP plan art

Your input needed to “Close the GAP”

  The City of Asheville is launching a survey for its final round of public engagement in the Close the Gap planning process.     This is the final survey for the Close the GAP project, and the public’s input is needed on proposed project recommendations developed as part of the GAP Plan. The GAP Plan identifies a network [...]

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