Proposed Oklawaha Greenway Extensions
Henderson County has contracted with Equinox, an Asheville landscape design firm with extensive experience in designing trails and parks, to study the feasibility of extending the Oklawaha Greenway. Over the next six months they will look into possible routes and the cost of lengthening the Greenway north to Westfeldt Park and south to both Blue Ridge Community College and the Park at Flat Rock. For examples of their award-winning work see: http://equinoxenvironmental.com/about/honors-awards/
Greenway Boosts Brevard's Economy
Brevard's 4.8 mile greenway supports $1.65 million in annual economic activity, 21 jobs and $600,000 a year in labor income according to a new study by North Carolina State's Institute for Transportation Research and Education. The trail also cut health care costs and transportation expenses, while increasing revenue from sales taxes. For details see: go.ncsu.edu/sharedusepaths.
New County Greenway Master Plan
The Planning Staff of Henderson County, in cooperation with a new Greenway Master Plan Committee, is preparing a Greenway Master Plan. The plan, which is scheduled for release this fall, will look at possible routes for greenways that would connect communities throughout the county.
New Support for Greenways
The County Board of Education, the Board of Health, Kanuga Conference Center, and Aging Projects recently joined other groups in voicing their support for greenways. All 36 letters of support are posted at: http://www.friendsofoklawaha.org/Oklawaha/endorse.php
Engineering Study for Mills River
In a unanimous vote, the Mills River Town Council moved one step closer to a new 2.7-mile multi-use path for pedestrians and bikers in northern Henderson County. If their application for DOT funds to conduct a preliminary engineering study is approved and subsequent funding is available, Mills River could begin construction in 2021 on the path that would run from the junction of 191 and 280 to Broadpoint Industries near Westfeldt Park.
Feasibility Study for Flat Rock
The Town of Flat Rock is selecting a consulting firm to investigate the feasibility of a new greenway from The Park at Flat Rock to the Village Center and the Carl Sandburg Home. The goal is to connect these areas while preserving the historic charm of Flat Rock.
Feasibility Study for Fletcher
The Fletcher Town Council has commissioned a feasibility study to look into the possibility of extending the Cane Creek Greenway to include the Meritor Greenway and then eventually connect to an extended Oklawaha Greenway near the French Board River.
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Ville to Ville Relay April 14th
Come to cheer on 250 runners participating in the first Ville to Ville Craft Brew Relay on April 14th. A total of 1,500 runners will participate in the 73-mile relay, which will go from Asheville to Greenville. Two legs of the 12-leg relay will use the Oklawaha Greenway. Start times will be staggered, so runners are expected to arrive at the Berkeley Mills end of the Greenway between 9:00 am and noon. Batons will be passed to teammates at Southern Appalachian Brewery on Locust Street, and then new runners will continue on the Greenway to Jackson Park.
Greenway Improvement Day April 17th
The Friends of the Oklawaha Greenway and MountainTrue, with support from Highland Lake Inn and Resort, Twin Leaf Brewing and Sierra Nevada Brewing, will remove invasive species from the area near the kiosk on the Greenway. Registration for this event is closed, but if you're on the Greenway, stop by and thank the volunteers!
Volunteers are still needed to help pick up trash along the Greenway on the 17th. Conserving Carolina will lead one group that will meet at the Berkeley Mills parking area and go south. The City of Hendersonville will lead a second group that will meet at the 7th Avenue Parking area and go north. Both groups will meet at 10:00. Bring a water bottle, and a pair of work gloves if you have them.
Greenway Pollinator Planting April 21st
Help the Friends of the Oklawaha Greenway and the Hendersonville Tree Board plant more pollinators along the Greenway. We will meet in the Berkeley Road parking area near Mud Creek at 9:45 and should be finished by noon. Bring a trowel or small shovel if you have one, drinking water and gloves. In the event of heavy rain on the 21st, we will plant on April 28th.
Why Greenways? Presentations April 19th and May 24th
Bring a friend to a “Why Greenways?” presentation. The Friends of the Oklawaha Greenway will provide two updates on proposed greenways in Henderson County. The presentations, which are open to the public, explain the importance of greenways to our economy, health, environment and community.
Thursday, April 19 League of Women Voters
4:00 p.m. at Hendersonville Community Co-op Community Room 60 South Charleston Lane, Hendersonville
Thursday, May 24 Strive Week Celebration
5:30 pm at Sanctuary Brewing
147 First Avenue East, Hendersonville
If you would like to schedule a “Why Greenways?” presentation for your group, please contact: Suzanne@Oklawaha.org
Greenway Benefit Concert on Friday, May 5th at 7:00 pm
Join Friends of the Oklawaha Greenway for an old-fashioned porch concert at Killarney House, one of Hendersonville’s oldest homes. Singer song-writer John Perkins (www.jfp123.com) will share his “poetry of nature and life put to music.” He will be joined by singing partner Kathy Watkins. Lemonade will be provided. Bring other drinks and snacks to share if you wish. Social Hour from 6:30, with music starting at 7:00, at 322 Killarney Street in Hendersonville. (Enter from Patton St.) Suggested minimum donation: $15. (For a tax deductible receipt, make checks payable to MountainTrue with a note in the memo line indicating that the contribution is for Oklawaha Greenway.)
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Meet a Friend of the Greenway
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Suzanne Hale, who chairs the Friends of the Oklawaha Greenway, retired to Hendersonville in 2011 after serving as a Foreign Service Officer with the U.S. Department of Agriculture for over 30 years. During overseas tours in Tokyo and Beijing she biked to work to save time and avoid traffic jams.
Suzanne became interested in Greenways when an abandoned rail line behind her parents’ home in Western New York was converted to a trail. Although there was initial local resistance, the trail became an instant success once it opened. Today the 17-mile NY trail, which is used by bikers, hikers, joggers, and cross-country skiers, is a focal point for the community.
From 2004 to 2007 Suzanne served as the American Ambassador to the Federated States of Micronesia, where her duties included oversight of grants to promote tourism and economic development. She sees new greenways as a great way to attract both new businesses and younger tourists to Henderson County. Suzanne is especially eager to see a greenway tying Blue Ridge Community College to other parts of the county, a link that would help students without cars continue their education.
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