About Us
Supporting the Growth of Buncombe Greenways
Connect Buncombe is an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization supporting the growth of greenways in Buncombe County. Through advocacy, awareness campaigns, volunteer events, strategic partnerships, and direct funding, Connect Buncombe works to ensure Buncombe County meets its greenway-related goals as outlined in the county’s Comprehensive Plan.
We Believe
- Greenways promote outdoor recreation for families & individuals at all ability levels, all economic levels & all age levels
- Greenways promote healthy lifestyles & help reduce obesity through exercise
- Greenways are places to explore and connect with nature leading to increased environmental awareness and they provide natural buffer zones that protect creeks and rivers
- Greenways are accessible to everyone in the community and facilitate social interaction
- Greenways provide alternative transportation infrastructure
- Existing greenways encourage economic development for businesses looking for an area with excellent quality of life
We Work By
- Educating about the benefits of greenways
- Advocating for greenways with elected officials, DOT officials and other non-profits
- Raising money for planning and/or construction projects, which are included in the Master Plan
Connect Buncombe Key Accomplishments & Funded Grants
To the City of Asheville: $20,000 matching funding for North RADTIP; $7,000 for “Close the GAP”; $15,000 for the Swannanoa Greenway Study
To Buncombe County, Buncombe County Recreation Services: $20,000 for Rt. 191 / Bent Creek I-26 Corridor Study Plan to relieve $100,000 in federal and state matching funds. READ MORE
To Black Mountain: $2,000 for greenway development
To Woodfin: $1,000 to secure a bond, $5,000 for “Catch the Wave”
To AVL Unpaved: $8,400 toward the design and maps for phase 1 of natural surface trails in Asheville
To Asheville on Bikes: $5,000 toward the design of downtown Asheville bike lanes
Other Grants to “Hominy Valley Safe Routes to Schools”; Connect Enka; Reems Creek; Friends of Hominy Creek
Organized Greenway Partners, comprised of greenway and biking support organizations. Among other activities, this group sponsored a County Commissioner candidate forum in 2018
Made “Why Greenways” presentations to interested organizations and participated in numerous community events to educate and engage the public about greenways in Buncombe County
A Letter from the President
Dear Fellow Greenway Enthusiasts,
I couldn’t be more excited to lead Connect Buncombe in 2023. Though I’ve only been involved with the organization for a few years, I’ve been consistently impressed by its dedication to making Buncombe County an even better place to live.
The benefits of greenways are hard to top: They help improve mental and physical health. They promote alternative modes of transit. They encourage a positive relationship with the environment and new connections with the neighborhoods they pass through. And they are truly democratic spaces, open to all, completely free of charge, every day of the year. (Speaking as the father of an active four-year-old and soon to be active one-year-old, they also offer an unbeatable way to kill a few hours in the morning!)
It’s a great time for local greenways. Thanks to the overwhelming passage of the Open Space Bonds last November, Buncombe County’s greenway system is set to expand dramatically within the next few years. In the meantime, the City of Asheville has been busy building out its extremely popular River Arts District greenways, with additional connections, such as the Karen Cragnolin Park Greenway, to come online this year and beyond. On top of all this, 2023 has been designated the Year of Trail by the NC Legislature, freeing up even more resources for local and regional greenways and trails.
Momentum toward fulfilling the county’s Greenway Master Plan—connectivity many years in the making—is clearly building. To ensure we continue to forge connections, though, we need your assistance. To that end, please consider joining us in our mission to help connect Buncombe County, from North to South and East to West.
See you on the Greenway,
Adam Rosen
President, Connect Buncombe
Give Today
Thank you for your support. Connect Buncombe is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) organization, and your tax-deductable donation will be used to help make greenways happen in Buncombe County. Become a Member of Connect Buncombe by donating $35 or more which then gives you voting rights at our Annual Meeting.
Click on the button below to make an online donation. If you prefer, checks can be made to "Connect Buncombe" and mailed to Connect Buncombe, P.O. Box 16100, Asheville, NC 28816.
