Buncombe County was recently awarded a grant from the French Broad River Metropolitan Planning Organization to expand greenway systems across the city and county. The grant requires a 20% match. However, neither the County nor the City of Asheville were able to fully fund the match, Connect Buncombe stepped in, offering to provide 1/3 of the required funding if the City and County could each find another third within their budgets to meet the match. Thanks to the efforts of County Commissioners, City Council members and County and City staff the matching funds have been made available and the plan will go forward!
In Asheville work is underway to connect the River Arts District greenway on the east side of the French Broad River with the Woodfin Greenway and Blueway system. Under the grant, the greenway connecting the French Broad River Park greenway and the New Belgium greenway will be completed, as well as the Town Branch Greenway, connecting the historic Southside neighborhood to the City and County greenway systems. Nearby in Enka a greenway will be constructed along Hominy Creek on the former American Enka plant property. The town of Black Mountain also received funding for another mile of the City’s expanding greenway system.
These ambitious projects mark a major step forward in the development of the Buncombe County Greenways and Trails Master Plan and Connect Buncombe could not be more proud to be a part of it all. Want to help us grow greenways even further? Get Involved Today!
