Woodfin Greenway and Blueway
Woodfin Greenway and Blueway
The overall goal of the Woodfin Greenway and Blueway project is to provide pedestrian linkages between public recreation opportunities, schools, industries, and businesses along the French Broad River and Beaverdam Creek while preserving and celebrating the natural environment. Eventually, the project would interlock with many other riverfront projects in the larger green way corridor in Buncombe County. Specific activity centers that will be connected include: Silverline Park, Woodfin River Park, Craggy Mountain Rail Line, French Broad River Academy (boys and girls), Woodfin Elementary, Silverline Plastics, Mill at Woodfin, Zillicoah, and Riverside Rhapsody.
Tropical Storm Helene not only shifted priorities for Buncombe County Parks & Recreation staff, but it also had a direct impact on the Woodfin Greenway and Blueway project. Both the NC 251 and Beaverdam Creek sections of the greenway lost land mass along their projected alignments, which requires new scopes of work to be approved in order to proceed.
The greenway would follow NC 251/Riverside Drive from Broadway Street to Elk Mountain Road. The NC 251 section is moving forward with a new scope of work, which has been approved by the NCDOT. Since some of the areas were washed away during Tropical Storm Helene, work needs to be done to follow the alignment and assess what is feasible. We aim to begin construction in two years. For more details, click on the timeline tab.
We are working to get the Beaverdam Creek section's new scope of work approved by the NCDOT, and work cannot proceed until we receive that approval. A timeline will be shared once the scope of work is approved.
In addition to park expansions, walking trails, and recreation areas, the Woodfin project also includes the Whitewater Wave. This constructed river feature will attract recreational and freestyle kayakers. The Wave's construction design also allows for river-goers, including wildlife, to pass around the feature safely.
Although the storm altered the project and its timeline, Buncombe County will continue to work with neighboring properties, community organizations, and the general public to create a greenway that reflects the community’s needs and desires.
