NC’s Department of Natural and Cultural Resources awarded more than $11 million to Great Trails State Coalition projects in WNC, including $600,000 for projects here in Buncombe County.
Of the sum, $500,000 will be awarded to the Town of Woodfin for the expansion of Riverside Park. The expansion will double the size of the park, adding restrooms, an overlook pavilion, and a spectating area for Taylor’s wave, the man-made whitewater attraction coming to the river. Construction began in June 2024 and was delayed due to Helene — the new targeted completion is slated for December 2026.
Additionally, $100,000 was awarded to the Friends and Neighbors of Swannanoa for an update to the Swannanoa Greenway Feasibility Study to design a network of paths resilient to flooding.
Our mountain neighbors in 21 surrounding WNC counties also received funds — see which projects got a cut of the $11 million.
