In response to RTAC Chair Chris Burns’ call for public comment, Clifford Meek, who is affiliated with the model train group French Broad River “Npire,” recommended that some sort of barrier to cars be included in plans for the trail. He has noticed several times over the past 6 months that cars have been parked on the section near Spring Street, and cautioned that once the trail opens, trail users will likely park on adjacent streets that are already narrow. Henderson County Business and Community Development Director Chris Todd and Hendersonville City Manager John Connet responded that they will get together with law enforcement to address potential issues.

RTAC member-at-large Ken Shelton inquired if the rails being removed can be repurposed for trail amenities. Todd responded that they are being saved.

Mark Tooley, president of Friends of Ecusta Trail (FOET), thanked Janna Bianculli, Henderson County Senior Planner, for the excellent trail partners business meeting. He also reported that FOET is working on a framework for offering amenity naming opportunities that were promised to “Making the Dream Real” donors. In addition, FOET is working on a suggested trail etiquette list. Both of these will be submitted to RTAC at a later date.

Brevard’s Mayor Maureen Copelof confirmed expectations that the 30% design for the Transylvania County section of the trail will be completed by the end of June. She also announced that there will be a joint meeting on June 26 of the Brevard Ecusta Trail Advisory Board (ETAB), Brevard City Council, and Brevard Parks and Trails Committee.

Todd announced there has been a lot of talk about making the official trailhead for the Ecusta Trail to be located at the Visitors Center; and that it is really a challenge to have it anywhere else but there. The facilities are already in place and being improved, and the advantage is that having the trailhead there provides more access to Main Street. He asked RTAC to officially authorize him to approach the Henderson County Tourism Development Authority about this idea since they own the land on which the Visitors Center is located. The motion was approved.

Tooley asked the committee to recommend adopting the branding strategy for the Ecusta Trail that was led by FOET and collaboratively refined by the Operations Committee over the past year.

Burns suggested tabling formal consideration and voting of that branding strategy until the next meeting so that the RTAC members have time to review the branding strategy and amenities, along with discussing it with other communities to be able to make a uniform decision.

Hunter Marks from Watermark Landscape Architect then presented a possible design for trail amenities.

Marks showed several illustrations from the 30% design phase of how amenities such as rest stations, location markers, and interpretive signs might look with designs respecting the history of the Southern Railway. Wooden location markers would mimic whistle posts and location markers on them made from rustic looking Corten Steel. Design amenities would also include drinking fountains, parking areas, bike and repair racks, buffer areas of landscaping for rest and shade. Things such as trash cans could be agreed upon between the entities.

In response to a question on design timing from Shelton, Burns emphasized some urgency toward making a decision quickly. Since construction of the first 6 miles should be completed by the end of the year, the consensus was prioritization of some amenities would be beneficial, with some amenities not being ready when the first section of the trail opens.

Tooley requested that this amenity design presentation be given to the June 26 joint meeting of the Brevard Ecusta Trail Advisory Board (ETAB), Brevard City Council, and Brevard Parks and Trails Committee.

The meeting ended with additional public comment from Steve Line, who moved to Turley Falls specifically to be near the Ecusta Trail, with a suggestion for an opening celebration to include a bike cruise similar to that done in Golden, Colorado, where people decorate their bikes and wear costumes.

By Cindy Rusak