The Henderson County Rail-Trail Advisory Committee meeting on May 10^th was shorter than most, primarily because the Ecusta Trail project is on track. Senior Planner Janna Bianculli relayed that of all the projects underway in the 5 counties in the French Broad Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), the Ecusta Trail is the only one on schedule.

That said, there are a multitude of pieces at play that need to be coordinated to achieve year-end completion. All permits are in process for an expected June approval. Once permits are received, they must  be lined up with grant money, which happens at different stages during construction. Then contractors must be scheduled, with the final consideration that asphalt surfacing, planned for the end of the year, is heavily weather-dependent. The trail may need to be opened with a temporary surface, with a permanent resurface in the spring.

The draft of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Rail Trail was reviewed and discussed, with a vote to take place on its acceptance by all parties at the next meeting in June. This MOU between Henderson County, City of Hendersonville, Town of Laurel Park, Conserving Carolina, and the Friends of the Ecusta Trail will be available for viewing online at Draft MOU for Trail Operations. 

The MOU defines the responsibilities of each of the parties involved in the operation of the rail trail. Recognizing that it is in the best interest of the citizens of Henderson County to establish a single entity, Henderson County Parks and Recreation was designated to maintain and administer the trail within Henderson County, with the cooperation of the Henderson County Sheriff’s Department, City of Hendersonville Police Department, and the Town of Laurel Park. Officers from these jurisdictions will regularly patrol the trail system to enforce federal, state, and local law as well as Henderson County Parks and Recreation rules and regulations.

Friends of the Ecusta Trail, as a function of their advocacy, will take a leadership role in fundraising efforts for new amenities along the trail. They may develop a trail volunteer program to assist in patrolling and providing information to trail users.

Meeting attendees began defining trail maintenance, both in regard to what will need to be done and which municipality will be financially responsible. Conversation will continue.