Wow! There are two important surveys currently seeking your input. One is the City of Hendersonville’s solution options for connecting the Ecusta Trail to the Oklawaha Trail. The second one is a regional planning survey that encompasses all modes of transportation, including bike/pedestrian future projects.

We have 4,000 subscribers who receive this email, and this is an opportunity to fully participate and have an impact on the continued improvements to connectivity, accessibility and mileage of bike/pedestrian options in beautiful western North Carolina! Please take a few minutes to learn more about both surveys and then complete them.

Survey #1: City of Hendersonville Above the Mud Survey

In 2023, the City of Hendersonville received a Feasibility Study Grant from NCDOT’s Integrated Mobility Division to investigate options to link the Ecusta Trail near downtown Hendersonville with the Oklawaha Greenway in Jackson Park and the 7th Avenue Historic District.

Since receiving the grant, they have identified two alternatives that meet the goals of the project. When you first open the survey, please carefully read about Alternatives A and B and review the included maps.

Some extra information for consideration:

• Both alternatives will provide access to parking in Jackson Park.
• Portions of Alternative B (from S. King to Jackson Park) are proposed as part of a City-managed (Mike Huffman, Stormwater Division Manager) floodplain restoration project that is being led by the City. Integration with these projects should help with the flooding issue.  In Jackson Park, Alternative B would include grading and/or boardwalk sections as necessary to get the trail “above the mud” for as many flood events as possible.
• This feasibility study does not address the section of the Oklawaha Greenway that often floods in Jackson Park. Henderson County has applied for grant funding to rebuild this section of the greenway.
• The City is currently working on bicycle and pedestrian improvements on S. Main St. from King to Allen. Look for a future article about this!

Alternative A

• Provides more direct access to 4th Avenue and the 7th Avenue district.
• Less affected by flooding.

Alternative B

May be more aesthetically pleasing because it traverses more undeveloped land.

Could still be affected by major flooding events.

Must go through Jackson Park to get to 4th Avenue/the 7th Avenue district.

Survey #2: Regional Transportation Priorities

This survey, developed by the French Broad River Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), the Land of Sky Rural Planning Organization (RPO) and NCDOT, includes highway, transit, bike/pedestrian, and rail projects in our region being considered in North Carolina’s prioritization process. The purpose of the survey is to gain an understanding of public sentiment around each project and will be used to inform official regional priorities later this year.

The survey has been developed to be as easy and accessible as possible. If there is only one project or area you are interested in- that’s fine! You may answer the surveys on any projects in as many counties as you would like.

As a bike/pedestrian and Ecusta Trail supporter, the below maps should be viewed in conjunction with the maps on the survey. 

Please note that the “funded” and “Unfunded”  projects pertain to projects funded through the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). In other words, there may be other projects using other means of funding that aren’t included on the maps. These are just the projects that are dealt with at  MPO/RPO through the STIP.

By Lynn Huffman