Trail Talk - May 2024 - Ecusta Trail

May 2024

Connections

By Bernard Grauer

Meaningful connections are starting to take place between families, friends, and neighbors along the Ecusta Trail. Greetings and salutations spark conversations between pedestrians as they enjoy recent work on the trail. The recent mild winter allowed many individuals to use the trail safely. Many users came from the small neighborhoods dotting the trail.

Take the example of Tim and Debbie, who recently moved here from Arizona. The two moved to Western North Carolina for work and live 2 miles from the trail. They came to the trail to safely ride their bikes. They jokingly mention that “it’s time to get in shape again.” These enthusiastic trail users are excited about riding to a local coffee shop or the upcoming market in Laurel Park.

Other social and recreational connections involve an organized group of runners. The Hendersonville Run Club meets at Trailside Brewing (on the Ecusta Trail) on Thursdays at 6 p.m.. The group also meets on Tuesdays at Guidon Brewing and uses the Oklawaha Greenway. Walkers and runners can safely meet and enjoy the outdoors with a walk, or a 3-mile or 5-mile run. Meaningful conversations and impromptu shenanigans typically happen after the run. Some socialites join the group for fellowship after the run.

After the October groundbreaking, many individuals have safely enjoyed sections of the trail that were not under construction. Mild winters have always been a joy for outdoor enthusiasts; however, the spring thaw has given way to drier days for construction to begin. You may have seen photos of the recent grading and drainage work. Concrete forms and culverts are slowly replacing the old rustic wooden beams that held the brunt of the load of rail cars. Temporary warning signs are posted to keep appropriate boundaries between heavy equipment and onlookers. Please remain respectful during this time and heed warning signs. The first phase of the Ecusta Trial is underway and should be finished by year’s end.

Henderson County Rail-Trail

Advisory Committee

By Cindy Ruzak

Chair Chris Burns called the meeting to order and welcomed new RTAC member Patrick Kennedy.

During the opening public comment, Austin and Andrea Bankert, owners of Cognative Brew House in Horseshoe, asked if there are any plans for pedestrian traffic at the intersection of Highway 64 and South Rugby Road. Specifically, they wondered about crosswalks and sidewalks to accommodate bikers from the Ecusta Trail, as well as pedestrians to their business and other businesses in the area, and if the speed limit could be lowered.

Henderson County Planning Director, Autumn Radcliff said they are looking into a couple of new grant options with the NCDOT. At some point it will become beneficial for business owners to write letters in support of the grants. Henderson County engineer Marcus Jones added that he also is waiting on a proposal for a 30% design, so things will be ready to move forward once funds are obtained. As far as speed reduction, the recommendation was to petition the DOT directly.

Mark Tooley, president of the Friends of the Ecusta Trail, reported that the review of the website for the organization is underway and will be completed this summer.

Jones reported that Phase 1 construction is on schedule for December completion, with the drainage being the current focus as it was last month. The contractor, NHM, is installing cross-drainage pipes, abutments for bridges and re-grading ditches. In some cases where the position of the trail makes it impossible to grade, they are installing buried pipe for drainage. Also, the contractor has run into “bad soil” where density of the soil negates drainage, so it is being removed and replaced.

Jones also mentioned that it now looks likely the two remaining sections of the trail may be contracted at the same time, providing cost savings, with a tentative timeline of 3-4 years to completion.

Amenities are being included in the Ecusta Trail West section plan, while they had been pulled out of the Ecusta Trail East section plan due to grant requirement wording. However, funding is now available to cover East section amenities, and he is working on advancing from the 30% to 100% design for those to catch up in time for construction.

Brevard’s council was participating online, and Mayor Maureen Copelof reported that the Brevard trail portion’s 30% design should be completed. Having received a $1 million funding commitment, they can move directly to the 90% design. She jested that perhaps Henderson can get caught up.

Brent Detwiler of the Hendersonville Director Public Services Department gave a detailed explanation of the final plan for the bike traffic to transit from the Kanuga trailhead into downtown Hendersonville. There will be two 5-foot-wide bike paths, one for each direction along the south end straight road portion of Main Street that are located generally between parked car areas and the sidewalk in the downtown area to Allen Street. Dedicated crosswalk signals will aid pedestrians and bikers to navigate the area, and a bike corral of some sort is planned for the area in front of the Visitors Center. Paving work will begin around Memorial Day, followed by striping. Some placement of the more permanent bollards might be delayed until after the Apple Festival due to logistical concerns for the event. Striping bids are still being solicited, and if there continues to be some difficulty in that regard, then some of the striping may need to be done with the city’s own crews.

Chris Burns asked if there would be any signage to get people down 4th Street to the Oklawaha Trail. Radcliff said she is working with the business partners group to map a safe route to do so. Detwiler added that the “Above the Mud” project is working on a public survey that has gone out to Friends of the Ecusta and others for input on that connection, along with connecting to 7th Ave.

Ken Shelton summarized the positive presentation made by Swamp Rabbit Trail partners to the Ecusta Trail Partners meeting, especially about the multiple ways they collaborate to solve problems such as parking. He suggested that at each of the RTAC meetings there be a discussion of updates with partners and naming opportunities.

Radcliff agreed that whenever there was something new with the partners that it would be mentioned, but perhaps not at every meeting. Jones said it is better to wait until amenity contracts have been let to see what will be in place first before specific naming opportunities are offered.

The end of meeting public comment period yielded a question from Tooley on whether or not a policy would be issued regarding pedal assisted e-bikes. The consensus from multiple persons was to maintain a reliance on etiquette education versus policy until there is an apparent reason to do differently.

Selena Einwechter, RTAC vice chair, asked if the park rules (under which Ecusta will fall) are published regarding such concerns. Several persons indicated that some guidelines are being worked on, with Tooley adding that Friends of the Ecusta Trail is also planning some published guidelines.

To learn more about the South Main Street Bike and Pedestrian Improvements please click here.

To see detail pictures of the South Main Street Bike and Pedestrian Improvements please click here.

Next meeting of the Committee is scheduled for May 8, 2024, at 10:00 AM.

Brevard Ecusta Trail

Advisory Board

By Matt Revis

After verification of a quorum, Aaron Baker (Brevard City Council) convened this month’s meeting as Co-Chair in the absence of Mayor Copelof. Selena Einwechter was welcomed and will be attending meetings as a representative from the Henderson County Rail Trail Advisory Committee (RTAC).

Wilson Hooper (City Manager) proposed the need for a meeting of closely interested ET partners. Proposed attendees would include representatives from the Friends of Ecusta Trail (FOET), Brevard Parks and Recreation, and the Brevard Ecusta Trail Advisory Board (ETAB). The purpose of these discussions is to describe outcomes regarding eventual governance of the Ecusta Trail when the Brevard (ETAB) is disbanded, which according to its charter is at the end of trail construction. Hooper emphasized the importance of defining these governance roles long before the ET is completed in Transylvania. In addition, he added the necessity to begin considering the impact of a busy ET on the everyday work of City staff.

Mark Tooley (FOET) added that the FOET must also develop new visions to guide the non-profit when the ET becomes a reality. The current FOET goals are tied to planning, fund-raising, and coordination of local efforts to create the Trail. However, the need for ongoing ET support and oversight continues after construction, creating a vital role for a re-envisioned FOET. Tooley requested a response from the City of Brevard to a letter asking for help with this task.

Paul Ray (Brevard Planning) reported that public engagement will begin again with a new June ET newsletter to be sent to property owners adjacent to the Trail. Also, following Brevard Planning presentations to public officials, a potential meeting with the adjacent property owners is tentatively planned for July.

Clark Lovelace (Tourism Development Authority) reported that the TDA has approved revision of the agreement between the TDA and City of Brevard for distribution of a $1M grant over 4 years for ET construction. Mr. Hooper expressed his intention to ask for $250K soon to help cover upcoming engineering costs. Mr. Tooley inserted that the FOET will also contribute significantly to engineering costs. Councilman Baker highlighted the unseen discussions that have resulted in the availability of these contributions.

Selena Einwechter shared the enthusiasm generated by construction starting in Henderson County. She remains confident that the first 5-mile section of Henderson County’s trail, termed Ecusta East, will be completed by the end of 2024. In addition, she revealed that the City of Hendersonville intends to build a path from downtown to the ET. Many committee members followed with comments supporting the idea of using the Trail to bring people into downtown Brevard and Hendersonville. Similar positive consumer traffic is expected in Laurel Park, Horse Shoe, Etowah, and Penrose.

In further discussion, planned NCDOT road construction will intersect with the ET in a couple of locations. Lonnie Watkins agreed that the NCDOT is open to designing new road construction in ways that promote trail access and safety. Hooper suggested that Transportation Planning and Development (TPD), the chosen engineering firm for Transylvania ET design, be tasked with developing such recommendations for the DOT. The Committee approved this.

Next meeting is scheduled for May 29, 2024, at 3:30 PM.

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