Council OKs butterfly trail MOU and Eagle Scout fishing pier; tree-planting proposal at Lake Tomahawk sent back for site review

The Black Mountain Town Council on Oct. 13 approved two park-related items and discussed a third.

Bee City USA/Asheville Butterfly Trail: Council approved a memorandum of understanding to host a butterfly sculpture (a station on the Asheville Butterfly Trail) at South Veterans Park. Bee City USA representatives said the monarch-themed station would be funded by outside donors and Bee City USA; the $15,000 station cost includes stewardship funds to maintain the site. Parks & Recreation staff and local disc-golf and community-garden representatives reviewed proposed locations; the disc-golf group recommended two positions that avoid the fairways. Council approved the MOU and asked staff to finalize the exact installation site in coordination with stakeholders.

Eagle Scout fishing pier: The council unanimously approved an Eagle Scout project proposed by Life Scout Berkeley Reese to construct a handicap-accessible fishing pier near the tennis courts and picnic pavilion at Lake Tomahawk. The scout said the design, prepared with input from a civil engineer, will use driven posts (not floats) and accommodate four users; Parks & Recreation will coordinate a temporary lowering of the lake to install posts.

Tree-planting proposal at Lake Tomahawk: A local chapter of the North Carolina Wildlife Federation proposed planting about 90 native trees and later understory shrubs on a roughly 0.3-acre strip between the pool and tennis courts to convert lawn to habitat, reduce stormwater runoff and provide wildlife benefits. The chapter offered to fund up to $10,000 for trees, mulch and signage and proposed a volunteer planting on Nov. 15. Council members and tennis-association speakers raised concerns about proximity to the tennis courts and pool (leaves on courts, root impacts on utilities/fencing, potential effects on the dam and pool maintenance). Staff and council requested further site analysis, utility-locate checks and coordination with Parks & Recreation and suggested alternative locations (including a large East‑side property donors gave the town) might be preferable. The council asked the chapter and staff to continue coordination and to return with a refined site plan.

Ending: The council approved the butterfly station MOU and the Eagle Scout pier and asked staff and volunteer groups to resolve utility, site and maintenance questions for the tree-planting proposal before approving construction.