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County staff recommends pivot after Enka/Anka Heritage Trail easement impasse
Summary
Parks and Recreation staff told commissioners the Enka/Anka Heritage Trail reached 25% design but stalled after the landowner (Anka Youth Sports Organization) requested purchase of roughly 51 acres for about $1.6M. Staff proposed shifting to county-owned connectivity, pointing to a recently installed 10‑foot path and improved on‑park circulation.
Parks and Recreation staff presented a progress update on the Enka/Anka Heritage Trail, saying the project reached roughly 25% design but hit an easement impasse when the Anka Youth Sports Organization declined to convey required easements. "We were unable to secure those easements at that time," the presenter said, describing a long-running effort that began in 2014.
Staff described environmental constraints in a half‑mile segment and a pause after Hurricane Helene required NCDOT to place Division 13 projects on hold. Because the landowner later requested compensation and new conditions, staff proposed pivoting to connectivity projects on county‑owned land — including a permanent 10‑foot asphalt path already installed around Fields 3 and 5 at the Buncombe County Sports Park — to ensure safe, controllable connections to Sand Hill School and other facilities.
