Buncombe County parks staff set Oct. 3 public meeting for systemwide master plan; greenway projects face landowner hold-ups

Parks and Recreation staff told the Buncombe County advisory board on Sept. 10 that a public meeting on the system‑wide master plan will be held Oct. 3 at Weaverville Town Hall, with consultant-led table exercises and an evening public participation session. Staff said they are coordinating meeting details with other county departments and plan to bring the master plan to the county commission for adoption in late winter or early spring.

Thomas Gold, identified in the meeting as principal park planner, outlined three greenway projects at different stages. "We have obtained our 25% design set for the Inka Heritage Trail, ready to submit to NCDOT," Gold said, but he added the project is on pause because approval from landowners is contingent on the Inka partners receiving grant funds for parking at Bob Lewis Ballpark. For the Woodfin Highway 251 alignment, Gold said staff have been negotiating with MSD for eight months and expect higher‑level decision‑makers to meet with county staff next week. On Beaver Dam Creek, staff have submitted a 25% design set but face conflicts with a developer's site plan and the developer’s change of civil design teams; Gold said staff will follow up after the new designer reviews county plans.

The advisory board asked how grant timing affects the projects; staff said a notice‑to‑proceed for one grant application is expected Nov. 1 and that they will return to the board with funding details. The board also agreed staff will provide a deeper overview of the master plan at a future meeting so members can offer direction on priorities and participation.