Lessons For RESILIENCE

Greenways are a timely investment in our future. They improve public health, support small businesses, preserve culture, and create spaces for connection across generations.

“We could have a safer, and more connected community,” Megan McCreary told 100+ attendees at the recent community event, Rising Strong:Greenways for Connection and Resilience.

“A fire can heat your home - or burn it down” (without community members at the table, the economic growth could just as easily displace locals), said Jason McDougal, Camp Grier Executive Director and one of the community leaders behind the G5 Trail Collective.

The best ways to be updated on the greenway is to follow the FANS Facebook page and sign up to receive the FANS newsletter at https://www.swannanoafans.org/.

Join us in building what’s next - donate to support Thrive Asheville’s work.

future Rising Strong: Greenways for connection and resilience was a joint effort of thrive asheville and these partners:

Connect Buncombe

Friends and Neighbors of Swannanoa

Swannanoa Grassroots Alliance

As we build back our region, we face critical choices about how to mitigate future flooding risk. How we repair the rivers, and what we build near our rivers, will determine the impacts of the next flooding event. What we heard from local experts and guests from nearby communities is that greenways present a win-win opportunity to stimulate economic growth and achieve other important community goals - including flood mitigation.

We appreciate the participation of these local experts and guests from other communities with similar trails and greenways:

  • Lisa Raleigh, Riverlink

  • Jake McClean, Wildlands Engineering

  • Allison Dains, Buncombe County

  • Tissica Schoch, Swannanoa Grassroots Alliance

  • Bradley Spiegel, Swannanoa Grassroots Alliance

  • Jason McDougal, Camp Grier

  • Stephanie Swepson Twitty, Eagle Market Streets Development Corporation

  • Mark Tooley, Friends of the Ecusta Trail

  • Shelley McKechnie, Fonta Flora State Trail

  • Shannon Capezzali, Planner, Buncombe County

  • Megan McCreary, Friends and Neighbors of Swannanoa, Connect Buncombe, and Swannanoa Grassroots Alliance