All events listed on the Friends of the Oklawaha Greenway website are posted as a courtesy to the community, and the Friends group assumes no responsibility for them. All events listed are open to the public. Events are free unless a participation fee or other cost is noted.
| Date | News Information | Location |
|---|---|---|
| • SEPTEMBER 2023 | ||
| Thursday, Sep 7 at 1:15 PM | GenH - Hendersonville Comprehensive Plan Take the survey! The City of Hendersonville is beginning the process of developing a 2045 Comprehensive Plan to establish a long-term vision for sustainable growth and conservation. | Find the survey at hvlnc.gov/GenH The survey is open until Nov. 14, 2023. |
| • MARCH 2023 | ||
| Sunday, Mar 19 at 5:00 PM | Recent Grant Award - "Above the Mud" The City of Hendersonville has recently been awarded an NCDOT grant totaling $77,250 to provide funding to study the feasibility of a multi-modal path to connect the Ecusta Trail and Oklawaha Greenway. | For more information, read the press release from the City and the article in the Hendersonville Times-News. |
| • FEBRUARY 2023 | ||
| Friday, Feb 24 | A fun Friends of Oklawaha Greenway fundraiser The fundraiser lasts all of March, and so does the "voting" for the pronunciation of Oklawaha! Is it "Ock.." or "Oak..."? You can help us decide. | Read the story from the Hendersonville Times-News via BlueRidgeNow.com |
| Friday, Feb 10 | $5,000 Grant for Greenway The Community Foundation of Henderson County recently awarded a $5,000 grant to The Friends of the Oklawaha Greenway to support the Greenway's new birding trail. The grant will be used for signage that explains bird-friendly ecosystems and why they are important. The new signage will complement the Greenway's native plants garden and establish the Greenway as a key spot for local environmental education. | You can help support the new birding trail. |
| • SEPTEMBER 2022 | ||
| Saturday, Sep 17 | Record Group attends Greenway Bird Walk Local birder Cathy Ford lead a record number of participants on a guided Fall Migration Bird Walk along the Oklawaha Greenway. The group identified 33 species of birds in just about a mile! Red-winged Blackbirds were the most abundant single species — the group observed 30 of these distinctive birds. | As reported to eBird.org: View the checklist online to see the species names and numbers of birds observed. |
| • APRIL 2022 | ||
| Wednesday, Apr 13 | Wes Burlingame Native Plants Garden Dedication On April 9th, amid a few snow flurries (!), the Friends dedicated the native plants garden at the kiosk as a memorial to Wes Burlingame. | Read the article in the Hendersonville Lightning. |
| • MARCH 2022 | ||
| Sunday, Mar 20 at 11:30 AM | Oklawaha Greenway adds second Birding Hotspot A new birding hotspot on the Oklawaha Greenway in Hendersonville was recently approved by eBird, a worldwide, online bird database launched by Cornell University’s Lab of Ornithology in 2002. The Oklawaha Greenway’s paved path now connects two eBird hotspots. At the southern end of the greenway, more than 200 hundred species of birds have been recorded over the past 25 years at a hotspot in Jackson Park. At the greenway’s new hotspot, which is at the red kiosk between 7th Avenue and South Main Street, over 80 species have already been recorded. | See eBird for more about birding hotspots. Read the story in the Hendersonville Times-News online (will open in a new tab/window). |
| • SEPTEMBER 2021 | ||
| Friday, Sep 10 | NEW on the website — Plant of the Month "Plant of the Month" is a new monthly feature spotlighting a blooming native plant, interesting foliage, or unusual purpose or growth habit on display along the Greenway each month. Coming with your help — a map locating each month's special plant. | See them here or under the "About the Greenway" tab |
| • AUGUST 2021 | ||
| Monday, Aug 16 | Rail line purchased for Ecusta Trail; Campaign launched to fund construction The long-awaited Ecusta Trail is one step closer to officially becoming a rail trail. | Read the article in the Hendersonville Times-News |
| • MARCH 2020 | ||
| Thursday, Mar 5 | Ecusta Trail project gets $100K boost The possible development of the Ecusta Trail recently received a $100,000 boost from Transylvania County Tourism. | Read the article from the Hendersonville Times-News. (Will open in a new window.) |
| • JANUARY 2020 | ||
| Sunday, Jan 26 | Vote for the Oklawaha Greenway From the City of Hendersonville: The Oklawaha Greenway is eligible for an NCDOT Mobi Award and we need your help to win! | See the City's Facebook page for more information. (Will open in a new window.) |
| • NOVEMBER 2019 | ||
| Thursday, Nov 21 | Greenway Plans Presented to Commissioners Community feedback and crucial next steps were presented to the County Board of Commissioners. | Read the article from the Hendersonville Times-News |
| • OCTOBER 2019 | ||
| Wednesday, Oct 16 | Oklawaha Greenway is part of the White Squirrel Hiking Challenge 5 Each year, Conserving Carolina issues a challenge to hikers to complete the White Squirrel Challenge, 8 hikes all on lands that Conserving Carolina has helped protect. This year, the Oklawaha Greenway is included! | See Conserving Carolina for more information. |
| Tuesday, Oct 8 at 5:15 PM | $6.4 million Grant for Ecusta Trail Conserving Carolina has received two grants to support the potential acquisition of the railroad line between Hendersonville and Brevard for future “railbanking” as the Ecusta Trail, a public walking and biking trail. | For more information, see our Fall newsletter or the Conserving Carolina website. |
| • JULY 2019 | ||
| Tuesday, Jul 23 at 9:15 AM | Bold Rock Hard Cider hosts fundraiser for proposed Mills River Valley Trail From the Hendersonville Times-News, July 20, 2019 | Read the article. Will open in a new window. |
| • APRIL 2019 | ||
| Sunday, Apr 21 | Trail idea is alive and well "Our View" from the Hendersonville Times-News. The Ecusta Trial, like the Oklawaha, is one of the priority greenways identified in the County Greenways Master Plan. | Read the article. Will open in a new window. |
| Wednesday, Apr 17 | Oklawaha Greenway extension: Public gives input, asks questions A public meeting gave information about the Clear Creek Greenway extension project, which would add around three-quarters of a mile of paved trail and connect the existing Oklawaha Greenway to Carolina Village. | Read the article on the Times-News website. Will open in a new window. |
| Sunday, Apr 14 | Greenways are a great investment Opinion piece by Dr. Ken Shelton from the Hendersonville Times-News. | Read it (PDF, 728K). Will open in a new window. |
| Friday, Apr 5 | Hendersonville council, Carolina Village plan greenway extension Hendersonville City Council members voted Thursday to submit a grant application for the Clear Creek Greenway extension. | Read the article from the Hendersonville Times-News; includes a map which was not in the print version. |
| Friday, Apr 5 | Greenways plan shows progress "Our View" — A brief history of greenway support in Henderson County. | Read the opinion piece from the Hendersonville Times-News. |
| Wednesday, Apr 3 | Park improvements: Henderson County to seek $500,000 grant From the Hendersonville Times-News. PARTF could fund improvements to Oklawaha Greenway. | Read the article. |
| Tuesday, Apr 2 | Henderson County approves greenway plan for next 30 years Henderson County has officially adopted its draft 2020 Greenway Master Plan and will move forward with related feasibility studies. | Read the article on the HT-N website. |
| Monday, Apr 1 | 'A dream come true': Commissioners unanimously endorse greenway plan The Henderson County Board of Commissioners expressed enthusiastic support for a countywide greenway plan. | Read the article from the Hendersonville Lightning. |
| • MARCH 2019 | ||
| Friday, Mar 29 | City eyes grant application for Clear Creek greenway The Clear Creek extension to the Oklawaha Greenway would fit in with a master plan to extend the city greenway. | Read the article from the Hendersonville Lightning. |
| Thursday, Mar 14 | Oklawaha Trail - Bridge to be removed, pavement repaired Article in the Hendersonville Times-News | Read the article on the Times-News website |
| • NOVEMBER 2018 | ||
| Wednesday, Nov 28 | Five Advisiory Boards Endorse Greenway Master Plan Article from Hendersonville Lightning. | Read the article. (PDF; will open in a new window) |
| Sunday, Nov 11 | MountainTrue: More greenways needed for Henderson County communities Article by Katie Breckheimer in the Nov. 11, 2018 Hendersonville Times-News. | Read the article (pdf; will open in a new window) |
| Thursday, Nov 8 | Greenway plan envisions 71-mile network of trails Article from the Hendersonville Lightning, Nov. 8, 2018. | Read the article (pdf; will open in a new window) |
| • OCTOBER 2018 | ||
| Friday, Oct 26 | County leads on greenways Building greenways is a long-term project... Henderson County is planning now. | Read "Our View" in the Hendersonville Times-News |
| Saturday, Oct 20 | Draft Greenways Master Plan for Henderson Co. The county's draft greenways master plan is ready for review and comment. Read the plan; look at the maps; fill out the quick survey; attend a public input session on 10/23 or 10/25. Support Greenways! | See the article from the Hendersonville Times-News. |
| • JULY 2018 | ||
| Wednesday, Jul 25 | MPO announced grant for Mills River multiuse path From the Hendersonville Times-News. | Read the article. |
| Tuesday, Jul 17 | Letter to the Editor - Government support for greenways From the Asheville Citizen-Times. | Read the letter. |
| • APRIL 2018 | ||
| Monday, Apr 9 | Dollars, jobs flow from paths Opinion piece in Hendersonville Times-News. "Should we support more greenways? Only if we want more jobs, strong economic growth, healthier residents and safe opportunities for outdoor recreation, all while improving our environment." | Read the article. |
| Thursday, Apr 5 | Study shows economic impact of NC greenways Article in the Hendersonville Times-News. "Overall, the study found the Brevard Greenway generates an annual sales revenue output of $1.56 million, supports 21 jobs and generates $614,000 in labor income." | Read the article. |
| • MARCH 2018 | ||
| Thursday, Mar 8 | Mills River Town Council approves Highway 280 multi-use path Article in Hendersonville Times-News. "A multi-use path to run alongside N.C. Highway 280 has been given the go ahead for the north Mills River area." | Read the article. |
| • FEBRUARY 2018 | ||
| Friday, Feb 16 | Charting Paths for the Future Opinion piece in the Hendersonville Times-News | Read the opinion. |
| Saturday, Feb 10 | ‘Friends’ groups provide vital support for public lands Mountain XPress article about Friends groups by Danny Bernstein. | Read the article. |
| • DECEMBER 2017 | ||
| Friday, Dec 8 | Create safe options to walk, bike Opinion piece in the Hendersonville Times-News. | Read the opinion. |
| • NOVEMBER 2017 | ||
| Tuesday, Nov 7 | County gets money to study Oklawaha Greenway expansion From the Hendersonville Times-News | Read the article. |
| • SEPTEMBER 2017 | ||
| Thursday, Sep 14 | Mountain Community School Wins Bikes, Plans Monthly Rides From the Hendersonville Times-News; mentions the Oklawaha Greenway. | Read the article |
| Monday, Sep 4 | Regional planners OK three greenway studies From the Hendersonville Lightning | Read the article |
| • AUGUST 2017 | ||
| Thursday, Aug 24 | Nature Nuts on the Greenway, Wednesdays during Sept. and Oct. Nature Nuts is a new program for families with young children, sponsored by Hands On! and Hendersonville Pediatrics. | Read the article from the Hendersonville Times-News. |
| Friday, Aug 4 | Survey for NC 280 Multi-Use Path Community leaders are investigating the feasibility of a proposed 15-mile paved path between Mills River and Brevard, from Westfeldt Park, near the Asheville Airport, to Pisgah Forest at the junction of NC 280 and US 64. The proposed paved path would be parallel to and separated from the NC 280 roadway. | Answer nine survey questions online here. Read more information from the Hendersonville Times-News. Also, information here from WLOS and more from the Times-News. |
| • JULY 2017 | ||
| Monday, Jul 31 | Ask13 Answers a Question about the Oklawaha Greenway From WLOS channel 13, Asheville. | Watch the segment |
| Monday, Jul 17 | Article from Hendersonville Lightning "Support for greenway expansion gains momentum in cities, county." | Read the Article. Also see two related articles below. |
| Monday, Jul 17 | Hendersonville Lightning Related Article "Sanders is there when bicycling is on agenda" | Read the article |
| Monday, Jul 17 | Hendersonville Lightning Related Article "Key dates in Henderson County's greenway efforts" | Read the article |
| Friday, Jul 14 | WLOS TV features "Born Learning" Trail New 'Born Learning' trail in Hendersonville prepares kids for kindergarten | Read the article (WLOS website) |
| Tuesday, Jul 11 | Hendersonville Times-News article Brown to take over Parks and Recreation Department | Read the story (pdf) |
| Sunday, Jul 9 | Hendersonville Times-News opinion Kudos to county for Master Plans | Read the opinion (pdf) |
| • MAY 2017 | ||
| Sunday, May 7 | "Strive Not to Drive" article from Hendersonville Times-News Step out of your car comfort zone - by Katie Breckheimer. | Read the article (PDF) |
| • APRIL 2017 | ||
| Thursday, Apr 13 | Article from Hendersonville Times-News Bluebirds on the Oklawaha Greenway | Read the Story. |
| Tuesday, Apr 11 | Article from Hendersonville Times-News 'Walks and Talks' along the Greenway begin on April 22 | Read the story. |
| Sunday, Apr 9 | Letter to the Editor - Relay on the Greenway From the Hendersonville Times-News | Read the letter. |
| Saturday, Apr 1 | Letter to the Editor - A County Treasure From Hendersonville Times-News | Read the letter. |
| • MARCH 2017 | ||
| Tuesday, Mar 28 | Emergency Phones Installed Along Oklawaha Greenway From the Hendersonville Times-News | Read as a PDF |
| Thursday, Mar 16 | Master Plan for Greenway story - Hendersonville Times-News Report from the Henderson Co. Board of Commissioners meeting on March 15, 2017. | Read the article as a PDF |
| Thursday, Mar 9 | Letter to the Editor in support of Greenway From Hendersonville Times-News | Read the letter. |
| Monday, Mar 6 | Bluebird Nest Boxes More than a dozen new nest boxes have been installed on the Greenway, thanks to Joe Sanders and the Young Naturalists. The boxes in Jackson Park will be monitored by the County 4H Club. | 5 from N Main St to the bridge over Britton Creek; 4 on the Kimberly-Clark section; 4 in Jackson Park. |
| • FEBRUARY 2017 | ||
| Wednesday, Feb 22 | New Website Promotes Trail From Hendersonville Times-News | Read the article (PDF, 1.3MB) |
| • JANUARY 2017 | ||
| Tuesday, Jan 31 | Story featuring Oklawaha Greenway Photo 'Roller coaster' weather not uncommon for January | See the photo in BlueRidgeNow.com. |
| • NOVEMBER 2016 | ||
| Friday, Nov 25 | Oklawaha Greenway story in the Hendersonville Times-News The Oklawaha Greenway and the Hendersonville Fun Friends meet-up group were mentioned as well as the Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy. | Read it in BlueRidgeNow.com. |