Asheville announces partial reopening of French Broad riverfront parks, greenways after Helene

Asheville announced the partial reopening of several riverfront parks and greenways along the French Broad on May 22, though some of the hardest hit areas remain fully closed.

In a news statement, the city urged people to be cautious and “mindful” while visiting reopened areas and to adhere to posted signage, barriers and instructions from park staff regarding closed areas or possible hazards.

“As federal inspections of impacted areas are completed and those areas are deemed safe, community members can expect a phased approach to reopening these cherished public spaces when possible,” a news release said. “Full rebuilding of parks, greenways, and public infrastructure along this corridor will take years.”

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In April, the city began the search for a design team to rebuild the park system on the French Broad River. It launched a similar process for the Swannanoa River riverfront in May.

Tree stumps can be seen along the French Broad River at French Broad River Park in Asheville, April 30, 2025.

What’s open? Closed?

Fully open:

• Amboy Riverfront Park
• Craven Street Trailhead Park
• Craven Street Bridge Boating Access Area
• Jean Webb Park
• Wilma Dykeman Greenway

Partially open:

• Carrier Park’s picnic shelter and adjacent wetlands educational area, rolling lawn, and east parking lot are open. The west side of the park, which includes the velodrome, remains closed except for French Broad River Greenway.
• French Broad River Greenway is open from Hominy Creek River Park to Amboy Riverfront Park and Craven Street to French Broad River Park, but the portion within French Broad River Park to Amboy Riverfront Park remains closed.

Fully closed:

• French Broad River Park
• Pearson Bridge River Access Area

In newly accessible areas, the city said some sections may have sustained “catastrophic damage” and remain closed or have temporary detours in place.

“City staff have been picking up extra work assignments and working around the clock to document damages and assess temporary measures to not only get these spaces accessible to our community but to ensure FEMA understands the depth and breadth of the impact from Helene on our public lands,” City of Asheville Recovery Coordinator Bridget Herring said in the release.

Sarah Honosky is the city government reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. News Tips? Email [email protected] or message on Twitter at @slhonosky.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Asheville announces partial reopening of French Broad riverfront parks, greenways

Reporting by Sarah Honosky, Asheville Citizen Times / Asheville Citizen Times

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