This is big. Press release here:
Between now and June 30, a very generous donor will match dollar for dollar every donation and pledge for RiverLink’s annual fund.
RiverLink is a regional organization whose mission is the economic and environmental revitalization of the French Broad River and its watershed as a destination where everyone can live, work, and play.
RiverLink was founded to preserve and protect the watershed as well as guide development along our riverfronts. Our tag line is live, work and play. RiverLink is the only organization in WNC entirely focused on the watershed issues of water quality and water quantity.
Since 1987, RiverLink have been hosting public input sessions, soliciting donations of land, buying land, developing greenways and adaptively reusing historic property. We helped build the first greenway in Asheville at French Broad River Park. This park is a prototype of what the river can become.
In 1999, we acquired the former Asheville Motor Speedway and raised over $1.8 million to develop it into Carrier Park, the most used parks and recreation facility in the citywide system. In 2006, we acquired the former EDACO junk yard and we have recycled over 100,000 of tons of concrete at the site and placed it into the Brownfield’s Program. On September 8, 2007, we acquired the Blue Building on Riverside Drive. Both EDACO and the Blue Building represent “missing links’ in the riverfront greenway and Wilma Dykeman RiverWay plan. Both of these properties are currently in the NC Brownfield Program. Each of the properties will be cleaned up and developed into important greenway park links in the system for the public to enjoy.
This past year we have continued clean up at both EDACO and the Blue Buildings. We are in the second Phase of testing at EDACO and so far so good – no big problems! The Blue Buildings are coming down slowly. However, the materials from the Blue Building have enabled six new artist studios in the river district with recycled materials with more to come. At EDACO, now named Karen Cragnolin Park, we have teamed up with the French Broad River Garden Club Foundation and nominated it for a Garden Club of America grant.
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For more information about how you can become involved contact RiverLink at 828-252-8474, ext 110 or visit our website at www.riverlink.org.