Ashvegas reader: What’s up with all the ‘no parking’ signs along Old Farm School Road?

5 Comments

1. 

   Morgan May 9, 2011

   While I am grateful for people commenting on my post, most of these comments were not helpful at all. I have never parked my car in a place where parking wasn't allowed, I have never stood in the middle of the street and blocked traffic. Every time I go out there I always make sure to pack ALL my trash out.

   The only question I needed answered was why is there no parking signs in front of the trailhead which was obviously made for parking and if there was somewhere else that I didn't know of that I could park.

   The assumption that just because a spot is frequented means that it is getting ruined is ridiculous. I have never in the years that I have gone to this spot seen it being abused.

   Reply
2. 

   WWC Alum May 4, 2011

   As a graduate of the school, I've been frequenting those trails for over 15 years now, and I have gotten some very clear answers regarding the trail rules and the parking issues.

   After decades of mostly student traffic on those trails, the general public has discovered the trails at the school. There have been a few unfortunate incidents which have made students feel unsafe. This led to some rather simple and unobtrusive regulations that are posted at trail heads.

   As far as the parking goes – it isn't any Draconian crackdown. Most of the parking rules exist to be certain that farm vehicles can still access the various areas of the working farm. The parking area at the Swannanoa River crossing also includes the gates to a large portion of cow pasture. When cars are blocking access to these fields, not much can be done.

   Anyway, my understanding is that though the land is privately owned by the college, they would much prefer NOT to limit access by the public to these trails. Please, if you are on these trails, be respectful of both the posted rules and the parking restrictions.

   If anyone from the college would like to contradict or clarify anything I have said here, please feel free to do so. This is just my synopsis of the conversations I have had with various college officials.

   Reply
3. 

   Lena May 4, 2011

   I grew up in that area and used to frequent the old 'rope swing' out there as a teen – part of that property is Warren Wilson's, but some of it is also private, I believe.

   I know back when I was in high school, there were so many who'd go out there and park all up and down the side of the road that it would create a traffic safety hazard, plus some of us unknowingly parked on private property and the property owners would call the Sheriff's dept on us to move our cars – so maybe the same thing is happening again.

   I think if you go to the other side of the property (continue down the road and take a right), that there is some sort of parking and you can access the same area, although it's a bit longer of a walk.

   Reply
4. 

   Jody May 3, 2011

   That's a really dangerous area for parking because it is on a blind curve, and on a hill. Tons of people were parking there and half the time their cars were blocking the road and people were standing in it. A lot of people who live in the area asked the Highway Patrol to do something about the problem and the signs, along with additional enforcement patrols, are the result.

   It is a great spot, but was getting loved to death.

   Reply
5. 

   ashevillain May 3, 2011

   There have always been signs on Old Farm School near the Swannanoa River (at least since about 1997). It started off as one sign on each side of the road and over the years they have multiplied because people don't heed them. On the river side my guess is that it is such a tiny space that people try to fit too many cars into so it becomes unsafe. On the opposite side of the street is private property. If there were no signs there when you last went it's most likely because they had been stolen.

   There are plenty of other places to park to access the trails and the river.

   Reply