Hendersonville’s 3.5 mile Oklawaha Greenway winds through wetlands, meadows and forests to connect four parks. It takes its name from a Cherokee word meaning “slowly moving muddy waters” because much of the Greenway runs along Mud Creek, a key part of the Henderson County watershed. The Audubon Society recently named the Greenway as a birding “hot spot” because of the wide variety of birds it attracts. Wildflowers, native trees and small mammals abound. The fully paved Greenway is a five-minute drive from downtown Hendersonville and easily accessible from five convenient parking areas.
In November, five key Henderson County advisory committees gave their unanimous support to the proposed Greenway Master Plan including the Planning Board, the Transportation Advisory Committee, the Environmental Advisory Committee, the Tourism Development Authority, the Board of Health, and the Recreation Advisory Committee. Their input will be provided to the Board of Commissioners as part of their final review of the Master Plan early this year.
You might also want to take a minute to write a letter, e-mail or call the Board of Commissioners in support of greenways. Addresses are available at: www.hendersoncountync.gov/boc
To date, area organizations have written letters in support of the Oklawaha Greenway. See the letters.
Strut Your Mutt Sat., Jul. 27, 2019
Dogs on the Greenway! Friends of the Oklawaha Greenway are participating in the event hosted by Blue Ridge Humane Society and other organizations.
Kiwanis 5th Annual Bunny Hop 5K Fun Run Sat., Apr. 27, 2019 at 10:00 AM
$15 per adult / $5 per youth (ages 6-18) / FREE for children (ages 0-5) Day-of Registration - April 20th, 2019 $20 per adult / $10 per youth (ages 6-18) / FREE for children (ages 0-5) Event t-shirt: $10.00 (choose option during registration) *** Free bunny ears for all pre-registered participants *** Prizes given for best individual costume, oldest, and youngest hoppers Special appearance by the Easter Bunny One lucky person will win a prize of $50 This is not a sanctioned race – this is a Fun Run for all ages! Places will not be tallied 100% of funds raised from this fun run will stay in Henderson County benefiting Kiwanis-supported local youth programs such as: Terrific Kids * Balfour Babies * Shoes & Socks program
2019 Ville to Ville Relay Sat., Apr. 13, 2019 at 9:00 AM
The Ville to Ville Craft Brew Relay is a 73-mile team running event from Asheville to Greenville. The public is invited as spectators. Teams will be in Hendersonville and on the Greenway from about 9am-1pm. For 2019 there will be 335 teams, approximately 2000 participants.
Show Your Support For Greenways at the Historic Court House At 5:30 On April 1st Mon., Apr. 1, 2019 at 5:30 PM
That is when the Henderson County Board of Commissioners will review the County’s draft Greenway Master Plan. The 30-year plan proposes 70 miles of inter-connected trails throughout the county. Its approval would enable Conserving Carolina to work with the County to get the easements required to start trail construction. An approved Master Plan will also facilitate grant applications and other fund raising efforts to help finance trail construction.
Oklawaha Trail - Bridge to be removed, pavement repaired Thu., Mar. 14, 2019
Article in the Hendersonville Times-News
Five Advisiory Boards Endorse Greenway Master Plan Wed., Nov. 28, 2018
Article from Hendersonville Lightning.
MountainTrue: More greenways needed for Henderson County communities Sun., Nov. 11, 2018
Article by Katie Breckheimer in the Nov. 11, 2018 Hendersonville Times-News.
Greenway plan envisions 71-mile network of trails Thu., Nov. 8, 2018
Article from the Hendersonville Lightning, Nov. 8, 2018.
County leads on greenways Fri., Oct. 26, 2018
Building greenways is a long-term project... Henderson County is planning now.
Draft Greenways Master Plan for Henderson Co. Sat., Oct. 20, 2018
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!
MPO announced grant for Mills River multiuse path Wed., Jul. 25, 2018
From the Hendersonville Times-News.
Letter to the Editor - Government support for greenways Tue., Jul. 17, 2018
From the Asheville Citizen-Times.
Dollars, jobs flow from paths Mon., Apr. 9, 2018
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."
Study shows economic impact of NC greenways Thu., Apr. 5, 2018
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."
Mills River Town Council approves Highway 280 multi-use path Thu., Mar. 8, 2018
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."
Charting Paths for the Future Fri., Feb. 16, 2018
Opinion piece in the Hendersonville Times-News
‘Friends’ groups provide vital support for public lands Sat., Feb. 10, 2018
Mountain XPress article about Friends groups by Danny Bernstein.
Create safe options to walk, bike Fri., Dec. 8, 2017
Opinion piece in the Hendersonville Times-News.
County gets money to study Oklawaha Greenway expansion Tue., Nov. 7, 2017
From the Hendersonville Times-News
Mountain Community School Wins Bikes, Plans Monthly Rides Thu., Sep. 14, 2017
From the Hendersonville Times-News; mentions the Oklawaha Greenway.
Regional planners OK three greenway studies Mon., Sep. 4, 2017
From the Hendersonville Lightning
Nature Nuts on the Greenway, Wednesdays during Sept. and Oct. Thu., Aug. 24, 2017
Nature Nuts is a new program for families with young children, sponsored by Hands On! and Hendersonville Pediatrics.
Survey for NC 280 Multi-Use Path Fri., Aug. 4, 2017
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.
Ask13 Answers a Question about the Oklawaha Greenway Mon., Jul. 31, 2017
From WLOS channel 13, Asheville.
Article from Hendersonville Lightning Mon., Jul. 17, 2017
"Support for greenway expansion gains momentum in cities, county."
WLOS TV features "Born Learning" Trail Fri., Jul. 14, 2017
New 'Born Learning' trail in Hendersonville prepares kids for kindergarten
Hendersonville Times-News article Tue., Jul. 11, 2017
Brown to take over Parks and Recreation Department
Hendersonville Times-News opinion Sun., Jul. 9, 2017
Kudos to county for Master Plans
"Strive Not to Drive" article from Hendersonville Times-News Sun., May. 7, 2017
Step out of your car comfort zone - by Katie Breckheimer.
Article from Hendersonville Times-News Thu., Apr. 13, 2017
Bluebirds on the Oklawaha Greenway
Article from Hendersonville Times-News Tue., Apr. 11, 2017
'Walks and Talks' along the Greenway begin on April 22
Letter to the Editor - Relay on the Greenway Sun., Apr. 9, 2017
From the Hendersonville Times-News
Letter to the Editor - A County Treasure Sat., Apr. 1, 2017
From Hendersonville Times-News
Emergency Phones Installed Along Oklawaha Greenway Tue., Mar. 28, 2017
From the Hendersonville Times-News
Master Plan for Greenway story - Hendersonville Times-News Thu., Mar. 16, 2017
Report from the Henderson Co. Board of Commissioners meeting on March 15, 2017.
Letter to the Editor in support of Greenway Thu., Mar. 9, 2017
From Hendersonville Times-News
Bluebird Nest Boxes Mon., Mar. 6, 2017
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.
New Website Promotes Trail Wed., Feb. 22, 2017
From Hendersonville Times-News
Story featuring Oklawaha Greenway Photo Tue., Jan. 31, 2017
'Roller coaster' weather not uncommon for January
Oklawaha Greenway story in the Hendersonville Times-News Fri., Nov. 25, 2016
The Oklawaha Greenway and the Hendersonville Fun Friends meet-up group were mentioned as well as the Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy.
Johnson Field Airport is a Weather Underground personal weather station located at Hendersonville Airport.
