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In this episode, I sit down with Bradley Spiegel (community planner at Equinox) and Carol Groben (Friends and Neighbors of Swannanoa) to unpack the story behind the proposed Swannanoa Greenway. The idea reaches back to flood planning after the 2004 storms and a 2010 greenway feasibility study that never turned into construction. Helene changed everything: the river’s path, the community’s priorities, and the stakes. Now the question is not just “Where should a trail go?” but “How do we give the Swannanoa River room to flood without destroying homes, businesses, and community spaces?”

We get specific about what resilience can look like on the ground: riparian buffer restoration, green infrastructure like bioswales, and targeted flood storage that slows stormwater and reduces risk downstream. We also talk connectivity and everyday safety, linking neighborhoods, schools, parks, and the US 70 business corridor. Along the way, we highlight key partners like Connect Buncombe and RiverLink, plus the momentum from a $100,000 Great Trails State Grant and the bigger vision of connecting into the Fonta Flora State Trail.

If you care about greenways, trail planning, stormwater management, flood mitigation, or the future of Western North Carolina’s outdoor economy, this conversation is for you.

Mike Andress
Host, Exploration Local
828-551-9065
mike@explorationlocal.com

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