<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1DHuse_1GoWVdeA00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1DHuse_1GoWVdeA00" width="400" height="225" >What parks in Buncombe County are being restored after Hurricane Helene?What are the most common public suggestions for park improvements?Why did Hurricane Helene cause significant erosion in these parks?BUNCOMBE COUNTY, N.C. (WLOS) — Residents have a chance to help shape the future of three river parks in north Buncombe County that suffered significant damage during Hurricane Helene.Buncombe County is gathering public input on plans to restore Ledges Whitewater Park, Alexander River Park and Walnut Island River Park. The county says some areas lost between 20% and 50% of their land along the riverbanks because of erosion caused by the storm.Even two years after Helene, the damage remains visible along the river.For Marshall resident Jay Hawthorne, seeing what the storm left behind is difficult, saying “It breaks my heart."Hawthorne said his community was hit especially hard by the storm.“I live up in Marshall. In Marshall, we got hit really hard,” he said.Hawthorne said the destruction along the river is something he regularly sees and even hears.“The whole section of river was torn up,” Hawthorne said. “You can actually hear the damage. Rivers, the trees cracking as they come down the river.”Tree stumps remain scattered along the riverbanks, while exposed roots and washed-away soil show just how much land was lost.<img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0zB8CI_1GoWVdeA00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0zB8CI_1GoWVdeA00" width="800" height="450" >Joseph Guseman, parks division manager for Buncombe County, said the erosion significantly changed parts of the parks.“We lost probably 20 to 50% of the land in certain areas,” Guseman said.He said vegetation was stripped away by the storm, exposing the rock foundation along the river.“Vegetation was bare after the storm. You could see the rock foundation on the river,” Guseman said.Now, the county is working to develop plans for the parks' future and is asking residents what improvements they would like to see.During a parks design workshop Thursday, community members had an opportunity to share their ideas for the three properties.Some of the most common suggestions included improved public access, boat launches, parking areas and designated spaces for dog walking.Boat access is a particularly important issue for some residents.One workshop participant said they would like to see improvements to trailer launch facilities because they are a whitewater kayaker.Others said the current access points are difficult to use and can contribute to additional damage along the riverbanks.“Right now, people are using those parks to get on the river but it’s hard. It’s not probably really good for the river because you’re tearing up part of the earth to do it,” one resident said.Buncombe County resident, Gary Mann said he would also like to see better access at Alexander Park.“With Alexander Park, we’d like to have a little more access. It is gated off at this point and that was highly used before the storm,” Mann said.Hawthorne said he hopes the county will also consider bringing back some of the recreational amenities that were lost during Helene, including grills and barbecue areas.“It’s great to have grills down there and everything. Most of the grills got washed away. Helene took those to Tennessee,” Hawthorne said.The county is still exploring potential funding sources for the projects, including grants.Final concept plans for the three parks are expected to be announced in the spring of 2027. So far, there is no set timeline for when construction or restoration work could begin.Residents who want to weigh in on the future of the parks can complete Buncombe County's online survey. The survey will remain open through Thursday, Nov. 19.</div></body>

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BUNCOMBE COUNTY, N.C. (WLOS) — Residents have a chance to help shape the future of three river parks in north Buncombe County that suffered significant damage during Hurricane Helene. Buncombe County is gathering public input on plans to restore Ledges Whitewater Park, Alexander River Park and Walnut Island River...

Buncombe County seeks public input on restoring three Helene-damaged river parks

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BUNCOMBE COUNTY, N.C. (WLOS) — Residents have a chance to help shape the future of three river parks in north Buncombe County that suffered significant dam

Buncombe County seeks public input on restoring three Helene-damaged river parks

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