City of Asheville partners with NC Wildlife Resource Commission on new river access
A new river access point on the French Broad River in Asheville’s River Arts District has just opened. This is a boat ramp on Riverside Drive just south of the Smith Bridge (190 Riverside Drive).
The City of Asheville partnered with North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission to make this project happen.
While the ramp and dock were built earlier this year, installation of the driveway, parking lot and signage has just been completed.
This is the first public boat ramp in Asheville. Unlike other public access points, which have were constructed as wooden or stone stairs, this boat launch is a great place for people with trailers or anglers with bigger boats to get in and out of the river. According to Sara Sherman with NC Wildlife Resources Commission, the idea was to increase and diversify ways that people can get in to the river.
“The Jean Webb river access steps renovation and new Craven Street Bridge Boating Access Area projects will provide additional public recreational access opportunities to the French Broad River,” said Sherman. “These projects are made possible by the generous partnership with City of Asheville. The Commission is extremely appreciative to have been included in the vision and planning for the River Arts District projects.”
During the next three years, this and other river access sites in the River Arts District Transportation Improvement Project (RADTIP) construction area may be temporarily closed due to construction in the area.
