RiverLink's French Broad River Paddle Trail just got one step closer to reality. The non-profit was awarded a grant in the amount $78,890 toward river access in Marshall, signage, and tools and materials for construction of campsites. The goal of the Paddle Trail is to allow overnight camping at a series of campsites along the French Broad River. Spaced about 8 miles apart, the sites will feature paddle-in, paddle-out camping at primitive campsites and a few amenities at the improved campsites. Currently there are no facilities for free overnight camping on the French Broad. RiverLink is pleased to be leading this exciting project and future amenity for the region.
RiverLink has been working on the paddle trail in idea form since 2007. In 2010 the non-profit began the planning efforts with the assistance of an eight-member advisory board made up of long time river advocates and paddlers from the region, including Will Leverette, Steve Hendricks, Gordon grant and Ed Maggart. RiverLink also worked with a landscape architect intern, Scott Ogletree from Clemson University, to assess the trail, and research existing paddle trails around the country.
The grant came from the North Carolina Trails Program, under the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources Division of Parks and Recreation. The Recreational Trails Program funded $75,000 for access and campsite construction, while the Adopt-a -Trail Program has funded $3,890 for trail signage.
The French Broad River Paddle Trail will serve to protect the river as a resource for recreation, environmental stewardship, education, and economic development. The trail will build long-term partnerships with local governing agencies and private landownersto make the French Broad River accessible and memorable for residents and vacationers. As we move forward with the development of the trail there will be opportunities to assist in the trail design, and construction. Please let RiverLink know if you are interested in helping with the project by visiting the website or emailing: nancy@riverlink.org
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