Press release:
Sept. 10: Clean Water Walk With Friends of the Oklawaha Greenway
Hendersonville, N.C. — The public is invited to join Friends of the Oklawaha Greenway on Saturday, September 10 for a Clean Water Walk & Talk, led by Philip Ellis, hydraulic engineer with Robinson Design Engineers.
Ellis is an accomplished whitewater paddler who regularly kayaks on the Green River, the French Broad River, Mud Creek and other waterbodies in the region, giving him first-hand knowledge of the health of our waterways. As an engineer, he works to shape the built environment in a manner that promotes healthy ecosystems by combining his areas of expertise in urban infrastructure, stormwater management, watershed modeling, bank erosion stabilization, sediment transport, and field measurement of hydraulic and sediment transport processes.
“Because of our unique geographical position, rainfall patterns from Hendersonville to Highlands are relatively high,” explains Ellis, “If managed properly: rainfall, stormwater runoff, and our urban waterways can be a great amenity to the community.”
This Clean Water Walk & Talk is a great opportunity for nature enthusiasts, people interested in how things work and where water flows and anyone wanting to explore the new section of the Oklawaha Greenway. Participants on this walk will observe and learn about the bioretention basin at Berkeley Mills parking area, bank restoration of Britton Creek, and floodplain hydraulics along the Greenway.
The Friends of the Oklawaha Greenway host a series of Oklawaha Greenway Walks & Talks, guided educational outings that provide participants with an opportunity to spend time in nature and learn about our environment. These programs are open to the public at no charge.
Meet at the Hendersonville Water Treatment Plant located at 99 Balfour Road. The walk will be about 90 minutes, beginning with a tour of the water treatment plant, followed by a walk along the greenway to a stream restoration project. The hike will be held rain or shine. Parking is available at the water treatment plant.
The next “Walk & Talk” will take place on October 8 and will focus on Migratory Birds, led by Cherie Pittillo.
The Friends of the Oklawaha Greenway is a group of local organizations and area residents who recognize the many community values offered by greenway trails, such as improved health, recreation, off-road transportation, connectivity, preserved open space, and economic opportunity. The Oklawaha Greenway currently connects Berkeley Park, Patton Park and Jackson Park. The Friends of the Oklawaha Greenway plan to promote the use of the existing greenway, and are working to connect it to Blue Ridge Community College. Their members include the Blue Ridge Bicycle Club, Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy, Friends of the Ecusta Trail, MountainTrue, the League of Women Voters of Henderson County, and representatives from the community at large.
For more information about “Walks and Talks Along the Greenway” contact Jack Robinson, Friends of Oklawaha Greenway, at 828-335-2479 or jackrobinsonmerida@gmail.com.
Before you comment
The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.