Ecusta Trail Ribbon‑Cutting – July 18, 2025 – Hendersonville, NC
Today marked a milestone for Hendersonville and Western North Carolina as the first six‑mile segment of the Ecusta Trail officially opened with a festive ribbon‑cutting ceremony at the Hendersonville Welcome Center trailhead on Main Street. Hosted by Henderson County, the City of Hendersonville, Downtown Hendersonville, the Tourism Development Authority (TDA), and Friends of Ecusta Trail, the event celebrated connectivity, wellness, and outdoor adventure
Event Highlights & Schedule
- 2:00 PM – Opening Ceremony
The ribbon‑cutting kicked off with speeches from community leaders at the beautifully set‑up TDA Trailhead Pavilion on South Main Street - 3:00 PM – Ribbon‑Cutting Moment
Local dignitaries, volunteers, and trail advocates officially cut the ribbon at the bridge near Fresh Market. - 3:30 PM – Trail Opens to the Public
Participants were invited to walk, run, bike, or roll onto the paved trail and enjoy a full afternoon of festivities. Over 28 local organizations and vendors hosted booths and offered tastings, live music, and community engagement along the route.
Community & Local Business Involvement
The celebration featured a collaborative effort by local businesses and partners, including Trailside Brewing, Dry Falls Brewing Co., Ecusta Market & Café, Southern Streams CoffeeHouse, Crate Wine Market, Root + Bone, Packa’s Place, Guidon Brewing, Bryson City partners, and more.
Volunteers from groups like Bike Walk HVL, Conserving Carolina, Blue Ridge Bicycle Club, and trail ambassadors were on-site to guide attendees and underscore trail etiquette, including safety measures, bollards, and signage.
Trail Progress & Next Steps
- Construction of the first 6‑mile segment is on track despite early delays from Hurricane Helene in 2024.
- Safety enhancements—intersection striping, flashing beacons, signage, and barrier placement—are in place or nearing completion.
- Amenities like trash receptacles, restrooms, and extra parking (e.g., Lenox Station gravel lot) are planned for upcoming phases.
- A Memorandum of Understanding between Henderson County, Hendersonville, Laurel Park, and Friends of Ecusta Trail finalizes shared trail responsibilities.
What the Trail Offers Today
This newly opened stretch provides a wide, paved, ADA‑friendly linear park that runs west from downtown Hendersonville through woodlands, bamboo thickets, pastures, and alongside Shaw Creek—with scenic views of Mount Pisgah—ending at The Crossroads in Horse Shoe.
It connects riders and pedestrians to coffee shops, breweries, cafes, restaurants, fitness spots, and gem mines—creating a vibrant community pathway and tourism magnet .
Looking Ahead: A Path to Brevard and Beyond
This segment is just the beginning of a planned 19‑mile trail stretching from Hendersonville all the way to Brevard—and linking into a regional greenway network.
Thanks to a massive 2023 RAISE federal grant ($24.5 M) and state/local funding, the full trail will further connect communities like Etowah, Horseshoe, Penrose, Pisgah Forest, and more.
Future expansions include more amenities, signage, and improved public access points—from the Welcome Center to Horseshoe and ultimately onto Brevard.
Closing Reflections
Today’s ribbon‑cutting wasn’t just a ceremony—it was a celebration of years of vision, investment, and community spirit. For Hendersonville residents and visitors alike, the first phase of the Ecusta Trail offers an immediate gateway to health, connectivity, and local adventure. Here’s to the first six paved miles—and many more to come!
📅 Trail Snapshot
- Where: Hendersonville Welcome Center Trailhead, 201 S Main St
- When: July 18, 2025 – Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting at 3:00 PM
- What now: Open to walking, running, cycling, and rolling. Be part of history and enjoy this new community gem!
If you’d like to volunteer, join future events, or share your trail experience, the trail’s advocacy partners—Conserving Carolina, Friends of Ecusta Trail, Bike Walk HVL, and Blue Ridge Bicycle Club—welcome you!
Let’s roll!
