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Main Sections of Website
The Liza's Reef Project
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RiverLink is a regional non-profit organization spearheading the economic and environmental revitalization of the French Broad River and its tributaries as a place to work, live and play. It was born in 1987 of simultaneous efforts to address water quality concerns throughout the French Broad River basin, expand public opportunities for access and recreation, and spearhead the economic revitalization of Asheville's dilapidated riverfront district. RiverLink focuses on related issues that directly impact the environmental health of Western North Carolina's rivers and streams and the growth and sustainability of its economy.
The work of RiverLink has been implemented in three main stages. In Stage 1, the purpose of RiverLink was to develop vision as to what the Asheville Riverfront could become and to work on water quality throughout the four counties, Buncombe, Henderson, Madison and Transylvania, that the French Broad River passes through in North Carolina. The Riverfront Plan and Open Space Design Guidelines were developed in this phase, and the WWIN (Volunteer Water Information Network) with over 137 water test sites was established. The main focus on promotional efforts were to remind people that Asheville had a river running through it using bus tours of the riverfront, Sunset Cruises (float trips on the French Broad), river clean-ups and other events and activities. In Stage 2, the purpose of RiverLink during this time was to create physical aspects of the plan and secure land for current and future needs. The French Broad River Park, with over one mile of greenway was established, and the expansion of the park was insured with the purchase of the nearby Asheville Motor Speedway for recreational, educational and amateur sporting activities. The development of the Ledges whitewater course was started as well as the promotion of commercial development with programs to encourage artists and craftspeople to move into the region with the purchase and renovation of Warehouse Studios and the Asheville Cotton Mill properties, as well as creating the River Stroll events, an arts studio program. In Stage 3, currently underway, the main goal of RiverLink is to encourage private development to invest in the riverfront, hopefully, adopting the design guidelines. The result will be that RiverLink's efforts and funds will be multiplied many times over.
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