There will be two meetings discussing the plans and introducing how to provide feedback with our new online survey.  The two meetings will be the same, there is no need to attend both. The virtual meeting times are:

• Wednesday, August 25, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. (This meeting will be recorded and posted with the survey on the Close the GAP project page for anyone who wants to listen at their convenience) Meeting link

• Friday, August 27, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Meeting link 

Additionally, the Transportation Department would like to meet with neighborhood groups to discuss what the GAP Plans can do for you and hear your comments. Please contact Lucy Crown at lcrown@ashevillenc.gov to find out more information about the plans and to organize a time to meet with your neighborhood. 

“People ask me why it is so important to provide feedback for a plan that doesn’t directly lead to construction,” said Lucy Crown, the Greenway Planner for the City of Asheville, “Master Plans are guiding documents that help staff in the Transportation Department organize, prioritize and queue projects up for construction. If you would like better pedestrian facilities in your neighborhood, it is important to get it on the master plan now. If a project is not in the master plan, it is unlikely to be constructed. It is really important for staff to know what desires and concerns neighborhoods have regarding their transportation needs. YOU know more about your neighborhood streets and walking than anyone else, that is why it is so important we hear from you!”  

Find a copy of this press release on Asheville City Source.

Close the GAP Survey Now Open

The planning process, known as the Close the GAP, will identify a network of the pedestrian, greenway, and accessibility networks for our community as well as programs and policies to support it. The City of Asheville combined these plans because the pedestrian network will be a stronger one if the three aspects: Greenways, ADA transitions, and Pedestrian networks are planned at the same time.

Asheville residents are encouraged to take the Close the GAP survey to provide ideas and input for the street and greenway plan updates. The survey is now available to take online here.

The post Residents invited to virtual meetings on Asheville greenway and pedestrian master plans this week; survey to open too appeared first on Asheville On Bikes.

What is Asheville’s greenway plan?

The City of Asheville’s greenway planning process, called the “Close the GAP” project, combines 3 plans: the City’s Greenway Plan (G), its ADA Transition Plan (A), and its Pedestrian Plan (P). The main goal of Close the GAP is to better understand who uses our community’s greenways & sidewalks and why in order to update & expand our pedestrian network. 

Why do we need your help?

Greenways and sidewalks are integral to a community’s connectivity, health, equity, and overall livability. In order to help City officials enhance Asheville’s pedestrian network, it’s important that residents are given the opportunity to provide their input. To do this, we need your help surveying Asheville’s greenway users. 

What does this volunteer position entail?

As a volunteer, you will help conduct greenway user interviews at the Wilma Dykeman Greenway in Asheville’s River Arts District and at the Reed Creek Greenway near UNC Asheville’s Botanical Gardens on August 10 and 14. In the event of bad weather, our makeup dates are August 17 and 21. You can help out by volunteering for a 2-hour shift on one or both of these days at either location. 

As a volunteer, you agree to:

• Encourage greenway users to complete the survey.
• Dress in comfortable clothes and bring the water & snacks you may need.
• Wear a mask if asked to do so. We will provide disposable masks.

How do I sign up to volunteer?

To learn more and sign up for a volunteer slot, visit https://bit.ly/GreenwayInterview or contact Linda Giltz at lindagiltz@gmail.com.

Please share this volunteer opportunity and information about Close the GAP with your friends, organizations, and others. Thank you for being a valued community member and greenway supporter!

The post Call for Volunteers—Help Update Asheville’s Greenway Plan! appeared first on Asheville On Bikes.