Richmond Hill Woods City Park

2006-12-28T13:02:00.000-08:00

2006-12-28T12:59:00.000-08:00

Runoff from clear-cut

2006-12-28T12:57:00.000-08:00

More of the old course

2006-12-28T12:54:00.000-08:00

The old disk golf course. What a waste of a unique city park and beautiful forest.

2006-12-18T07:24:00.000-08:00

This is the Smith Creek Tributary. It has been impacted by sediment runoff from the construction at the new parking lot upstream, and from the use of heavy equipment on the trail. This is part of the upper reach.

2006-12-18T07:23:00.001-08:00

There is close to its confluence with Smith Creek. Note the 5 inches of sediment (orange) on top of the wetland soil (dark gray). This tributary needs a restoration plan so its beauty and diversity can flourish.

2006-12-18T07:23:00.000-08:00

This is where the tributary joins Smith Creek, yes the bright orange. If you look in Smith Creek you can see how much sediment has accumulated since the leaves feel off the trees. The sediment has come from this tributary, but more has come from upstream towards, the Armory site, which has been clear-cut.

2006-12-18T07:13:00.000-08:00

This wetland in the park is begining to fill up, the cold nights have kept it frozen and quiet. The pond will fill further assuming we get some rain this winter.

2006-12-18T07:09:00.000-08:00

Lycopodium or more commonly known as Running Cedar or Creeping Pine, grows slowly and the mats of it creeping across are the forest floor are truly beautiful, especially with the contrast of fresh snow

Recomendations for Advisory Council and Legal Protection

2006-12-13T14:04:00.000-08:00

<>Dr. Hauser's recommendations:

" Most park districts use some type of ecological - environmental advisory committee so as to evaluate unique natural resources and offer advise on matters of environmental stewardship." "Such committees consist of 5-7 scientists who are familiar with the ecology and environmental biology of a given ecoregion."

"The ecologically sensitive wetland communities and upland core habitat they interface with should be protected and preserved by the use of deed restrictions or conservation easements. These should be established in perpetuity."

Our city's Parks and Recreation departments does not have this type of committee, but will hopefully develop one to address the ecological needs of Richmond Hill and future Parks

Building multiuse trails, for hiking, nature watching, and jogging are in the works, and will be important parts of park development.

Many of these ecological concerns should have been addressed months/ years ago, and a committee like this would have saved time and money..

I'm excited about the park opening again, and the spring wildflowers will be blooming before you know it. Volunteers will be needed to help bring the park together, build trails and make signs.

Thank you everyone for you help and support. We have a great forested parkwithin our city, with beauty and diversity that makes its an "ecological gem". I hope to see you in the park when it opens.

Ecological Value of Richmond Hill Park Confirmed

2006-12-13T13:38:00.000-08:00

Over the last month there have been major changes in the plans for Richmond Hill Park, two public input meeting and a wetland assessment by the Dr. Hauser, a well respect wetland scientist

Below are a few quotes from his report:

In reference to buffer zone, or core habitat around the wetland with marble salamanders, fairy shrimp, and the over all quality of the Richmond Hill Forest :

"Furthermore, he [Dr. Petranka] recommends a 600' wide core habitat area around all of the wetlands. I [Dr. Hauser] and the scientific literature and research supports the validity of this recommendation."

"The establishment and presence of these species [wetland plants and animals], indicates an ecological succession and community development that began and was consummated eons of geologic time ago, certainly before the arrival of non-indigenous humans more than three centuries ago."

"The interrelated and interdependent combination of wetlands and uplands at Richmond Hills Park and biodiversity of known species would generate a score of 10 [0 (poorest quality) to 10 (highest quality)], using any type or derivation of the Swink Index! Thus, it is a unique ecological gem that is most worthy of preservation and protection."

"The Richmond Hills Park contains very high quality upland and wetland ecological communities that support many animal and plant species that are locally endemic to our Southern Appalachian Mountains"

I hope that this helps clarify why this park is so valuable for our city to protect in perpetuity.

Park Tour and Input Session

2006-10-05T21:09:00.000-07:00

Public Meeting #1: October 8, 2:00 pm, Richmond Hill Park

The meeting will open with a guided tour of the disc golf course led by the WNCDGC. The tour will be followed by the public input session. Input will be used to revise the existing design plan for the course as needed.

Public Meeting #2: October 16, 6:00 pm, Public Works Building, Room A109, 161 S. Charlotte St.

WNCDGC will present any revisions to the disc golf course design for pubic review and input in preparation for the City Council presentation on November 14.

Council Vote

2006-09-14T09:16:00.000-07:00

I want to let everyone know, council has listened to the people and taken the plans for ball fields out of Richmond Hill Park!

In 5-2 vote, Ball fields were removed from the plans and alternative locations for the fields will be pursued. This is great, not only will this great city forest be preserved, but more appropriate locations for ball fields will make accessibility for NALL families easier and safer.

I hope that the park can open soon so we can all enjoy the beauty this park holds.

The disc golf course will go through a public process to ensure input and environmental sensitivity, but I hope that it will open ASAP. With the ball fields removed from the plan more suitable land has been opened up allowing more variation in the course and ensure an environmentally responsible course.

Thank you all for you hard work and your support. I hope to see you all in the park as soon as it opens.

I see a bright future for this forest, as a place for education, recreation, and conservation

Thank you again

James Wood

Richmond Hill on City Council Agenda

2006-09-08T12:26:00.000-07:00

Regular Meeting � September 12, 2006 - 5:00 p.m.
City Hall Building
Council Chamber , 2ed floor

AGENDA

The Recent events in Richmond Hill will be discussed and public comment will be heard!
I urge you to show your support for saving this City Treasure!!

!!NO BALLFIELDS IN OUR CITY's LARGEST FOREST!!

!!SAVE RICHMOND HILL PARK!!

2006-08-25T07:20:00.000-07:00

more erosion from construction

2006-08-24T17:04:00.000-07:00

This is the creek that feeds the wetland with both the regionally rare marble salamander, and the newly found in North Carolina, eastern fairy shrimp (Eubranchipus holmani) this is the only place that it is known in NC, note no silt net on the bank

2006-08-24T16:44:00.000-07:00

Arrowhead is a wetland only plant. Note the massive amounts of sediment that washed in from the construction hundreds of yards up uphill.

2006-08-22T21:11:00.000-07:00

More preventable runoff

2006-08-22T20:58:00.000-07:00

The view of the park from the end of Richmond Hill Drive. 7 acres of bare dirt

2006-08-22T20:56:00.000-07:00

The forest floor has been choked by runoff from the construction area. Further downhill in this drainage is a small wetland that has been choked with silt.

2006-08-22T20:39:00.000-07:00

Smith Creek flowing a dirty brown because of the failure of the silt nets in the construction area

2006-08-22T20:38:00.000-07:00

A wetland in the park silted in because of the failure of the silt nets in the construction area hundreds of yards uphill

2006-08-22T18:16:00.001-07:00

More sediment laden runoff to choke the streams and kill wildlife

2006-08-22T18:16:00.000-07:00

More failing silt nets

2006-08-22T18:15:00.000-07:00

Smith Creek and the French Braod are the same color

2006-08-22T18:14:00.001-07:00

More failing silt nets

2006-08-22T18:14:00.000-07:00

The runoff

2006-08-22T18:13:00.001-07:00

Failing silt net

2006-08-22T18:13:00.000-07:00

Day light under silt fence

2006-05-29T14:48:00.000-07:00

A stump from the tree that was once were Asheville' Largest Forest. This is your city park that is being abused.

2006-05-29T14:46:00.001-07:00

Another stump from Ricmond Hill Park

2006-05-29T14:46:00.000-07:00

Another stump from Richmond Hill Park

2006-05-29T14:45:00.000-07:00

This is what happens when you drive bobcats and bulldozers around in a forest. It destroys everything, and causes erosion.

2006-05-29T14:43:00.000-07:00

Notice the large white pine logs stacked up for timer. The following quote is from parks and recreation's presentation to the city tree commission.

"Our Findings

Virginia pine volunteer trees cover most of project area.
White pine under story.
Timber quality is low."

It looks like the city failed to tell the whole truth about what trees that would be cut down in the park. And don't forget about the oaks, and the other hardwood trees like hickories and sourwoods that are also getting cut down. No mention of them in the report.

2006-05-29T14:38:00.000-07:00

Those dont look like understory tree's to me.

2006-05-29T14:31:00.000-07:00

Can you say erosion? NO plants let to hold the soil in place, and a steep slope. EROSION!

2006-05-29T14:29:00.000-07:00

More passive use

2006-05-29T14:28:00.000-07:00

More of Parks and Recreation trashing the once beautiful forest of Richmond Hill.

2006-05-29T14:27:00.000-07:00

This "passive" use has destroyed this part of the forest. The soil is ripped up, and all the smaller trees and shrubs have been killed!

Sig the Petition, and Read Other Peoples Comments

2006-05-27T20:38:00.000-07:00

PETITION LINK (CLICK HERE)

Sign the Petition and Read Peoples Comments About This Important Issue

2006-05-24T06:55:00.000-07:00

This old gnarled oak houses a wild bee's nest, benefiting the ecology of the park. This white oak is roughly 200 years old, but our city wants to cut it down to make way for a parking lot. Where is our city's environmental ethic and stewardship that it says it has?

Please help save these old and majestic oak trees in Asheville's largest forest, Richmond Hill Park.

2006-05-24T06:51:00.000-07:00

Will our city save this large oak from being cut down to make way for a parking lot?

2006-05-24T06:50:00.000-07:00

Just a few days ago you could hear the song of warbles, vireos, and scarlet tanagers, now there is an eerie silence. Native wildlife has been displaced from Asheville's largest forest.

2006-05-24T06:45:00.000-07:00

This is what the forest use to look like, green and lush. Native wildflowers, and understory trees are essential to forest ecosystem. These ecosystems are fragile and sensitive to impacts. A few days after this picture was taken, this area was cleared with bobcats and bushhogs.

2006-05-24T06:41:00.000-07:00

More passive land use by the city

2006-05-24T06:39:00.000-07:00

When the soil is ripped up like this, erosion comes quickly and easily. The network of roots and the thick layer of leaves that keep erosion from happening have been destroyed. Cranefly orchids, and mayapple use to grow here.

2006-05-24T06:35:00.000-07:00

This doesn't look like passive activity to me. I don't oppose disc golf, but it is easy to see that it is not environmentally passive like the city says.

2006-05-24T06:32:00.000-07:00

From construction in the park. Erosion will likely be a serious issue as the slope is steep and the soil is ripped up, and the plant life cleared away. Water will run downhill, and carry soil with it.

2006-05-24T06:27:00.000-07:00

This is from the construction of the new disc golf course. This is what the city called a passive use of the land. This hillside and valley use to be covered with wild flowers like galax, flame azalea, wild orchids. Now everything less than 4" in diameter has been cut down and bulldozed. Many of the trees that were cut down were flowering dog woods, an important understory tree for wildlife.

2006-05-02T22:01:00.000-07:00

Flame Azalea in inbloom in Asheville's Largest Forest. (5/2/06)

2006-05-02T21:58:00.000-07:00

The wetland Loop, Mayapples line the trail. (5/2/06)

2006-05-02T21:57:00.000-07:00

Southern Nodding Trillium, and a wild geranium, and an old stump along the wetland loop of Richmond Hill Park. Photo taken 5/2/06

2006-05-02T21:52:00.000-07:00

Dwarf Crested Iris (5/2/06)

2006-05-02T21:51:00.000-07:00

Southern Nodding Trillium in Richmond Hill Park. This species is on NC's watch list. (Photo taken 5/2/06)

2006-05-02T21:49:00.000-07:00

A jogger enjoying the cool breeze of the Park. This area is planed to become a parking lot, and ball fields. (Photo taken 5/2/06)

2006-05-02T21:48:00.000-07:00

Pileated Woodpecker in Rihcmond Hill Park, I saw another one a little while later on my walk. Picture taken (5/2/06)

Friday May 5th, Free Music for a Good Cause

2006-05-02T21:42:00.000-07:00

ROCK THE QUAD !!!

TO SAVE

RICHMOND HILL PARK!!!
ASHEVILLE’S LARGEST FOREST NEEDS YOU TO Rock Out TO FREE MUSIC!

Come show your support for protecting Asheville's Largest Forest with live music, pictures from Richmond Hill Park, and a petition to protect this awesome city Treasure.

Free Live Music!

Featuring: Jen and the Juice

Kate McNally

DASHVARA

Kampen Anderson

Friday May 5th, 5:00pm to 10:00pm on UNCA's Quad in front of the Library.

Rain location - Alumni Hall in Highsmith

Help make Asheville a greener more livable city by preserving this irreplaceable city park.

Join the hundreds of other city residents in honoring the vision that saves this unique and amazing city park for people, wildlife and future generations.

Richmond Hill Park offers hiking, biking, disc golf, bird watching and more!

Visit http://www.richmondhillwoods.blogspot.com/ for more information

A short list of the birds in Richmond Hill Park

2006-04-27T08:35:00.000-07:00

Here is a short list of bird species that can be found in Richmond Hill Park. This is just the begining of the neotropical song bird migrations, so more species are arriving daily. Come check them out, Richmond Hill Park is perhaps the best place to go birdwatching in the city.

I will try to post some pictures of these birds in a few days

Pileated woodpecker

Red-bellied woodpecker

Hairy woodpecker

Downy woodpecker

Blue-headed vireo

Yellow-throated vireo

Blue jay

American crow

Tufted titmouse

Carolina chickadee

White-breasted nuthatch

Carolina wren

Wood thrush

Golden-crowned kinglet

Ruby-crowned kinglet

Blue-gray gnatcatcher

Yellow-rumped warbler

Black-and-white warbler

American redstart

Ovenbird

Hooded warbler

Chestnut-sided warbler

Pine warbler

Scarlet tanager

Northern cardinal

Eastern towhee

Song sparrow

American Goldfinch

Thank you for you help in compiling this Dr. Petranka

Hike on 4/20/06

2006-04-27T08:29:00.000-07:00

Our hike on Thursday went great, but was a little rushed due to the weather. We did however see lots of beautiful plants and flowers. Below is a short list of what we saw.

Species observed on nature walk (April 20, 2006)

Fern and fern allies

Lycopodium lucidulum shiny clubmoss

Diphasiastrum digitatum southern running pine

Athyrium asplenioides Southern lady fern

Onoclea sensibilis Sensitive Fern

Polystichum acrostichoides Christmas Fern

Dennstaedtia punctilobula Hay-scented fern

Asplenium platyneuron Ebony spleenwort

Flowering plants

P. pubescens Solomon’s Seal

Smilacina racemosa False Solomon's Seal

Trillium rugelii Southern Nodding Trillium

Uvularia puberula Mountain bellwort

Iris cristata Crested dwarf iris

Goodyera pubescens Downy Rattlesnake Plantain

Tipularia discolor Cranefly orchid

Stellaria pubera Giant Chickweed

Claytonia virginica Spring beauty

Thalictrum thalictroides Rue Anemone

Podophyllum peltatum Mayapple

Sanguinaria canadensis Bloodroot

Calycanthus floridus Sweetshrub

Geranium maculatum Wild Geranium

Viola sororia Common blue violet

Chimophila maculata Spotted Wintergreen, Pipsissewa

Epigaea repens Trailing arbutus

R. calendulaceum Flame Azalea

R. maximum Rosebay, Great Laurel

Galax aphylla Galax

Phlox stolonifera Creeping Phlox

Thank you Dr. Petranka for helping to ID all these wonderful flowers in Asheville largest forest.. This is far from a comprehensive list of the plants in this forest.

Article from the UNCA Blue Banner

2006-04-27T08:26:00.000-07:00

Students develop plan to save park

By Kristen Marshall - Staff Writer

SHANNA ARNEY - STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

James Wood, senior environmental science student, lives in the neighborhood surrounding Richmond Hill Park. Wood has developed a plan to save the 30 to 35 acre park that the city plans to build a National Guard Armory, three baseball fields and a soccer field

Richmond Hill Park is a 183-acre natural forest with hiking and mountain biking trails and a disc golf course. City plans threaten to destroy the balance created by Asheville’s largest wooded green space.

“Our city has a real deficit of natural areas as parks,” said James Wood, senior environmental science student. “What we’re trying to do is provide a better vision for future development in our city.”

Wood, who lives in the neighborhood surrounded by the park, heads up the group to develop new plans that won’t destroy 30 to 35 acres of the park. Currently, the city plans to build a National Guard Armory, three baseball fields and a soccer field in the park, which means clear cutting and leveling the trees and hills.

Wood wants to locate the baseball fields along Riverside Drive as part of the French Broad Greenway Project, which turns all of the riverfront property into parks and green space.

“We’re trying to put the ball field development alongside the river so that the players can get their fields and the city can preserve its largest urban forest,” Wood said.

There are currently 14 parks in Asheville with ball fields, according to the Asheville Parks and Recreational Department.

“To make a baseball field, it requires that they clear cut this huge area of forest and park that can co-exist with nature,” said Max Hartford, freshman student. “We have enough baseball fields.”

The Richmond Hill Park is most commonly known to students as the park with the disc golf course.

“It’s a really fun course,” said Nathan Watkins, junior management student. “It’s easy to navigate if you’ve never been there, and the park is really beautiful.”

Richmond Hill Park offers more than just disc golf, with a wide array of activities, including hiking, jogging, bird watching and mountain biking, most of which Wood himself participates in.

“I live in the neighborhood that will become the main entrance to the park,” Wood said. “One of the biggest problems is that the city has never really told people about this park, and the only people who really know about it are the disc golfers, and most of them didn’t even know the park extends down to the French Broad River.”

SHANNA ARNEY - STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Wood and his team along with other local environmental organizations continue to literally fight city hall, pushing for new development plans that will cause less of an impact.

“There’s no guarantee that the construction won’t have environmental impacts. It will. You can’t get around it,” Wood said. “Clearing part of the forest will effect climate and humidity and introduce invasive exotic species. There’s a lot of environmental stuff that’s sort of complicated that goes along with it.”

The main goal is to keep the park natural and to accommodate everyone’s needs, according to Wood.

“If we can address the need for baseball fields in a way that is already planned out by the city and really benefits the city, then that’s what we’re going to do,” Wood said.

As the city continues to grow, green space will always be a causality. Wood wants to ensure the longevity of the park because he knows how important it is to the economy and ecology.

“This park is unique and irreplaceable and an asset to the city,” Wood said. “Our city simply doesn’t have another place that offers the same recreational or environmental opportunities as this park does. It’s a whole nature experience with a really diverse ecology. It’s a great park, and we don’t have another place like it.”

To find out more about Richmond Hill Park meet James Wood on the Breezeway on April 20 at 4:30 for a hike.

Rare species found, will our city respond with strong environmental stewardship? or something less?

2006-04-17T16:07:00.000-07:00

April 14, 2006

To whom it may concern:

I examined the EIS for the Richmond Hills Park development and found
the biotic component to be grossly inadequate. The report appears to
rely almost entirely on records from the Natural Heritage database,
which are widely acknowledged as being unreliable for assessing the
biota of small isolated sites such as Richmond Hills that have rarely,
if ever, been visited by trained field biologists. As mentioned in a
previous correspondence, Richmond Hills Park contains two seasonal
ponds that provide critical habitat for rare vertebrates and
invertebrates. The inadequacy of the biotic component of the EIS is
obvious, since the authors apparently were not even aware of the
existence of seasonal ponds on site, and made no attempt to survey the
flora and fauna to determine if rare species are present.
I made a single visit to the site in winter 2006 and found two
regionally rare species, the marbled salamander (Ambystoma opacum) and
the eastern fairy shrimp (Eubranchipus holmanii). The marbled
salamander was probably common in the Blue Ridge of western North
Carolina before the wholesale destruction of seasonal wetlands in the
mountains. This species is currently at risk of regional extinction
from the Blue Ridge, where only three remaining populations are known.
The Richmond Hills population constitutes the fourth.
The eastern fairy shrimp is extremely rare in North Carolina. The
North Carolina Museum has no records of this species for the state and
I have been unable to find any records elsewhere, such as in the
Smithsonian collection, USFWS records, or the Natural Heritage database
for North Carolina. Based on correspondence with Joan Jass (Milwaukee
Public Museum), who recently completed an atlas of county and state
records for fairy shrimp in the US, this appear to be the only known
population of the eastern fairy shrimp in North Carolina. A
comprehensive survey of plants and animals on site will likely yield
other regionally rare or unique species. For example, the southern
nodding trillium (Trillium rugelii) was observed on site. This is a
rare regional endemic that is on the North Carolina watch list.
Numerous scientific studies indicate that seasonal pond communities
are highly sensitive to disturbance within watersheds. Amphibians such
as ambystomatid salamanders and wood frogs require large forested
buffers to maintain adult populations outside of the breeding season.
In addition, disturbances in the upper watersheds from timbering, road
construction, and urbanization can result in the long-term degradation
of seasonal ponds. Estimates are that watershed disturbance that is as
far as one-half to one mile from ponds will ultimately degrade pond
habitats.
The City Council is aware of the need to consider a watershed as a
single functional ecosystem that entails both the forested watershed
and the associated drainage systems. They are also fully aware of the
fact that disturbances in the upper watershed may ultimately affect the
quality of water resources below. This is the basis for providing full
protection for the Asheville watershed. The proposed construction
activities at Richmond Hills will in all likelihood have long-term
adverse effects on seasonal pond communities on site due to altered
hydrology, the loss of forest, compaction of soils from human traffic
(golf course), the input of nutrients from fertilizers applies to ball
fields, and the input of chemical pollutants from automobiles (e.g.,
oil that leaks from engines). These habitats will be best protected by
maintaining the park as a nature preserve or for other low-impact uses
such as environmental education. With an active program to control
exotic invasive plants on site, and limited forest management to
improve stand quality, the site could fulfill the duel role of
protecting rare ecological communities and providing a large green
space and nature preserve for future generations to enjoy. I encourage
the City Council, Parks and Recreation, and other interested parties to
aggressively pursue an alternative site for construction of ball fields
and other needs. At the very least, a comprehensive inventory of the
flora and fauna of the site is in order before any decision is made
concerning future development. Respectfully, Jim Petranka (Professor
of Biology, UNC-Asheville).

James W. Petranka
Department of Biology

Thoughts on Richmond Hill Park, By Dr. David Clarke

2006-04-17T16:03:00.000-07:00

To: Asheville Parks and Recreation Department

From: David Clarke, Biology Department, UNCA

Re: Richmond Hills

Date: 12 April 2006

We can all agree that a priority should be placed on providing opportunities for outdoor recreation to members of our community. Further, while it may be difficult for the city of Asheville to acquire the funding necessary to provide the infrastructure necessary to provide adequate outdoor recreation in the form of organized, team sports, Asheville is blessed with natural areas that provide abundant opportunities for other, more individual forms of outdoor recreation. Clearly, decision makers should be looking for ways to enhance both forms of outdoor recreation without diminishing opportunities for either form of recreation. I have reviewed the environmental impact assessment of plans to build an armory and ball fields in the Richmond Hill Woods and believe that this project will seriously degrade the natural features of this site and limit opportunities for outdoor recreation that are compatible with maintaining the ecological integrity of this area. While partially degraded by infestation with exotic invasive species, siltation of creeks, and previous deforestation, the Richmond Hill site has all the elements of a recovering high quality natural area representative of our southern mountains. It is especially unique as it is the only intact natural area in the city that forms an natural gradient between the French Broad River and surrounding upland areas. Canopy and understory trees, shrubs, and herbs are native and representative of what should be expected in a natural community at that elevation. Preserving regenerated habitats such as these are an essential component of good land stewardship as the city executes its obligations as a responsible land manager. Preserving these habitats is an important service to the community as development and habitat degradation reduce the amount of habitat preserved elsewhere, particularly the low elevation and riparian areas that are found in Richmond Hill area as these are the areas most threatened by development and habitat destruction in our region. While some may argue that, since the white pine (Pinus strobus) is not native to the area, removing it and developing the area does not degrade the natural area. I would counter that argument by stating that the pines are an important place-holder in the forest, occupying a space in the canopy until replaced by native hardwoods such as white oak and black gum. The pines are not reproducing. With the pines, exotic invasive species are shaded out of the forest and the area will slowly recover and gain a diversity of native species. If the area where the pines grow is converted to paved and built space, or open space, then an important component of the forest is lost and the remaining forest is exposed to more edge effect. Leaving a legacy of restored natural communities in Asheville is an idea that I would like to promote. How can permanent protection be achieved for this area?

2006-04-06T19:43:00.000-07:00

A pretty view of the Carolina Blue sky from the park, in a few weeks the forest will shades of bright green, and the new leaves on the trees will cast dappleding sunlight onto the forest floor.

2006-04-06T19:38:00.000-07:00

The mixed hardwoods and pines of Richmond Hill Park. When the hot days of summer set in, Richmond Hill Park provides cool retreat, to jog or go bird watching.

2006-04-06T19:33:00.000-07:00

Known as Running Cedar or Running Juniper, this small attractive everygreen goundcover is sensitive to foot traffic, and steeping on will kill it. Protecting this park is more then just having trees left, we need to protect the beauty and diversity this park offers for everyone to enjoy.

2006-04-06T19:28:00.000-07:00

The cool waters of Smith Creek. Not only does this creek provide a relaxing girggle, and a scenic view, it also can be use to help local high school studens study water quality, and aquatic ecosystems.

2006-04-06T19:25:00.000-07:00

Small white flowers brighten the understory in Asheville's largest urban forest, a sure sign that spring is here. Watch for spring flowers all through the park!

2006-04-04T21:31:00.000-07:00

This rhododendron will have large white clusters of flower in a few months. This picture was taken this winter, but the park was still green with ferns, rhododendron, running cedar, hemlocks and more.

2006-04-04T21:22:00.000-07:00

Mountain biker on the trails in the park.

2006-04-04T21:19:00.000-07:00

Hikers on Smith Creek Trail, enjoying the city's largest urban forest.

Thoughts about the open house, 3/23/06

2006-03-25T10:52:00.000-08:00

I would like to thank everyone, those who came out to see the plans for the park and those who were unable to but would have liked to. I would also like to thank parks and recreation for sponsoring the event. I came away from the meeting with a good feeling. I think that we were able to voice our concerns about neighborhood traffic, the impact on the environment and the vision of the future development of our city and its greenspaces.

Asheville City government adopted plans for developed in 1989 that place athletic fields along riverside as part of the greenway link and riverfront redevelopment. It is also part of the Wilmia Dykeman plan. Check it out on Riverlink's home page its about 1/2 way down the page.

Asheville has no other park like Richmond Hill Park, and its worth SAVING

The forest of Richmond Hill Park when connected with the greenway will help Asheville shine as a city with smart growth, and give all of us a city that is livable and that we can be proud of.

We have furthered our relationship with parks and recreation and look forward to working with them on alternative locations for fields and the development of Richmond Hill park.

Ball fields located along Riverside Drive will provide better and safer access for North Asheville Little League players, further the Greenway project, and increase green space in the city while helping with flood control and bettering the environment.

As a city we are growing rapidly and we must protect our most unique places, and now is the to do so! Richmond Hill Park is no exception, as the city's largest forested park it provides unique recreational and educationally opportunities and is an asset the city. This park benefits city residents, visitors and local businesses.

It is important to keep this issue in the public's vision .

Please write letters to the editors of the local papers and contact city officials. Stay positive, we are working to build the Asheville we want to become, but it takes a strong vision and hard work.

I am confident that we can provide ball fields for North Asheville Little League while protecting this irreplaceable city treasure.

I believe that we are on the right path and making progress.

Tell the larger public how this park honors the vision of the future development of our city and its most unique green spaces.

Please take the time to look over the whole blogsite, December - present

Sign the petition and read the comments at
the petition site

Thank you for your time and energy
James Wood

2006-03-22T05:43:00.000-08:00

Running cedar and ferns are the nominate ground cover in many places in the park. These plants are sensitive to foot traffic, and provide a lush evergreen carpet for all park users to enjoy.

New mailing list, Stay Informed about the Park

2006-03-20T19:57:00.000-08:00

Join Save Richmond Hill Park's mailing list. Get meeting times, updates on the park and website. This is the best way to stay informed about the fate of an irreplaceable treasure of Asheville. Turning this unique and amazing wooded park in flat athletic fields is not in the city's or the environments best interest.

Stay informed and Help Save this City Treasure, for Asheville, wildlife and future generations!

Send emails to : saverichmondhillpark-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

There are better places for these fields!

Parks and Recreation lauch their own web site

2006-03-20T19:36:00.000-08:00

Parks and Recreation just launched their own website. They do their best to sugar coat the 1/4 million cubic yards of soil (which is HUGE) they will have to move and the 30+ acres of wooded park that will be cleared and leveled, lost forever. But they can't hide the fact that there are better places for flat ball fields.

Asheville Parks and Recreation, Richmond Hill

We are working on identify alternative locations that are more suitable for such fields, and the funding opportunities that are available from state and federal agencies, such as FEMA.

Look at the time line; Approval of Timber Sale BEFORE the Environmental Assessment, how does that work? I always though you had to find out what to protect, then develop your plans around that!

Also the armory shown on their map is not quite the full truth. Plans submitted by the armory (2/24/06) have an addition 7,500 sq/ ft "Field Maintenance Shop" located in the "Tree save area on their map" planed for future construction. This makes the impact look much smaller than it is, just like the way that they split the plans between the armory and the ball complex. They only tell you one little bit at a time making their plans look more benign than they really are, masking the real impact that they will have on the environment and the neighborhood.

The ball fields now have 200 parking spaces, up from the 140, and while it looks like a smaller impact on their map, the disturbance zone is still 20-25 acres, plus the armory.

Upcomming Meeting about the Richmond Hill Park

2006-03-18T15:35:00.000-08:00

Monday, March 20 at 2:oopm at City Hall : Technical Review Committee

This meeting is to review the changes that were made to the armory, by the armory, to the plans that were approved by city council in 2003. Please come and voice concerns over the current plans for Richmond Hill Park, and the location of National Guard Armory in the cities most unique park. Support Richmond Hill residents in protecting their neighborhood from dangerous and disruptive increases in traffic caused by these shortsighted plans.

Thursday, March 23, 5-8pm at the Buncombe County School Administrative Building at 175 Bingham Road
Come voice you concerns and comment on the Parks and Recreations plans to gut Richmond Hill Park. These plans will cause irreparable damage to the city's most unique and exceptional park! These effects on the city's largest forest will be severe! Help protect this amazing city park from these shortsighted plans.

Link to SAVE Richmond Hill Park Petition

2006-03-17T18:55:00.000-08:00

SAVE RICHMOND HILL WOODS PETITION LINK

Please sign the petition, and send it to someone else who thinks that it is important to SAVE ASHEVILLE's LARGEST and MOST UNIQUE CITY PARK

These woods are amazing and irreplaceable, don' t let Asheville waste this city Treasure.

2006-03-17T18:43:00.000-08:00

The view from one of the many trails in this exceptional city park.

2006-03-17T18:40:00.000-08:00

Asheville's most unique City Park. Irreplaceable and a treasure of the City of Asheville.

2006-03-17T18:34:00.000-08:00

One of the many large white oaks in this park. This one, like othes, is in the cut and fill zone.

2006-03-17T18:29:00.000-08:00

In the last few nights the spotted salamanders of Richmond Hill Park have come out to lay eggs masses. These salamanders burrow in the ground during the day, and after the right spring rain, they mate. The male lays a spermatphore on the ground and the female chooses one, picks it up, and with it fertilizes her eggs.
Picture from www.herp-pix.org

How YOU can help SAVE this UNIQUE WOODED PARK

2006-03-17T17:56:00.000-08:00

How can you get help save Asheville largest park?

1.) Look over this whole Blog, there a lot here
2.) Write city council, the city manager, parks and recreation, the mayor (info below), also tell your neighbor
2.) Write letter to local papers, Asheville Citizen Times, Mountain Express, and any other papers saying you support the vision of Asheville keeping this irreplaceable wooded park intact and in a natural state.
3.) You support park development that works with the landscape, recreation activities already on site, and wildlife.
4.) You think Ashville can find a better place for Ball fields for North Asheville Little League
5.) The current plans will create severe traffic problems for the residents of Richmond Hill
6.) A large wooded park like this is good for local businesses and tourism
7.) Everyone needs a place to go take a quiet walk in the woods

2006-03-17T17:54:00.000-08:00

The sun set next to the French Broad River in Richmond Hill Park

2006-03-17T17:51:00.000-08:00

These cranefly orchids leaves will die in the summer and be replaced with a stalk with a "twisted" flower.

2006-03-17T17:50:00.000-08:00

When these wildflowers bloom they will have pretty, fragrant flowers.

2006-03-17T17:48:00.000-08:00

Old white oak tree that is in the cut and fill zone. This tree is likey well over 100 years old.

Asheville Citizen-Time Guest Commentary (Tuesday 3-14-06)

2006-03-17T17:19:00.000-08:00

One of Asheville’s irreplaceable treasures is in jeopardy. At 183 acres Richmond Hill Park is Asheville’s largest wooded green space. The strength of this park is its size, with an extensive network of multi-use trails, gurgling creeks and springs, large trees and abundant wildlife.

Mature hardwoods, 100 to 200-plus-year-old white oaks, hickories, tulip poplars, sycamores, red and silver maples, red oaks, plus a rich understory of flowering and silky dogwood, eastern hemlocks, American beech, American hollies, sourwoods and black gums provide an escape from summer’s heat and beauty year around.

The groundcover is equally diverse and beautiful, with cranefly orchids, pink lady slipper and other wildflowers, running cedar, mosses, ferns, rhododendron, flame azaleas, mountain laurel, hearts a’bursting and more.

The extensive wetland complexes provide habitat for salamanders, frogs and turtles of tremendous variety. This park houses a rare type of seasonal wetland habitat that is critical for many amphibian species, with only 5 percent to 10 percent of these seasonal wetlands remaining in the Southern Appalachians.

The mixed hardwood/evergreen canopy provides a diverse and important habitat for birds including: eastern bluebirds, warblers, pileated woodpeckers, wild turkeys, woodcocks, migratory neotropical songbirds and numerous other species.

They all utilize this important continuous track of woods for food, shelter and/or breeding. Smith Creek and the French Broad River provide an important water source for wildlife as well as a scenic view for park visitors. The relaxing gurgle of a mountain stream can cut through the worst tensions of modern life.

This park already supports a diverse and rapidly growing number of users including disc golfers, mountain bikers, hikers, joggers, dog walkers, serenity seekers, naturalists and birdwatchers. This park is perfectly suited for low-impact outdoor activities, and the popularity of these woods is growing rapidly as word spreads. This park is used by hundreds of city residents and visitors each week and is the perfect setting for educational opportunities, giving our children a chance to learn from what we have protected.

Today this park is truly a valuable jewel in the crown of Asheville. City officials underestimate the value and popularity of this park to city residents and visitors. The park is now slated to have 20 percent, or 30-35 acres, cleared and leveled for four ball fields, one soccer field, concessions building and a 140-car parking lot, along with a new National Guard Armory. Also, the entrance to this ball complex will be through the quiet neighborhood of Richmond Hill, adding noise, pollution and peril to the neighborhoods’ children and residents as hundreds of extra cars come whizzing through.

I don’t oppose baseball, but it’s not difficult to see that this is simply not the place for ball fields. The impact will be severe and irreversible. Destroying such a large part of this unique and beautiful park is not in the city’s or the environment’s best interest. Parks and Recreation Department officials say that they will install storm water retention and other Best Management Practices (BMPs) to mitigate the increased runoff and erosion, but BMPs are a sorry substitute for conservation. While they say that the current uses of the park will continue, current park users will be relegated to a park drastically reduced in size and quality.

More appropriate places for ball fields are in areas already cleared, open or along the floodplain. Parks and Recreation could also work with schools in north Asheville to maintain and increase the availability existing baseball fields. If the city commits to finding an appropriate location for new fields, no one has to lose out in this situation. It doesn’t make sense for the city to destroy valuable green space when it is trying to create green space within the city. What would New York City be without Central Park?

In Asheville we are seeing our natural areas and scenic views developed at an astounding rate.

Please join with me, local conservation groups, small businesses and the hundreds of other city residents in supporting a vision for Asheville that honors the need to keep this unique and amazing park wooded and intact.

Please visit www.Richmond hillwoods.blogspot.com for trail maps, dates for public meetings, Web links; a petition and more information about this exceptional city park. I am asking you to tell City Council, Parks and Recreation and the city manager that it is important to preserve such an amazing city treasure intact, so the City of Asheville has this wooded park that it can be proud of.

James Wood is a student at UNC Asheville majoring in environmental science and biology. A resident of the Richmond Hill area of Asheville, he is a frequent park user. He has lived in Asheville for six years.

Armory Changes Plans and Traffic Flow, more impact on Neighborhood

2006-03-16T21:38:00.000-08:00

The plans for the new National Guard armory in Richmond Hill neighborhood have changed from that of what was presented to the Asheville City Council in 2003. Now the main and only entrance to the Armory is set for placement at the end of Richmond Hill Drive, instead of having an access to the armory through Richmond Hill Road. This new plan will in effect have a larger impact on the neighborhood as ALL PARK AND ARMORY TRAFFIC WILL HAVE TO TRAVEL THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF NEIGHBORHOOD.

It appears that residents of this neighborhood have not been notified of this change in plans for the development, but the city’s Technical Review Committee is scheduled to meet about this project’s final plans on Monday, March 20. The new plans were submitted to the Asheville Parks and Recreation Dept. on Feb. 24. I received my requested copy of the new plans last week, and today is the 17^th so time is running out!

We feel that the neighborhood has a right to publicly voice their concerns and comments about these new plans in a public forum, in front of city council and city officials, before these plans are approved by the TRC.

Tonight until 3/20 we are working on informing the neighborhood and attempting to halt the TRC’s currently scheduled review of this project in favor of a public comment session with city council and officials.

<>The Final Environmental Assessment of Asheville Armed Forces Reserve Center and Maintenance Shop, 11 July 2005states on page 10-11, section 4.2 " The ordinance specifies.... improvements of the intersection of Richmond Hill Drive and Pearson Bridge; side walks and traffic calming measures (e.g. speed bumps or traffic islands on Richmond Hill Drive)." These aspects need to be addressed before construction begins as (page 10 section 4.2) "use of the roads by medium and heavy trucks during construction" is underway.

We use Richmond Hill Drive as our neighborhood’s primary road. This road is used frequently by pedestrians; residents who push stroller walk pets, and park cars along the curb. The neighborhood children ride their bikes in the street; employees of the Baptist retirement home and the senior citizens who live there walk the road for exercise on their lunch break or as part of a healthy lifestyle.

We need appropriate traffic calming measures and sidewalks before our neighborhood road is used by large and medium sized truck. When they begin logging and clearing trees for the armory, the neighborhood residents, pedestrians, and bike rides would like to avoid being hit by a logging truck in our own neighborhood!

Please join us in the fight to protect the neighborhood, and protect their right for a legitimate public comment session on a project that has the potential to have many negative and regrettable impacts on a quiet and safe Asheville neighborhood

2006-03-13T21:32:00.000-08:00

Pictures of the ball field complex and the new entrance to the Armory. The area to be cleared for JUST the fields is ~125o feet X 925 feet. And the joint project will require the moving of about 1/4 million cubic yards of earth (estimate from Parks and Rec.), to fill in the valleys and cut the ridges level. This Park is an irreplaceable treasure of Asheville and these plans are a waste of the Asheville's most unique city Park.
Scale 1" = 200'

The Armory Changes Plans

2006-03-11T09:21:00.000-08:00

On Feb. 26, 2006 the National Guard Armory submitted final plans for review by Technical Review Committee. This Armory has changed the design of their buildings and the access point.

Instead of armory personnel accessing the armory mainly through Richmond Hill Road, now ALL TRAFFIC (armory, ball complex, disc golfers, and all trail users) WILL TRAVEL THE FULL LENGTH OF RICHMOND HILL DRIVE, and armory personnel will double back (at about the clay flat at hole 16) and head back parallel to Richmond Hill Drive to reach the armory (current disc golf location).

These plans will increase the amount of traffic traveling through the full length of the neighborhood. Adding noise, air, and light pollution to the neighborhood, and adding risk to neighborhood residents.

Here are the new plans: (problems with host site, will post soon)

Marble Salamanders

2006-03-03T08:22:00.000-08:00

We found marble salamanders larvae within the park. This is exciting because this is the second record of them in Buncombe Co., and about the 4th-5th for the Blue Ridge.

Also the wood frogs have been breeding, and on a warm sunny day you may hear them "clacking".

This park has something that no other park in Asheville has. Because this park is relatively large it can, and likely does support higher biodiversity. Clearing out the center of this park for ball fields and an Armory will not only reduce its physical size, but the climate inside the park will also change. This is called edge effect, and has negative effects of habitat, biodiversity and aesthetic value. This will negatively impact amphibian, bird, and plant species found within the park, as well as the uniqueness of the park.

The main reason that a small strip of trees between houses, or along a road is so different that "deep woods" is edge effect, decreased humidity, increased winds, increased temperature variation, increased UV penetration, increased bird nest predation, increased exotic invasive species, decreased biodiversity. Edge effect extends hundreds of feet past the tree line, and the larger the clearing infront, generally the more severe the edge effect. This project calls for 30-35 acres of clearing for the fields and Armory, which is Significant.

Do you want to save Richmond Hill Park, Asheville's Largest Wooded Green Space?

2006-03-02T14:13:00.000-08:00

Here’s your chance to help!

Below is a list (though certainly not exhaustive) of talking points you can use if you choose to call or email the mayor, city council members, parks and recreation, etc. regarding the “development” plans at Richmond Hill Park. The list is meant to give you ideas, but your call/ email will be most effective if you express your concerns in your own words. Calling/emailing these decision-makers is one of the most effective ways to have your voice heard, so please contact them to express your concerns today

Mayor Terry Bellamy: mayorbellamy@ashevillenc.gov (828) 259-5600

City council member Robin Cape: rcape@charter.net (828) 216-4009

City council member Jan Davis: jandavis@main.nc.us (828) 253-5634

City council member Bryan Freeborn: freeborn@main.nc.us (828) 251-2176

Vice Mayor/City council Holly Jones: hollyj@buncombe.main.nc.us (828) 281-4804

City council member Dr. Carl Mumpower: drmumpower@aol.com (828) 252-8390

City council member Brownie Newman: bnewman@main.nc.us (828) 243-0107

Parks and Rec. director Irby Brinson: IBrinson@ashevillenc.gov (828) 259-5808

Parks Landscape architect: Seth Hendler: SHendler@ashevillenc.gov (828) 259-5508

Parks and Rec. Jim Orr: jorr@ashevillenc.gov (828)259-5800

City Manager Gary Jackson: GJackson@ashevillenc.gov

-Introduce yourself to the person you are calling. Let them know if you are a tax-paying citizen of the city of Asheville. If you are not, you can let them know your connection to the city and the park, and why you care about this issue.

-Express your concern over the proposed development at Richmond Hill Park for some or all of the following reasons (or any others that you may have):

-Richmond Hill Park is Asheville’s largest wooded green space. At 183 acres, this forest is a unique, valuable, and irreplaceable element of Asheville’s city park system. No other park in Asheville provides city residents with the same outdoor recreation, nature and wildlife experiences as Richmond Hill Park. If this park is “developed” according to the proposed plan, the city of Asheville and its residents will lose forever much of the uniqueness and value of the site, qualities that make it an outdoor sanctuary for the people to enjoy. This goes counter to the heart and soul of the residents of the city, and the image that makes Asheville so attractive to residents and visitors alike

-The park is perfectly suited for low-impact outdoor recreation and nature appreciation. There is no better publicly owned place in the city to walk on wooded trails, mountain bike, walk your dogs, go bird watching, or take nature walks and appreciate wildlife. This is an experience that is unique to Richmond Hill Park among Asheville’s parks, and it should be preserved for these purposes. If the “development” occurs as planned, the outdoor experience will be greatly diminished, and the remaining forest will be ecologically poorer than it currently is. The increased "Edge Effect" will increase exotic invasive species establishment within the park, decreasing biodiversity, and wildlife habitat quality. This is why the edge of a forest looks and is different than the “deep Woods”.

-The site is a poor choice for both ball fields and an armory. The terrain at the site is very hilly and wooded, which will require large amounts of forest to be clear-cut, and then extensive heavy grading and leveling. 20% or 30-35 contiguous acres of the park are slated to be cleared and developed. In the process, many plants and animals will be killed, and erosion and sedimentation will severely degrade the quality of the streams found on the property. To treat the land at the site in this manner is to waste its’ intrinsic value, and to create irreparable damage to the park and landscape. We should instead restore an already degraded and cleared/leveled landscape for the creation of ball-fields/armory, and/or use the ones that have already been built more efficiently.

I agree that it is important to have ball fields, but this is not the place for them!

-There are a number of rare and area-sensitive species that live in the park. By reducing the park by 20% of its size, many of these species will be lost. A thorough count and catalogue of the species currently living in the park should be taken before any “development” takes place, as it is possible some threatened and endangered species may live there. Any environmental assessment should examine both the Armory and Ball field Complex jointly. Anything less is not a true assessment of the impact on the park!

-The project will create high traffic volume in the currently quiet and safe neighborhood. This poses obvious threats to pedestrians and pets, but will also lead to more localized congestion, increased air, noise and light pollution.

After you have voiced your concerns, thank them for their time and for hearing you. Let them know this is an extremely important issue to you, and that you will be monitoring it closely.

You can further express your opposition to the “development” at Richmond Hill by signing a petition asking city officials to stop this project. Sign the Petition at:

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/3063317798

Thanks for your support in helping to protect Asheville’s largest wooded green space for people, wildlife and future generations. Every voice counts, make sure they hear Yours!

Google Earth Picture of Richmond Hill City Park

2006-02-24T14:12:00.000-08:00

Richmond Hill City Park is the large swath of greens and browns (center of picture) on the southern bank of the French Broad River as it flows around Richmond Hill headed north (river flows North, from bottom to top of photograph). It is a refuge for people and wildlife amidst a sea of pavement and development. I don't know how old this satellite image is, but I can guarantee that the green space isn't growing, but the development and pavement certainly is.

This park is to precious and unique for Asheville to lose.

Environmental Assessment of Richmond Hill City Park , Armory. Incomplete, dismissive and a losing proposition for the City of Asheville and Wildlife

2006-02-19T09:35:00.000-08:00

I have received my copy of the environmental assessment form Parks and Rec. This is the document that is used assess the impact on the environment and neighborhood by the Proposed Action, which is building the Armory. Upon review of this document I found several statements disturbing regarding the environmental assessment.

While a total about 30-35 contiguous acres of this wooded park are to be cleared of trees and leveled for the joint project, about 24 acres for the ball fields, about 8 acres for the Armory, the impact assessment only covers the area where the Armory will be. Why hasn't the entire environmental impact of the project been assessed since it will impact about 20% of this unique wooded park, the earth moving aspects will occur simultaneously and are co-projects?

Section 5.13)" A cumulative impact contributes to a local or regional trend. … individually benign, impacts can combine to create Significant adverse effects especially if a large number of similar and proximate [close together] actions are initiated simultaneously "

The leveling of the armory site and the ball complex will occur simultaneously, as far as I know. The cut material from the armory will be used as fill for the ball complex.

From the Environmental Assessment
(Section 5.4) Geology and Soils, "An impact is considered Significant if the Proposed Action: alters a water way or drainage route; causes sever erosion; includes large-scale modifications (i.e., greater then standard construction grading) to topography; disturbs over 25 contiguous acres of previously undisturbed area; impacts human health or safety; compromises the ability of the Proposed Action; or substantially reduces a unique or rare resource within the region, such as prime or unique farmlands." "... the site is comprised of Prime Farmland or Statewide Important Farmlands..."

This project will have a Significant Impact on the park. That is clearly stated above.

Cumulative Effects (Section 5.13) Cumulative effects are the impacts on the environment that result from the incremental impact of an action when added to other past, present, and foreseeable future actions..."

"Cumulative impacts are expected in Smith Creek which drains the site of the Proposed Action [Armory and Ball field Complex]. The impact of the Preferred Alternative [Armory] is cumulative in the context of anticipated development in the areas to west and east of the park.

"Cumulative effects from construction of the Proposed Action [Armory] are increased: air and noise pollution, energy consumption, traffic, solid waste, loss of habitat acreage, peak storm-water runoff and sediment loading."

"...cumulative effects for the Richmond Hill district of Asheville are increased: air and noise pollution, energy consumption, traffic, solid waste generation, and peak storm-water runoff and sediment load"

In reference to the plans to have ball complex area cleared and graded "The Proposed Action [Armory], can be considered the be connected to the park's development"

The cut material form the Armory is going to help fill in the rest of the "development" zone. This means the actions and impacts would occur simultaneous, and cumulative.

Letter From: Richard R. Rust, Environmental Consultant, To EPA coordinator May, 31 2005
"The Proposed Action [Armory] would constitute Federally funded new construction..."

Here are other quotes form the Environmental Impact Assessment

The Environmental Assessment says virtually nothing about the biologically impacts of this project, in fact it appears that no real assessment ever took place.

Biological Resources (section 4.7),
Flora (4.7.1) "the site has not been classified for presence of natural communities" ,
Fauna (4.7.2) "Wildlife typical to the region's woodlands are expected to inhabit and migrate through the site. The site has not been inventoried for fauna",
Threatened and Endangered Species (4.7.3) "The site has not been inventoried for the presence of these species"

Section (5.1) Land Use "The impact is cumulative in the context of anticipated suburban development of areas to the west and east of the park..." (5.6) Biological Resources "fauna would vacate the site", "A long-term impact on wildlife would be a loss of habitat."

Future development adjacent to this park makes maintaining the entire park in a natural setting that much more important. And this is just the Armory, not the ball field complex which is about three times the size and on steeper terrain.

Asheville needs to preserve this unique and amazing park intact!

LINK TO SAVE RICHMOND HILL CITY PARK PETITION

2006-02-08T12:27:00.000-08:00

Click Here: Sign the Petition to Save the woods at Richmond Hill City Park.

There are still some minor typo's "develped instead of developed" but please voice your concern over this amazing treasure of Asheville. We are working to fix this spelling error.

Sign this petition and let City Council and Parks and Recreation know we want to save Asheville's largest wooded greenspace as Asheville's largest wooded greenspace, intact.

Direction to this AWESOME park!

2006-02-07T16:40:00.000-08:00

From 19/23 at UNCA exit, turn left onto Broadway.
Take left at stoplight onto Riverside Drive (Headed South)
Take First right onto Pearson Bridge Rd. (Follow signs for Richmond Hill Inn)
Take next right, in middle of hairpin turn, onto Richmond Hill Drive.
Go to top of hill and turn right
Take second left onto Richmond Hill Road, follow onto gravel road and into
Parking lot.
Enjoy, Smith Creek Trail starts near the basket for hole 9.

New Link to Comments and Idea blog page

2006-02-05T20:18:00.000-08:00

Richmond Hill Woods Ideas and Comments blog
Use this link to post comments and ideas on how to save this unique wooded park for our city to enjoy

The Trail Map

2006-01-17T21:56:00.000-08:00

Im working on a way to make this work better, but untill then..

Winter in the Park

2006-01-17T21:24:00.000-08:00

This is the large White Oak? on the front nine

A little forest Snowscape

(-:

Another picture

2006-01-11T18:47:00.000-08:00

A great place for a walk, relax, and enjoy the serenity

Trail side view of the French Broad, in the spring and summer the rhododendron bloom in pink clusters of blossoms, in winter the Hemlock and Rhododendron keep the forest green and lively
An evergreen magnolia next to the trail
(-:

A picture and city council link now but more to come

2005-12-29T11:55:00.000-08:00

Also, I will have a map of the exisiting trails posted soon. Right now they are availiable at the frisbee golf course.

Contact Asheville city council
www.ci.asheville.nc.us/coucil/council.htm