In March, over 1,015 Buncombe residents shared ideas about where they’d like to walk in the County. Since then, we’ve reviewed your feedback, created and ranked projects, and built a proposed walking network for the first-of-its-kind Buncombe County Pedestrian Plan. Now, we want to share what we’ve learned and hear what residents think of the 10 priority projects. Residents can share what they like, what they’d change, and what matters most. Feedback will help shape the final Pedestrian Plan by the end of 2026.

Join Us In Person

Community feedback is a central part of creating a comprehensive Pedestrian Plan and residents are invited to an upcoming drop-in style community meeting on Aug. 26 at the Enka-Candler Library Community Room from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Join us to share your experiences, ask questions, and help shape the direction of this plan from the very beginning. Spanish interpretation and materials will be available.

What: Pedestrian Plan Community Meeting

When: 4:30-7:30 p.m., Wednesday, August 26, 2026

Where: Enka-Candler Library Community Room

1404 Sand Hill Road, Candler, NC 28715

Swannanoa is an important area identified in the Pedestrian Draft Plan, and we have seen how important sidewalk infrastructure is to residents through multiple community engagement efforts including the Swannanoa Small Area Plan. For our second community meeting, we are partnering with the Owen Park Reimagining team and joining their drop-in style community meeting in Swannanoa on Thursday, Aug. 27 from 5-7 p.m. at ArtSpace Charter School at 2030 US-70. Residents can learn about both plans, share their feedback, and ask questions. Spanish materials will be available.

What: Owen Park Reimagining Community Meeting

When: 5-7 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026

Where: ArtSpace Charter School

2030 US-70, Swannanoa, NC 28778

Online Survey

Can’t make it to one of our events? A virtual option for participation will be available later in August here in English and Spanish.

Timeline

Buncombe County is creating its first Pedestrian Plan to make walking easier in unincorporated areas. Buncombe County is planning future sidewalk, crosswalk, and other walking improvements. The project began in the summer of 2025 and is expected to go to the Board of Commissioners later this fall. Initial community engagement events included community meetings, focus groups, online surveys, and targeted outreach. Surveys and feedback opportunities gathered important data along the way to inform the current draft plan. Along the way, the Steering Committee offered guidance and directed the draft plan alignments.

Funding

The Buncombe County Pedestrian plan is funded by federal aid through the French Broad River Metropolitan Planning Organization and the North Carolina Department of Transportation. 

Get Involved

To learn more about community meetings, Steering Committee work, and feedback options, visit the Pedestrian Plan Engage Page.

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