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Hood Huggers Deliver Art at a Pocket Park

In 2021, a ¼-acre parcel with a small stream on it was donated to RiverLink in the Burton Street Community. Since then, we have been working with volunteers, the community, and Hood Huggers International (HHI) to remove invasive plants, install native species, and create a neighborhood “pocket park,” which the community has dubbed Pearson Park. With grant funding from Buncombe County, we have installed a picnic table, a charcoal grill, and an art installation created by DeWayne Barton, founder of Hood Huggers International.

We are grateful for our partnership with HHI, including the opportunity to work with their youth program, known as HHI-Under Instruction, to improve and steward the park. We look forward to continuing to enhance this space for the community and to strengthening our partnership.

Keeping It Cool in the River | Swim Safety

As we enter some of the hottest months of the year many of you are probably looking for some ways to cool down. For generations our local waterways have been go-to places for a summer swim, but with the impact of Helene still being felt it’s wise to approach this activity with some caution. The good news is there are still ways to safely experience our freshwater resources this summer by following some best practices. 

• Protect your feet: Many waterways still have debris in the riverbed, everything from sharp glass to twisted metal left behind by the flooding. Water shoes are always a good idea, but this year they’re essential. 
• Think about what’s upstream: The cleanest and safest swim spots are usually those fed by forested headwaters. Use an aerial map to find areas that aren’t downstream of urban development or agricultural land, which can carry runoff and pollutants. 
• Watch the rain: Stormwater runoff can carry contaminants straight into our waterways, making swimming after rain especially risky. Given the pattern of afternoon showers this summer, your best bet for safer swimming is in the morning, after a dry stretch.
• Check out the data:  While not every site has real-time monitoring, several tools can help you make an informed choice: Swim Guide, E. Coli Testing, USGS River Gauges, and water quality data from EQI. 
• Stay up to date on official park openings: Bent Creek, Glen Bridge, Corcoran Paige, Ledges Whitewater, and Hominy Creek – have reopened. Meanwhile, engineering and design work is underway for Charles D. Owen Park and the Hominy Creek peninsula. Check www.buncombenc.gov/parks for the latest updates on county river parks.  

With a little planning and awareness, you can still make the most of our local rivers and streams this summer. Stay safe, stay cool, and enjoy the beauty our waterways have to offer.

Now Hiring | AmeriCorps Project Conserve Positions

Join the RiverLink team! We are hiring two AmeriCorps Project Conserve Members for the 2025-2026 term - A Watershed Coordinator and an Out of School Coordinator. If you're looking for opportunities to improve our river banks or connect youth with their environment, we strongly encourage you to apply. RiverLink has partnered with AmeriCorps Project Conserve for over a decade, hosting members for an 11-month term of service. Over the years these members have made significant contributions to our work and were excited to bring on a new cohort of members to continue this legacy. Click below to learn more about compensation and the application process for these positions.

Spotlight on Generosity | Dancing Bear Toys

As river lovers know so well, flowing waters offer hours of unplugged fun. But if you can’t get to your local stream today, there’s fun for kids of all ages at Dancing Bear Toys (518 Kenilworth Rd). Operated by two generations of locals since 1989, this business shares our commitment to providing young people discovery activities that strengthen inquiry, imagination, and problem solving. Their incredible generosity to RiverLink in the weeks following Helene demonstrates the depth of their commitment to community recovery and restoration, and we are extremely grateful! Check out their free programs, events and more at dancingbeartoys.com.

Other News

• Wrong Way River Lodge and Cabins will be hosting RISE: A Fly-Fishing Festival on August 24th. The event is free, open to the public and a portion of the proceeds will benefit RiverLink and MountainTrue. Learn more here.

• Come see us at the United for Youth Block Party on Friday, August 22nd, 5:00 PM-8:00 PM, at Pack Square Park. As one of our primary afterschool partners, we're thrilled to join them for this evening of family fun! Learn more here. 

Thanks for being part of our French Broad River community!

RiverLink promotes the environmental and economic vitality
of the French Broad River and its watershed. Please join us with a gift today!