Natural Areas Conference Volunteer Day at Karen Cragnolin Park

October 9th, 10AM - 12PM 

History/Context: Karen Cragnolin Park (KCP) was acquired by RiverLink in 2006 as a long-standing auto-crushing junkyard. For nearly two decades, RiverLink has invested in transforming the property by removing concrete, healing polluted soils through phytoremediation, managing invasive plants, and creating a new kind of public park—one that celebrates its ecological and cultural context, tells a story of remediation and restoration, and honors RiverLink's founder, Karen Cragnolin.

Located along the French Broad River within an extensive network of City of Asheville riverfront parks and greenways (only 3 miles from the Crown Plaza Hotel), KCP occupies a unique place in this system as a park that leads with conservation. Designed with flood resilience in mind, the park performed remarkably well during Hurricane Helene despite being submerged under more than 15 feet of water. Today, RiverLink continues to invest in the park's long-term resilience through stewardship of its native pollinator meadow in partnership with Patchwork Meadows, enhancement of riparian habitats, and ongoing efforts to create an aesthetically compelling, educational, and climate-resilient public space for the community to enjoy.

Overview of Activity: Volunteers will support the stewardship of Karen Cragnolin Park's native pollinator meadow and riparian area through invasive plant removal, general weeding, and mulching native woody species and river cane if time allows.

Volunteers will learn: How we manage a natural publicly accessible space in the floodplain, about our work to enhance the riparian area including the planting of native river cane, what it takes to manage a pollinator meadow, invasive plant identification and removal, what recovery work RiverLink is doing in the region, and more. 

Meeting Location: Karen Cragnolin Park -- 190 Amboy Rd, Asheville, NC 28806. Additional parking is available at Amboy River Park (180 Amboy Rd) and Carrier Park (220 Amboy Rd).

How to be Prepared: RiverLink will provide all necessary tools and equipment. Closed-toed shoes are required and pants are recommended. We also recommend everyone bring a water bottle and gardening gloves if you have them, but gloves will be provided if needed.

Waiver

I understand that participation in any RiverLink volunteer project may include situations and/or work with equipment that could pose a potential physical risk to those involved. I  understand that RiverLink staff will go over any potential hazards and best mitigation methods with volunteers before beginning any project. By signing below I hereby release, discharge, hold harmless, and forever acquit RiverLink or any other local sponsors/partners, and their representatives/employees from any liability that may arise from my participation in the volunteer project. Further, I assume all liability of any participants under that age of 18 for whom I am the parent/legal guardian/chaperone of. I agree to be respectful and inclusive of fellow volunteers and RiverLink staff. I consent to be included in photos or videos of this event for the purpose of social media use or marketing materials. I understand that this waiver has no expiration date.

Please contact [email protected] if you have any questions.

We look forward to seeing you there!

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