The Town of Black Mountain had a lot to celebrate last week with the official opening of the Flat Creek Greenway. A ribbon cutting ceremony which included key Town officials, staff, and students from the Elementary School, marked the occasion with great excitement. Equinox was also present and even acknowledged during the ceremony by the Chairman of Black Mountain Greenway Commission, Julie White, for playing a critical role in the project: “The Black Mountain Greenway Commission is very excited about the opening of the Flat Creek Greenway. We want to thank Equinox Environmental for helping to make this trail a reality. They did the initial landowner outreach and the conceptual master plan for the greenway. Because of this work, when stimulus funds became available we were “shovel ready” and got the funding needed for the project. The work Equinox did for us was instrumental in getting this trail on the ground and we are very grateful for the fine work” said White.
The story for this greenway begins back in 2002 when the Town of Black Mountain identified what was then called the “Primary School Greenway” as a priority link in the Town’s greenway system. In 2005 the Black Mountain Greenway Commission enlisted the services of Equinox and in 2006 a completed master plan was presented to the residence of Black Mountain. The master plan included a detailed trail alignment, locations for outdoor seating and signage, education stations, trailhead access, removable bollards, and the integration of a stream restoration project. Fast forward to 2011 and the vision of a greenway that runs along Flat Creek is now a reality.
This wonderful section of greenway provides a pathway not just for walking and bike riding but also serves as a way for children to walk to school. The greenway which runs along Flat Creek connects neighborhoods to the north to the Primary School. The Elementary School and Primary School are also connected via Village Way Greenway in which Equinox also played a role in the layout. Remember the days of being able to walk to school? Now also imagine an outdoor learning area that’s at the doorstep of a school to teach about the natural environment – that’s the Flat Creek Green Way!
