Help RiverLink Distribute Anything That Floats Parade Posters

RiverLink is looking for volunteers to help distribute their beautiful new posters -  as far and wide as possible. Ideally, they would like to see one in every shop window, on every bulletin board, and every information kiosk within a 100-mile radius! That's a little grandiose, so let's just aim for as pervasive a local presence as possible.


Anything That Floats is Saturday  August 9

If you are a business owner and would like some of these snazzy posters to hang in your place, let RiverLink know. There are plenty available.  If you can help  out by visiting local businesses to hang a poster, that'd be great too.

Contact RiverLink's Dave Russell at dave@riverlink.org or 252-8474, ext. 11 and let's spread the word.

 

RiverMusic Concert Series Features Americana/Roots night with the UK’s Treetop Flyers” and the “River Whyless

June 13, 2014    RiverMusic Concert Series   Americana/Roots night with the UK’s “Treetop Flyers” and the “River Whyless.” This is a Series of five Friday nights of live concerts by the French Broad River at the RiverLink Sculpture and Performance Plaza in the River Arts District of Asheville. RiverLink has teamed up with Heira Productions to assemble a top-notch mix of quality national acts and local favorites.

RiverLink Holds Meeting for Proposed Housing Project

December 10, 6 PM at  RiverLink's Warehouse Studios, 170 Lyman Street, in the heart of Asheville's River Art District - Join RiverLink and developer Jay Fiano for a neighborhood and community meeting to view and review plans for a new proposed housing project on Amboy Road directly across from the Wilma Dykeman RiverWay greenway.

RiverLink is spearheading the economic and environmental rebirth of the French Broad River and its watershed as a destination where everyone is invited to live, work and play. They accomplish their mission by providing permanent public access to the river through conservation and recreation easements, reclaiming contaminated lands for public use, greenway development, adaptive reuse of historic structures, creating public no-fee no-reservation camping sites along the river, adaptive reuse of historic structures, educating 5,000 school children a year and the public-at-large about the importance of the river, and empowering 1,700 volunteers annually.

RiverLink Volunteer Opportunities

Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities with RiverLink: 

• August 10, 2013 - 14th Annual RiverFest at the French Broad River Park. People are needed to help park cars, drive a a shuttle to and from the event, check IDs, pour beer,  help take rafts out of the river, hang out in the kids area, and pretty much anything else you can think that might happen at a festival. This event requires almost 100 volunteers, so get in touch if you can help!        Shifts are usually 11:00 am.- 2:00 p.m.  and 2:00- 5:00p.m.

Also needed are some safety kayaks to paddle around on the French Broad (from Hominy Creek to the RiverLink Scuplture Plaza) to make sure everyone participating in the  Anything That Floats Parade is safe while on the water. You should be comfortable in the water/paddling and own a kayak and PFD.  

•  August 17, 2013, 10:00-2:00p.m. - RecoverLink Cleanup along the Big Ivy.   RiverLink is partnering with Recover Brands for another river clean up. Meet at the RiverLink offices (170 Lyman Street) and carpool up there.           

• August 19, 2013- This isn't a volunteer opportunity but it will definitely be a good time. Oskar Blues Brewery is donating 10% of beer sales to RiverLink. There's a free shuttle leaving between 430-5:00 if there are at least 25 people. (The date for this event has changed from August 5th). Email  jess@riverlink.org  if you want to take the trolley. 
  
• August 23, 2013 - RiverMusic. We're welcoming Town Mountain (Bluegrass and Acoustic), 23 String Band (Old Time, Roots & Bluegrass), and CaroMia &The Flowers (Americana, Soul, Blues). As always we need people to park cars, sort trash, check IDs, and pour beer.  Shifts are 5:00-7:30 p.m.   and  7:30-9:30 p.m
• August 23, 2013 - RiverMusic. We're welcoming Town Mountain (Bluegrass and Acoustic), 23 String Band (Old Time, Roots & Bluegrass), and CaroMia &The Flowers (Americana, Soul, Blues). As always we need people to park cars, sort trash, check IDs, and pour beer. Shifts are 5:00-7:30 p.m.   and  7:30-9:30 p.m.

September 21, 2013- NC Big Sweep. I'll be sending out an email closer to the date, but just keep this date in mind. This is going to be our BIG watershed cleanup for the fall.  We'll have both walking and paddling teams.      
• September 28, 2013, 7:15-11:45- Asheville Citizen-Times Marathon. We need 10 volunteers to help us work at the Lyman Aid Station. If you want a t-shirt, I need your size by Septermber 1st. 

Located in Asheville's River Arts District, RiverLink is a regional organization spearheading the economic and environmental revitalization of the French Broad River watershed as a destination where everyone can work, live and play.

Camping on The French Broad River Paddle Trail

July 12-13  -  French Broad River Paddle Trail Leave No Trace Learn n' Paddle Overnighter Sponsored by RiverLink.   Join RiverLink on an overnight camping trip on the French Broad River Paddle Trail to learn and practice the principles of Leave No Trace for river corridors.

The cost is $45 per person and includes:  Rafting Supplies, food (dinner, breakfast, snacks and drinks), Leave no trace training, and an enjoying the beautiful French Broad River.

To register CLICK HERE. You will receive a confirmation email.

Trip Details:
RiverLink and Southern Raft Supply are teaming up with the Leave No Trace Traveling Trainers to host an overnight paddle trip on the French Broad River Paddle Trail to learn and practice Leave No Trace principles for River Corridors. The trip will start out Friday afternoon on Section 8, paddling from below Redmon Dam to the Big Pine Campsite (across from Barnard River Access Park). The group will spend Friday night at the Big Pine Campsite. Saturday participants will paddle Section 9 of the French Broad from Barnard to the Stackhouse River Access. Learning and practicing Leave No Trace principles along the way. The trip is scheduled to begin at noon of Friday and anticipates being at Stackhouse by noon on Saturday, and back to Asheville by 2 PM.

Leave No Trace - Enjoying the Outdoors Responsibly
Join RiverLink, Southern Raft Supply and the Leave No Trace Traveling Trainers for an interactive presentation and discussion that will focus on the elements of the Leave No Trace minimum impact program. This session will highlight the Leave No Trace outdoor skills and ethics program, which is applicable to all outdoor enthusiasts and all environments. This national program is administered by the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics, whose mission is to teach people how to enjoy the outdoors responsibly. In addition to learning the hows and whys behind the importance of practicing Leave No Trace, participants will be provided with information on how to easily and effectively integrate Leave No Trace into their daily lives and programs. The Traveling Trainers are committed to teaching Leave No Trace education as they live on the road, sleep 200 nights a year in a tent, and offer this award winning program in communities from coast to coast.

The French Broad River Paddle Trail will serve to protect the river as a resource for recreation, environmental stewardship, education, and economic development. The trail promotes long term partnerships to ­­develop and maintain a low impact water trail with, Leave No Trace paddle-in camping every 8-10 miles along the river corridor. The French Broad River Paddle Trail provides 117 river miles, from Rosman, NC to the NC border where it connects to 101 miles of TN French Broad River Blueway.

The RiverLink campsites are protected with conservation and recreation easements that ensure they will reamain free and open to the public in perpetuity.  Check out the new French Broad River Paddle Trail Map    The online map, is a great resource for planning your trip.


French Broad River Paddle Trail Community Forum Launches  If you would like to share your trip experiences, learn more about the river directly from the paddling community, stay up to date on events and volunteer opportunities, or help us maintain the trail, please JOIN THE FORUM

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Asheville's RiverLink Receives Dollar For Dollar Matching Grant

RiverLink's mission is the economic and environmental rebirth of the French Broad River and its watershed. They have been making good and important on the ground projects happen on the French Broad since 1986. Their mission has been accomplished by providing permanent public access to the river through conservation and recreation easements, reclaiming contaminated lands for public use, greenway development, public no-fee overnight camping space along the river, adaptive reuse of historic structures, educating the public at large and 5,000 students a year about the river's importance, advocating for mixed-use mixed-income development and empowering over 1,700 volunteers to help make the river the best destination to live, work and play.

Water was the number one agenda item at DAVOS international business Conference this year. When it comes to water RiverLink connects the dots between environmental protection, transportation, health & housing, education, recreation , economic development and the public.

You can join the team that is navigating a sustainable and inclusive future for the French Broad River watershed.
Donate by snail mail at RiverLink, PO Box 15488, Asheville, NC 28813 or on the secure website at riverlink.org.
 
Your donation or pledge will be matched dollar for dollar by a generous donor until June, 30.

RiverMusic Concert Series in the River Arts District

June 14   RiverMusic Concert Series   David Mayfield Parade (Energetic Roots & Americana) Underhill Rose (Heartfelt Bluegrass Soul), feat. Brass band interludes byEmpire Strikes Brass (BRASSFUNKROCK). This is a Series of five Friday nights of live concerts by the French Broad River in the River Arts District of Asheville, NC. RiverLink has teamed up with Heira Productions to assemble a top-notch mix of quality national acts and local favorites.

Learn more about Asheville lodging, restaurants and attractions HERE.

Asheville Celebrates the French Braod River Paddle Trail

May 11 -   Asheville Adventure Rentals is hosting a Float Trip starting at Noon from Jean Webb Park to the Paddle Trail Celebration. Participants will receive a 25% discount on boat rental and shuttle.  Cost: $30 for boat and gear rental, and shuttle, $10 for shuttle only if you bring your own boat. Register for the trip by emailing: Nancy@riverlink.org or calling AAR at: 828-505-7371.  If you want to shuttle to Jean Webb Park or need to rent a boat for the float, please arrive at AAR by 11:30am. Or you can meet us a Jean Webb Park at Noon with your own watercraft.

Join  Asheville Adventure Rentals afterwords from 1 to 5 PM, to help RiverLink celebrate the launch the French Broad River Overnight camping Paddle Trail and the new interactive online map. A fun-filled day is planned including games and workshops designed to illustrate how to utilize and access the free, no reservation required overnight camping sites.

RiverLink will demonstrate the new online map, offer a variety of beers for sale from Asheville Brewing Company, Sierra Nevada and Altamont Brewing. Bring the whole family and make it a day of great food from food trucks, a corn hole tournament and ice cream from the Hop. You can even win raffle prizes thanks to generous donations from Blue Heron Whitewater, Southern Raft Supply, Watershed, ENO, Second Gear, Mast General Store, Fifth Element Massage and others.

Asheville Adventure Rentals is located at 407 Riverside Drive in Asheville NC,  at the base of the Pearson Bridge, just south of the By Water.

Schedule of Events:

*Noon - Float Trip
*1:30pm - Fishing Clinic
*2pm - Hammock Camping Clinic
*3pm- Overnight Raft Trip Clinic


The French Broad River Paddle Trail will serve to protect the river as a resource for recreation, environmental stewardship, education, and economic development. The trail promotes long term partnerships to ­­develop and maintain a low impact water trail with, Leave No Trace paddle-in camping every 8-10 miles along the river corridor. The French Broad River Paddle Trail provides 117 river miles, from Rosman, NC to the NC border where it connects to 101 miles of TN French Broad River Blueway.  The RiverLink campsites are protected with conservation and recreation easements that ensure they will reamain free and open to the public in perpetuity.

Check out the New French Broad River Paddle Trail Map.   The online map, is a great resource for planning your trip. We have worked with the community to develop the map with all river access points, campsites, river hazards, and river gauges. In addition, resources you may need along the way have been included such as rafting and guide services, gear shops, equipment rentals, product manufacturers, parks and other recreational opportunities, and lodging opportunities.

Located in Asheville's River Arts District, RiverLink is a regional organization spearheading the economic and environmental revitalization of the French Broad River watershed as a destination where everyone can work, live and play.

Whitewater Rafting Trip Supports RiverLink

May 5 -  Blue Heron Whitewater is hosting a whitewater rafting trip in support of RiverLink.   Join the adventure for a half day trip down Section 9 of the French Broad River. Spend the day on the river having fun and enjoying our beautiful river, with 100% of the proceeds benefiting RiverLink the Asheville conservation

organization that is spearheading the French Broad River Paddle Trail and interactive map, the Wilma Dykeman RiverWay, watershed education for children all ages, and empowering 1,700 volunteers to assist with  numerous programs and projects improving water quality and economic development  in the French Broad River Watershed.

Participants will meet at Blue Heron Whitewater at 1:30 PM. RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED  - call Blue Heron Whitewater to reserve your space at 1-888-426-7238 or 828-450-4663. The cost is $44 per person with a Minimum age of 8 years old. The price  includes: rafting, gear, guides, and safety overview.

Find more Asheville events, lodging and attractions on the Asheville NC Visitor Guide.

RiverLink Kicks Off Warehouse Studios Revitalization Fundraiser with Kickstarter

RiverLink is in the process of giving the Warehouse Studios a facelift. Part of this project includes a mural painted by a local artist. This is being done for free. To bring the building back to its full glory, we also need new handrails for the Warehouse Studios (both into our offices and for the handicap access for the artist studios on the second floor).

These handrails will be a collaboration between a local Asheville artist and RiverLink as well as the Biltmore Iron & Metal Company who will be donating the metal.

RiverLink is starting a new KickStarter initiative to fund the project. The project is called artistic hands and the goal is raise $4000 by April 30, 2013.

Kickstarter is based on all-or-nothing funding. Starting March 1, people will be able to sign on and pledge money to help with the Artistic Hands projects. We have set a goal, and if for some reason that goal is not reached, RiverLink will not get any of the money pledged.

RiverLink is very excited about this project, and committed to ensuring artists of the River Arts District are able to make a living from their trade. The money raised in this project will make sure RiverLink is able to pay the artist who will create the handrails and help bring the building, and the River Arts District, back to life. 

Riverlink,  located in Asheville's River Arts District,  is a regional organization spearheading the economic and environmental revitalization of the French Broad River watershed as a destination where everyone can work, live and play .

CLICK HERE for more information about the Artist Hands project.

RiverLink Offers Free Children's Tickets to Piccadilly Circus: Blammo

RiverLink is offering free Children's General Admission tickets to the Piccadilly Circus: Blammo! in Fletcher, a suburb of Ashevillle.  The circus will feature the Cossack Warriors, comedic clowns, a free petting zoo and the My Little Pony Parade. The event will be held at the WNC Agriculture Center Arena on Thursday March 7, 2013.  Show times are 4:30 and 7:30 PM.  

Each ticket is good for free admission for children under the age of 13. The ticket will admit ONE child with purchase of an adult ticket. This is for Children's General Admission and is not a Children's VIP area ticket. 

Adult tickets may be purchased online. Use the code "CIRCUS" until 10:00 AM the morning of the show to receive 50% off the Adult General Admission ticket price. 

Tickets are first come, first serve. Stop by the RiverLink offices at 170 Lyman Street to pick them up.  More info about the Picadilly Circus can be found  HERE.

River Music Concert Series begins this weekend

June 29, 5 PM, 144 Riverside Drive at the RiverLInk Sculpture and Performance Plaza in the River Arts District.   River Music  - Dance under the stars next to the beautiful French Broad River at Asheville's new summer concert series hosted by New Belgium Brewing and RiverLink. 

There will be New Belgium beer, a variety of good eats provided by your favorite Asheville food trucks and the waters of the beautiful French Broad flowing right by the stage. Best of all, these events are FREE to the public. Bring your lawn chair and enjoy the view of the French Broad River at RiverMUSIC!

2012 River Music Concert Schedule:

June 29: From Brooklyn, NY, the 10-piece styling of Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds, with special guests The Krektones and the Mad Tea Party.

July 13: Bluegrass on the river with Sanctum Sully and special guests Bobby Miller & The Virginia Daredevils.

August 3: An evening with The 42nd Street Jazz Band.

August 24: Sirius B. with special guests The Blood Gypsies.

September 14: Purveyors of the funk, Yo Mama's Big Fat Booty Band with special guests The Fritz.