Current map of Jackson County Greenway.
For years, walkers, joggers and cyclists have packed the Jackson County Greenway’s single mile of paved trail, a short stretch that extends along the Tuckaseigee River with a large footbridge crossing at Locust Creek to its intersection with Monteith Gap Road.
Now, after decades of patient advocacy and months of behind-the-scenes negotiations, that mile is about to triple in size.
County officials recently finalized the purchase of parcels that will allow a 2.6-mile extension of the trail, a milestone celebrated by local leaders and greenway supporters.
“This kind of work takes a kind of steady advocacy by lots of people over a long period of time,” said Leigh Ann Young, Webster’s vice mayor and board member of Friends of the Jackson County Greenways. “When considering the parcel acquisition and rights of way, sometimes you have to wait a generation for opportunities to present themselves. For a long time, the biggest obstacle was simply lining up those pieces. And amazingly, the stars have just aligned in this last year to allow the county to consider the expansion in a very real way.”
The county has chosen to handle much of the trail buildout in-house, investing in equipment and staff to lay the foundation for the extension, she said. Some engineering will still be required for a tight connection along Ledbetter Road, but with land secured, the groundwork for expansion is in place.
For Young, the challenge now is keeping the momentum going.
“At the end of the day, it’s going to cost money,” she said. “So that’s kind of where we come in is trying to help educate and let people know where the opportunities are and create easy pathways for giving and supporting.”
A mile already loved
Usage data suggests enthusiasm won’t be hard to find. County trail counters recorded nearly 10,000 average monthly crossings at the Greenway Bridge over the past two years, with thousands more at other access points. On sunny weekends, the Locust Creek parking lot is often full.
“Allowing some other points where folks can hop on and hop off, it’ll expand the opportunity and access for residents and visitors,” Young said.
Survey says more access,
more amenities
Friends of the Greenway recently partnered with students from Western Carolina University and UNC Chapel Hill’s Gillings School of Global Public Health to survey Greenway users. The effort produced 687 responses between fall 2024 and spring 2025, offering a detailed snapshot of how and why the trail is used.
“The survey was a really exciting opportunity that we were able to work with interns in the fall, one from Western Carolina University,” Young said. “And then this past spring, we had an intern from UNC Chapel Hill School of Public Health. And we collected 687 surveys, which is just amazing.”
Survey responses emphasized the importance of amenities like benches, restrooms and accessible features. Young also mentioned that respondents showed interest in educational programs.
“A number of the survey responses indicated that educational programs and guided walks would be appreciated – we’ve already taken that information into consideration, and we’ve been offering different programs on the Greenway,” she said. “And including one this Thursday when we’ll have a native plant walk.”
Beyond recreation
Young believes the expanded Greenway will become more than a place to walk.
“It is an exceptionally well-loved one mile, and I think linking that will provide even more opportunities for folks to recreate, but it also introduces the possibility of a transportation corridor where this could all of a sudden connect resources that allow you to walk or bike instead of using a car,” she said.
She added that the expansion’s proximity to Western Carolina University could open new doors.
“The proximity to Western Carolina University opens up so many opportunities for students,” she said. “I think a lot of the data we’ve collected thus far points to exercise and wellness being the primary motivator for folks. And I think that will continue, but it may even increase because there’ll be more points of access.”
“It’ll expand the opportunity and access for residents and visitors,” Young said. “It’s definitely the idea that this might be something that might attract folks from outside the area and be a bit of an economic driver that is interesting to consider. And many of us currently travel to other areas to enjoy their extensive greenway systems. So having something a little more than a mile will also be attractive to not just residents, but visitors.”
For Young, securing land for the extension marks an important milestone, but not the end of the work. With land in place, usage already high and community enthusiasm clear, the Greenway’s next chapter is ready to unfold.
“I think we are very much in the place where we can celebrate it,” Young said. “Yes, absolutely… it’s super exciting.”
- Hannah Yarrington
Sylva Herald