Charles D. Owen Park, located behind Owen Manufacturing on Warren Wilson College Road, has long been a favorite spot in Swannanoa for ball games, fishing, family outings, hiking, dog walking and picnicking. With two lakes, access to the Swannanoa River, and beautiful mountain views, it’s a great place to spend an afternoon.
Thanks to a grant received by the County from Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF), Owen Park has recently undergone a face lift. Old wooden benches and picnic tables were replaced with modern structures. Both picnic shelters have new, wide pathways leading from the parking lot, and one shelter is now handicapped accessible. The existing walking path that circles the lakes has been graded and resurfaced and a new pathway has been added for better access to the T-Ball field.
Special new in-ground trash and recycle bins are replacing the park’s standard trash cans. The new bins look like traditional trash cans on the surface, but most of the container is buried five feet under the ground. Each bin has the capacity to hold as much trash and recycle materials as twenty standard-sized trash containers! Because most of the container is underground, the earth’s geothermal temperatures keep the trash from smelling, and they don’t attract bugs or or other critters.
Special new in-ground trash and recycle bins are replacing the park’s standard trash cans. The new bins look like traditional trash cans on the surface, but most of the container is buried five feet under the ground. Each bin has the capacity to hold as much trash and recycle materials as twenty standard-sized trash containers! Because most of the container is underground, the earth’s geothermal temperatures keep the trash from smelling, and they don’t attract bugs or or other critters.
Additional park improvements are coming this fall. Stay tuned!
For more information, contact Lucy Crown at Buncombe County Parks, Greenways and Recreation Services: 250-4260.