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New Park Takes Shape in Swannanoa’s Grovemont Community

by FANS Admin
August 19th, 2021
Article Courtesy of Allen Dye – Board Chair, Swannanoa Community Council 

“In the South, history clings to you like a wet blanket. Outside your door the past awaits in Indian mounds, plantation ruins, heaving sidewalks and homestead graveyards; each slowly reclaimed by the kudzu of time.” ― Tim Heaton, from Don’t Be Ugly: The G-Rated companion book to “Momma n ‘Em Said: The Treasury of Southern Sayings”

As a typically lush summer moves through the Swannanoa Valley, so do the plans and activities surrounding Swannanoa’s newest public space, “Fox Creek Park,” located in the Grovemont community. The planned park sits on a 2.35-acre parcel that was recently donated to the Swannanoa Community Council (SCC), a nonprofit that owns the Swannanoa Library building and Grovemont park and playground, by local real estate developer Brent Allen. The property was once the site of “Lake June,” a beautiful recreational lake built by E.W. Grove in the early 1920’s as part of his planned community, “Grovemont-On-Swannanoa.” Although the dam and spillway remain, the lake is long gone, and the property has remained largely untouched by human hands for many years.

But all that has begun to change. In early June, not long after the SCC took ownership of the property, a strong supporter of Swannanoa stepped into the picture. Larry Pierson, Deputy Fire Chief of the Swannanoa Fire Department and Sergeant with the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office, spent a soggy day clearing out and hauling away several tons of logs and debris from what will become the entrance to the park on Ivanhoe Drive.

And thanks to the efforts of one of our newest neighbors, Glen Peterson, the dense overgrowth of kudzu overwhelming the dam’s spillway has been slowly receding in recent weeks. Glen has spent hours weeding and clearing the entrance to the park, working to identify valuable plant species inside the boundaries, and helping to solidify a vision for the park’s future. With a better understanding of what’s there and what needs to be preserved, the first tentative steps are being taken toward preparing the space for visitors.

That effort got off to a great start at the first Fox Creek Park workday on Saturday, July 31. Proving, once again, that many hands really do make light(er) work, a group of 14 enthusiastic volunteers made tremendous progress clearing brush, removing kudzu and other invasives, and beginning the process of cutting a path into the property. More of these gatherings will be coming soon; all are encouraged to come out and lend a hand. In the meantime, take a walk down Ivanhoe Drive in Grovemont, and check out the progress that’s already been made.

Want to know more? Visit FoxCreekPark.Org, and join the mailing list to stay informed about upcoming events.

Volunteers take a break for a photo op at the Fox Creek Park workday on Saturday, July 31.

Categories Fox Creek Park, Grovemont, Other Swannanoa News, Recent-News-2
  • New Park Takes Shape in Swannanoa’s Grovemont Community
  • The Swannanoa Community Yard Sale is Back!
  • Get Your Groove On at the Final Groovin’ on Grovemont Outdoor Concert on August 10
  • Save Money on Your Energy Bills With the Help of Energy Savers Network
  • County Seeks Community Input on Library Proposal That Includes Consolidation of Swannanoa and Black Mountain Libraries
  • The Swannanoa Community Garden is Buzzing With Activity
  • Warren Wilson College Named “Best Buy” School
  • Check Out the New “Barn Quilts” on the Warren Wilson College Barns
  • Postcards From the Past
  • “Pickin’ on the Porch” at Black Mountain Center for the Arts
  • Swannanoa Welcome Table Plans to Resume Free Meals Soon
  • Tiny Tots Yoga at the Swannanoa Library
  • Swannanoa Scenes
  • Save the Date for the Swannanoa Community Yard Sale
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Friends And Neighbors of Swannanoa (FANS)
P.O. Box 697
Swannanoa, NC 28778
(828) 581-9848
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  • Home
  • About FANS
    • Our Mission
    • History of Our Organization
    • Our Board
    • Get Involved
  • About Swannanoa
    • Facts & Figures
    • Our Community
    • Our Rich Heritage
      • A Brief History
      • Beacon Blankets
  • Our Projects
    • Swannanoa Winterfest
    • Welcome Sign
    • Swannanoa Community Garden
    • Clean-Ups
    • Swannanoa Community Newsletter
    • Community Yard Sale
    • Bus Shelter
    • Greenways
    • Other Projects
  • Photo Galleries
    • Thumbnail Directory
    • Swannanoa Community Garden
    • Swannanoa Yard Sales =>
      • Yard Sale Fall 2014
      • Yard Sale Spring 2014
      • Yard Sale Fall 2013
    • Swannanoa Sweep =>
      • In 2013
      • In 2012
    • Other Events
      • Groovin’ On Grovement
      • River Cleanup
      • Mill Around the Village 2011
      • Mill Around the Village 2012
      • Holiday Party and Benefit 2012
      • Dave’s House Wall Raising in Beacon Village
  • Helpful Resources
    • Swannanoa Organizations
    • Other Information
  • Contact
  • FaceBook