In Swannanoa, a transformation is underway as the site of the former Beacon Blanket factory is being reimagined into a sprawling bike park. Scheduled for a soft launch by the year’s end, this new development has sparked excitement and some concern among residents.
The project, Beacon Park, is seen as a potential game-changer for Buncombe County, which faced devastation from Hurricane Helene. Yet, questions linger about the area’s readiness to handle the anticipated influx of visitors.
Daniel Sapp, the Chief Marketing Officer for Beacon Park, recently visited the construction site. “So yeah, right here in this corner, there’s going to be a little pocket pavilion — you know, a ton of shade and everything,” Sapp remarked. “And so, the greenway’s right here. Mom, Dad, Grandma and Grandpa can come hang out right there while the kids are on the trails.”
As one traverses the site, the future park’s layout becomes clearer with bulldozers at work and ribbons of asphalt marking the soon-to-be pumptrack. This track is set to be the largest in North and South America, designed by Velosolutions. It’s not just for bikers; skateboarders, rollerbladers, and adaptive cyclists will also be welcome.
The anticipation is that this venue will attract both national and international competitions, boosting visitor numbers significantly. “We’ve obviously had a ton of interest from people all over the country and even all over the world with what’s happening here,” said Sapp.
Construction of Beacon Park kicked off in early 2024, accelerated by a $4.5 million grant from the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority. This grant is funded by taxes collected from tourists staying in local accommodations, earmarked specifically for projects that bolster tourism.
Felicia Sonmez
/
BPR News
Beyond the pumptrack, the park will feature a mile-long path, bouldering walls, green spaces, playgrounds, and a large event lawn. “So the bike park’s just one component,” emphasized Sapp. “First and foremost, it is a community park.”
Constructing one park, rebuilding another
While the new park brings hope, Swannanoa’s journey to recovery from Hurricane Helene is ongoing. The community still awaits the rebuilding of essential services like a post office and a supermarket. Beacon Village, surrounding the park, was among the worst hit.
Resident Lisa Fields expressed her concerns about the visible remnants of the storm. “I think it’s still visually disturbing to see the rubble,” she said. Fields, whose child is an Olympic gold medalist in BMX, hopes the park’s leaders are ready for the challenges of hosting large events.
Felicia Sonmez
/
BPR News
Residents, including Doug Lebbon, are optimistic about the park’s potential. “I think it’s just going to be a wonderful addition,” he said. “It may drive more development that may or may not be what some of us want in Swannanoa. But some of it’s like, well, progress — you don’t get to control what progress is going to be, always.”
‘Finding some normalcy’ amid the recovery
Daniel Sapp acknowledges the timing of the park’s development amid ongoing recovery efforts. Upon reflection, the decision to proceed was based on the belief that outdoor spaces can aid in healing and community cohesion. “Finding some normalcy — finding a way to take a break from just the incredible mental load and emotional attacks and everything else that’s going on and just have a little bit of normalcy — is really important,” he stated.
Felicia Sonmez
/
BPR News
With plans for major events in the future, the park aims to use visitor-generated revenue to maintain its facilities. “Being that we don’t have just a stream of funding coming in all the time, we do have to support the park to keep it open,” Sapp explained.
The project is spearheaded by the local Beacon Foundation, with deep roots in the community. Its co-founder, Casey Watkins, is a Swannanoa native and the grandson of Beacon Blanket factory workers.
New businesses are already emerging around the park, like Short Sleeves Coffee and Town Hardware. Daymakers Slider Bar is set to open soon.
“Swannanoa is coming back to life a little bit, and it’s exciting,” Sapp noted. With a community preview slated for this year, Beacon Park’s grand opening is anticipated next spring.
