SWANNANOA, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Construction at Beacon Park in Swannanoa is moving forward, with a bridge being installed as part of the park’s future greenway.
Beacon Park WNC shared photos Wednesday showing the bridge being moved into position over a creek. The bridge will lead to an area planned for a pavilion, nature playground, bike skills area and other amenities.
“It’s been an exciting start to the week at the park,” Beacon Park WNC said in a social media post, describing the bridge as a major piece of the future greenway.
Tennoca Construction Co., which is working on the project, also shared photos of the installation.
When complete, the greenway will wind through Beacon Park, providing more than a mile of wide, gently rolling paved trail designed to be accessible to people of all ages and abilities.
The trail is expected to include native trees and plants, artwork and other features.
Beacon Park is being developed on the 4.7-acre site of the former Beacon Blanket Mill in downtown Swannanoa. Park officials have said the project is scheduled to open in fall 2026.
A new landscape for Swannanoa
The bridge is one of several features taking shape as construction continues.
Beacon Park officials said in July that the project calls for nearly 190 trees, including more than 150 native trees throughout the corridor.
The tree planting plan follows the removal of pine trees along Whitson Avenue.
Beacon Park officials said the older pines had been showing signs of age and were dropping large limbs, creating a safety hazard along the public street, sidewalk, greenway and park.
Officials said they worked with arborists and looked for ways to preserve the trees before deciding removal was necessary.
The new plantings are expected to include Carolina silverbell, sourwood, swamp white oak, sugar maple, black gum, American yellowwood and white fringetree.
Beacon Park officials said the native trees will provide shade while helping manage stormwater, stabilize soil and provide habitat and food for birds and pollinators.
The project is intended to create a diverse tree canopy that can benefit the park and surrounding community over the long term.
What’s coming to Beacon Park
The park is planned to include a large bike facility designed by Velosolutions, a company that specializes in urban bike infrastructure.
Other planned amenities include:
- Professional-grade outdoor bouldering walls
- A one-mile paved walking loop
- Pavilions
- A large lawn for concerts and festivals
- A nature playground
- A bike skills area
- The greenway bridge
Beacon Park officials describe the bike facility as the largest all-wheel bike facility of its kind in North and South America.
The project is also expected to include partnerships with Red Bull, UCI and USA BMX.
Full project completion is expected in fall 2026, according to Beacon Park.
