MARSHALL - The first phase of the rebuild at Marshall's biggest recreation area, Blannahassett Island, which was destroyed in Tropical Storm Helene, will be completed by February 2027.
Appalachian Design Center teamed up with the town to help reshape the future at the tract, one of the county's most recognizable landmarks.
Blannahassett Island can be considered a kind of floating cornerstone for both Madison County and the town of Marshall. The roughly 10-acre tract in the middle of the French Broad River was part of the first 50-acre piece of land parceled from Buncombe to Madison, creating a seat for the new county in 1853.
When Helene ripped through the region on Sept. 27, 2024, heavy rains caused catastrophic flooding of many rivers, including
the French Broad, which devastated Marshall, destroying homes, roads, bridges and businesses. Helene killed more than 100 people and caused nearly $60 billion in damage across the state.
The first phase of the rebuild, to include the construction of a new playground and walking track on the island, as well as a regrading of the island, is fully funded and will come at no cost to residents, according to Julia Passik, Appalachian Design Center's Marshall project manager.
The Appalachian Design Center recruits volunteer architects, engineers, landscape architects, planners and graphic designers to work with communities to find design solutions that lead to a better quality of life, according to Executive Director Chris Joyell.
The center, which is also working with the town of Hot Springs to revitalize its old jail building and community center, and its team of landscape architects and designers is seeking resident feedback on what they envision the island should look and feel like, while also recognizing the property's history, said Passik.
The first community sessionwas in April and the second meeting was June 2, allowing residents a chance to meet with designers and share their input. Through these community conversations, surveys, design reviews and input, a shared vision began to take shape, with the community identifying four priorities to guide the island's design: to welcome everyone, protect nature, preserve local identity and bring people together, according to a flyer for the event.
The final concept is proposed throughout multiple phases and includes up to 150 parking spaces, an event lawn and multi-use field, as well as paddle and river access,
The team of professionals assisting with the project includes Abby Brayton, Matthew Manley, Joel Osgood, Kevin Tate and Dennis Turner.
According to Brayton, a landscape architect with national firm RVI Planning's Asheville office the walking trail and playground has been the number one thing that people really want back.
"The great part about the design process is that with multiple concepts, there are so many ways we can incorporate different elements into one design. That's why this is super exciting and important for us to get community's feedback on what they like in each concept," Brayton said.
According to Passik, the playground area will be moved closer to the pavilions and stage area, on the other side of the island.
The new playground equipment will allow for more children to use it, and is more interactive, according to Jake Feltenberger, a sales representative with Kompan, the Denmark-based company that makes and installs the equipment.
"What we try to do is to create multiple levels - multiple ideas of play value," Feltenberger said. "So we have climbing, spinning and imaginative play."
Next steps
Passik said the Design Center will continue to work with the town, Madison County Board of Commissioners and local councils of government to identify grant opportunities for additional work on the island.
A Marshall contractor and developer hopes to convert the gymnasium, located behind the former 100-year-old Marshall High School building on Blannahassett Island, into a multi-use recreational center aimed at youths and seniors, called River Island Gym. Additional ideas included a skate park on the island, potentially on the land currently occupied by the wastewater treatment plant, which the town board has voted to relocate.
"The Appalachian Design Center is here to stay. I'm here to stay and continue working on this," Passik said. "There are a ton of really fun ideas in (the final concept)."
Town Administrator Ryan Cody told The News-Record the town feels confident that FEMA funding should accommodate Phase One.
"Phase Two, Phase Three will take conservations with property owners and other funding sources," Cody said. "It's going to be in a phased approach. I think people will be happy to see the playground back. We get some benches and some swings, and then we can reach for the stars on the other stuff."
For Cody, a Marshall native, seeing the progress at Marshall's largest recreational attraction is a step in the right direction.
"The island was used by everybody, so getting people back on the island and getting them recreation space, it's going to be good," Cody said.
Johnny Casey is the Madison County communities reporter for The Citizen Times and The News-Record & Sentinel. He can be reached at 828-210-6074 or jcasey@citizentimes.com.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Marshall's Blannahassett Island to get new playground, walking track
