Another Greenway section and Catawba Meadows Park to reopen Monday

Good news for Morganton families, outdoor enthusiasts, and weekend wanderers: Catawba Meadows Park and an expanded stretch of the Catawba River Greenway will finally reopen to the public at noon on Monday, July 21.

It’s been a long road back since Hurricane Helene battered the area, leaving behind considerable damage that forced months of intensive cleanup, repair, and safety inspections. But now, according to a city news release, visitors will once again have access to favorite attractions such as the Beanstalk Playground, beach volleyball court, disc golf course, picnic shelters, and bathrooms.

However, visitors should note a few exceptions: the softball and baseball fields, along with Beanstalk Ziplines and its associated parking lot, will remain closed for now. City officials haven’t yet provided a timeline for these areas but promise to share updates.

The reopened section of the greenway will be from the entrance at the River Village Access, going toward Catawba Meadows under N.C. 181, all the way to the wooden platform overlook approaching the Rocky Ford Access.

“After Hurricane Helene, our community was devastated with the damages done to our parks and recreation facilities. We faced loss, uncertainty, and a long road to recovery. Today, as we reopen Catawba Meadows and another portion of the Catawba River Greenway, we’re not just restoring a green space; we’re reclaiming a place of connection, healing and hope,” said Parks and Recreation Director Bryan Fish in a news release.

The section of the greenway from the other side of the River Village Access to the Silver Creek Bridge will remain closed due to the renovation of the boardwalk. The city is in the engineering and design phase and that section will reopen once the boardwalk is complete.

The City was recently awarded $1 million in funding for the boardwalk rehabilitation project from the North Carolina Department of Commerce’s Small Business Infrastructure Grant Program. The funding is designed to help and assist with infrastructure that serves small businesses affected by Hurricane Helene.

City Manager Sally Sandy said, “I want our community to know how much work and effort have been put forth for Catawba Meadows Park as well another portion of the greenway to reopen. This was a massive undertaking, and we still have a long way to go for the whole park to be fully functional. Please know that all of our Parks and Recreation facilities are just as special to us as they are to you. We will keep our community updated as we make progress towards completing other Parks and Recreation recovery projects.”

Park hours will be from daylight until dark. There are still areas in the park and greenway that will be under construction in the future, so the city urges people to use caution and be aware of their surroundings. Anyone who enters closed park areas will be considered trespassing.