Giving Back: Volunteering with RiverLink
This volunteer experience at Karen Cragnolin Park is designed to educate and empower participants around watershed health, with a special focus on Asheville’s post–Hurricane Helene landscape. We’ll begin with a guided walk along the greenway, sharing the history of Asheville and the French Broad River, the founding of RiverLink, and the role conserved lands play in regional recovery. Along the way, participants will learn about native and non-native plants, green infrastructure practices, and the ecological significance of this site.
We hope participants leave with a deeper understanding of the local watershed and a sense of connection to the community — knowing they’ve made a meaningful, hands-on contribution during their time here.
Accessibility: The route is mostly flat and about a one mile walk in total. There is a slight incline about midway through the tour, with limited benches along the way but stops in galleries where you can take a break as needed.
How to Prepare: Recommended active footwear and comfortable clothing and layers. The tour will take place rain or shine! Please come with a full water bottle and backpack or bag for personal items. Be sure to bring cash and/or card so you are able to support local artists!
After our walk and talk, we’ll transition into hands-on volunteer work based on site needs that day. Activities may include planting native flowers and grasses in the meadow, installing trees and shrubs along the river’s riparian edge, or removing invasive species that compete with native plantings. The volunteer portion will last about 90 minutes, with breaks built in.
Volunteers should come prepared with closed-toe shoes, clothing suitable for light outdoor work, a water bottle, and anything else needed to be comfortable outdoors for several hours. The terrain is uneven in places and tasks will involve garden-style work. All tools and equipment will be provided.