MORGANTON, N.C. — Part of one of Morganton’s most popular attractions reopened Tuesday morning.
The Morganton Greenway has been closed since Helene devastated western North Carolina last fall.
Flooding from the Catawba River caused millions of dollars in damage along the Greenway.
Channel 9′s Dave Faherty reports the city of Morganton estimates more than 10,000 people visit the Greenway each year.
Officials were able to open about a third of it Tuesday morning and folks started arriving early.
Channel 9 spotted several people out walking the Morganton Greenway which was open at both the Freedom Park and Greenlee Ford parking areas.
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The city of Morganton said Helene caused around $22.5 million of damage to its Parks and Recreation.
About $5 million of that damage could be seen in areas still closed down along the Greenway Tuesday at the River Village boardwalk and the access point off of Highway 18.
There are barriers up in that area and city officials said they’ll have to rebuild along the river and the entire boardwalk will have to be reconfigured.
But folks who spoke with Channel 9 Tuesday said they’re thankful that the city was able to get at least a section of the Greenway reopened before spring.
“It means a lot to people here. It’s a greet-and-meet kind of place where everybody can get together, sit over there and eat, walk their dogs. Just a friendly place to be,” resident Dave Field said.
Pam Buchanan has visited dozens of times with her family over the years.
“I was just ready to come back and see what I could see and thank the Lord what was left,” she said.
We’re asking the city how long it will take to get the entire Greenway reopened. One thing slowing it down is the demolition of the boardwalk.
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