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This is a 2-mile greenway located in the newly improved River Arts District on the east bank of the French Broad River. It was developed as part of the larger River Arts District Transportation Improvement Plan (RADTIP) which included improvements for road safety, flood mitigation as well as new public art and gardens. The greenway consists of a wide paved pathway for walking, running biking and skating. There is also a dedicated two-way bike-lane sandwiched between the road and the path. At Lyman and Amboy, you can take a right and continue to French Broad River Park and Carrier Park via the French Broad River Greenway on the west side of the river.
The greenway is named for Wilma Dykeman, an author and environmentalist who in 1955 wrote The French Broad, about the river and the region. She was a passionate advocate for the protection and rehabilitation of the river. Dykeman passed away in 2006.
There are free parking spots along Riverside and Lyman Street, and there is a free parking lot under the 240 overpass near the Smoky Park Supper club. There is another lot off Lyman near the traffic circle and boat launch.
The Wilma Dykeman Greenway is a sweet, new, multi-use trail. There are walkers, runners, skaters, dogs, and families along the paved walking path.
The dedicated two-way bike lanes make riding this a breeze. There is room for faster bikers to pass and no worry about cars as the bike lanes are protected by a low concrete barrier.
This trail takes you all along the River Arts District, where you can stop for coffee, food, galleries, and more. There are crossings, which should definitely be used because the road is pretty busy.
There are plenty of places to park for free, either along the route on the street or in the lots along Riverside Drive/Lyman St. Parking closest to Smoky Park Supper Club or White Duck Taco will give you the entire expanse of the trail rather than starting in the middle. Take the greenway all the way to Amboy Rd, where you can continue to go to French Broad River Park and the Greenway through Carrier Park, all the way out to Hominy Creek River Park.
*I've also rollerbladed on the Wilma Dykeman Greenway. There can be debris (branches, stones, etc.) in the bike lanes and the walking path, making it slightly treacherous for blading.
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