From AVL Today - Asheville’s African American Heritage Trail is expected to be completed late next year, and organizers are seeking public input on the specific sites and stories that will be showcased. The goal of the walkable trail, which has been initiated by River Front Development Group, is to highlight the unsung heroes and underrecognized achievements of Asheville’s Black community.
In development since 2019, the trail will grow to include 19 physical markers in spots that include The Block, East End/Valley Street neighborhood, Southside and South Slope areas, Depot Street, and the River Arts District areas. The project will also have a digital component that includes a map of the trail and additional photos, videos, and oral history recordings.
For folks who want to offer feedback, there’s an online survey to share input and make suggestions on the local figures, stories and sites they think should be included on the trail. Some of the ideas already suggested include: Black student activism and desegregation, convict labor, and the Asheville Royal Giants baseball team. Once this round of feedback closes, there will be another round of community input in the early or mid-2022.