The next chapter for three popular French Broad River parks in northern Buncombe County is taking shape, and residents still have time to influence the designs.

Buncombe County Parks & Recreation is seeking public input on the future of Alexander River Park, Ledges Whitewater River Park and Walnut Island River Park after damage from Tropical Storm Helene.

An in-person design workshop took place November 5, but the county's online survey remains open through November 19.

That makes the coming days an opportunity for neighbors, paddlers, anglers, walkers and families to describe what they want these public spaces to become.

All three parks lie along the French Broad River, where the storm reshaped shorelines and stripped away vegetation and recreational amenities.

Alexander River Park experienced significant riverbank land loss and remains temporarily closed.

At Ledges Whitewater and Walnut Island, the storm damaged shade trees, riverside plants and other features that made visits comfortable.

Rather than simply replacing everything where it stood, the county is approaching the project as a chance to reimagine what belongs in these vulnerable river corridors.

The planning effort is being supported by the National Park Service Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance program, which provides design and technical guidance.

This federal partnership does not directly fund construction, so completed concepts will still need engineering work and financial support before improvements can be built.

Possible park uses include walking, fishing, birdwatching and recreational river access, all of which must be balanced with floodway restrictions.

Helene demonstrated how quickly the river can change the landscape, making the relationship between public access and future flood risk central to the redesign.

Some amenities may need to be moved or adapted, and vegetation restoration could become an important part of rebuilding safer and more resilient spaces.

County planners want to know how residents used the parks before the storm, what they miss and which activities deserve priority.

Designers will also have to consider whether the land and river conditions allow those uses without creating unnecessary environmental or maintenance problems.

The project schedule calls for concept plans to be shared in spring 2027.

Those concepts will guide a later search for money to complete engineering and construction, rather than representing approved projects ready to break ground.

Residents can find the survey through the county's North Buncombe River Parks Project public-engagement page.

People who use other river parks may also have useful observations about accessibility, signage, bank stability and the practical needs of different visitors.

The public's strongest opportunity right now is to help set priorities before designs are finalized, while the rebuilding process is still open to new ideas.