Blannahassett Island

Project Snapshot

• Project Name: Blannahassett Island Engagement + Design
• Location: Marshall, Madison County, NC
• Type: Community-driven park visioning and resilience design
• Status: Active planning and engagement phase
• Partners: Town of Marshall, Marshall Parks and Recreation Board, and Mountain Valleys Resource Conservation and Development Council (MVRCD)
• Timeline: March – June 2026

Why This Project Matters

Blannahassett Island is a central recreational and cultural hub for Marshall and the broader Madison County region. During Hurricane Helene, the island was fully submerged, leaving its park facilities, including public restrooms and playgrounds, inoperable. As one of the few significant public green spaces in the area, its restoration is essential for community healing and long-term economic recovery.

Community Context

Marshall is a historic mountain town of approximately 800 people situated along the French Broad River. The town’s unique geography—squeezed between steep cliffs and the river—makes the island a critical asset for recreation and events. Following the catastrophic flooding of September 2024, the town is navigating complex recovery decisions, including the potential relocation of its primary infrastructure out of the floodway.

Project Goals

• Conceptual Master Plan: Develop community-driven conceptual designs for the public spaces on the island.
• Phased Expansion: Plan for the potential addition of 1.3 acres to the park area if the town’s wastewater treatment plant is successfully relocated off the island. This will not be incorporated into the plans for another few years.
• Flood Resilience: Identify legally permissible and flood-resilient recreational uses for the floodway.
• Safety and Connectivity: Re-envision safe walking trails, nature-based play areas, and improved river access points.

Community Engagement

The project employs a robust, “listening-first” engagement strategy to ensure the final vision reflects local needs.

• Stakeholder Collaboration: Direct coordination with the Parks + Rec Board, local business owners, and regional conservation groups.
• Community Engagement Events: Two events to first gather broad community expertise and priorities around Island designs and programs, and the second to garner feedback on the initial design ideas.
• Final reveal: We may host one last event to reveal the final design or it will be shared electronically.

Design + Approach

The Appalachian Design Center (ADC) has recruited a multidisciplinary team of professional volunteers, including site planners, architects, and graphic designers.

Process: The team transitions from research and community input to sketching conceptual site plans and creating high-quality renderings for public review.

Credits

ADC Team: Chris Joyell (Director), Julia (Project Manager)
Key Volunteers: Joel, Abby, Kevin, Matthew, Dennis
Partners: Ryan Cody – Town Manager, the Marshall Board of Aldermen, and the residents of Marshall.