Beaver Lake /Asheville, NC
Here is a little history of Beaver Lake in North Asheville** In the early 1900’s, prior to being Beaver Lake the pasture land was known as Baird Bottom which was used for grazing cattle. There was also a trolley service that carried people to and from the transfer station that was located near Grace's Church on Merrimon Ave. The trolley went from Asheville to Weaverville so the city dwellers could escape the busy life they were living in Asheville. As time went on( around 1923) the trolley rails and the pasture land were flooded when they made Beaver Lake Dam. Right around this same time Merrimon Ave. became part of the eastern branch of the Dixie Highway system which extended down towards Georgia and Florida. The Lake was turned into a hub for people to picnic and swim. With the mountains surrounding this Lake it was the perfect place to gather the family and cool off in the summer.
The Lake today is not a place to swim, but with a permit you can kayak, paddle board ,canoe or walk your pup. The trail is fairly flat and it is approximately a 2 mile walk around the lake and through the woods. It’s a great spot to play frisbee or picnic and catch the last rays of the sun going down. There are fees for boating, fishing and dog walking which are reasonable as these fees help maintain the trails and park area. (human walking is free)
On the Marshy side of the lake is the Bird Sanctuary. Its is about ⅜ of a mile of boardwalk within a 10 acre space. There are multiple sitting areas to bird watch or to just sit and ponder. When life feels a little crazy this area is a calm place to walk and clear your mind. Take care of yourself and enjoy every moment.
