The Henderson County Board of Commissioners is soliciting services from qualified engineering
firms to provide feasibility and engineering evaluation of Jackson Park in Hendersonville, NC. The Jackson Park (Park) Feasibility and Engineering Study is a study of Mud Creek, Bat Fork, and
associated drainage ditches within the Park to identify ways to improve stormwater management,
floodplain connectivity, wetlands, recreational opportunities, and stream restoration at Jackson
Park (Park), Henderson County, NC.
Jackson Park is the largest County owned park, nearly 200 acres, in Henderson County. It offers a
variety of amenities from picnic shelters to various ball fields. Every week, the park is hosting
multiple events, whether it is baseball, softball or soccer games or other events like Farm City Day
or cross-country races. Unfortunately, all the soccer fields are located within the 100-year
Floodplain and floods about six times per year. As a result, many of the walking trails and bird
viewing areas and soccer fields are unusable or inaccessible for a week or more. Trails and fields
are often left with several inches of mud on top, which must be removed for the safety of visitors.
Play is typically limited for about a week after a flooding event. The Park sits between two large
streams, Mud Creek, and Bat Fork Creek. In addition, there are two historic drainage ditches on the
property with wetlands dappled throughout. Wetlands are also present in the low-lying areas, but
the connectivity to the drainage ditches and streams is disorganized and limits the ecological
potential of the site. There are several berms remaining from past farming practices which inhibit
drainage of floodwater from the park. Beavers have also become a nuisance by building dams in
numerous places throughout the Park. Because of these limitations, the Board of Commissioners
has tasked staff to develop a plan for improvements by means of a Feasibility and Engineering
Study of Jackson Park.
The study will evaluate existing conditions, stormwater runoff and management, potential
floodplain, stream, and wetland improvements and recreational opportunities. Due to a long-time
presence of beavers within the Park, consideration of how to manage beavers within the Park
should be included. Project Schedule: Shall include a proposed project schedule. The study should be completed
within one year from initiation of the contract. Pursuant to General Statutes of North Carolina Sections 143-128 and 143-131, the County
encourages and provides equal opportunity for Certified Minority and Women- Owned Business
Enterprise (MWBE) businesses to participate in all aspects of the County's contracting and
procurement programs.
For Disadvantaged Business Enterprise requirements, see Minority Business Participation
Guidelines posted under Doing Business with Henderson County at website
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