On Saturday, July 8, at 10:45 a.m., ECO members and friends, birders, interested parties, and the public were invited to this special event in Jackson Park, near downtown Hendersonville.  The ribbon-cutting and dedication of the new information kiosk took place in front of the Administration Building on Glover Street.

The dedication was the result of a two-year project by members of the Henderson County Bird Club (HCBC) and ECO volunteers to replace the old kiosk that has stood since 1992.  That one was built by ECO … now we will share a larger kiosk with the Bird Club, since birding has become such a popular pastime along the Nature Trail that ECO volunteers built in 1990.

The festivities followed the regularly scheduled 8 a.m.second-Saturday birdwalk …  ECO and HCBC have cosponsored guided birdwalks in Jackson Park for several years on the second Saturday of every month.  The birdwalk prior to the dedication will be a special one.  Included on the program will be a presentation by the Wild For Life Center for Rehabilitation of Wildlife, featuring live, rehabilitated birds.

Dignitaries representing these organizations as well as Henderson County and the City of Henderson were invited to the event. While saluting the efforts of kiosk committee members, others were also recognized:  The vision of Barbara Neal and the late Larry Farar, the design and building talents of HCBC's Richard Gibbs, and the cooperation and monetary contributions of the Environmental Conservation Organization, the Carolina Bird Club, the Elisha Mitchell Audubon Society, Wild Birds Unlimited, Ventures, Inc., and the assistance of Henderson County Parks and Recreation Department.

HCBC and ECO will have the responsibility for future development of materials to be displayed in the two-paneled kiosk. Newsletters from each organization, some pamphlets, bird lists, and a clipboard for listing birds sighted are in place. Plans call for a Jackson Park trail map plus other displays and information.

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Jackson Park is accessible from Four Seasons Blvd.(U.S. 64), Fourth Avenue East, and Spartanburg Hwy. (U.S. 176) in downtown Hendersonville.

From Four Seasons Blvd., turn onto Harris Street.  Harris Street deadends at Fourth Avenue East and Glover St.  Take a left onto Glover St.  The Administration Bldg. is the first building on the left.

From Main Street in Hendersonville go east on Fourth Avenue.  Fourth Avenue East becomes the entrance to Jackson Park at Glover Street.  The Administration Bldg. is the first building on the left.

From Spartanburg Hwy. turn onto Glover Street.  Drive through Jackson Park to the Administration Bldg.  It’s past the tennis courts on the right.

For directions or more information phone the ECO office at 692-0385.

Jackson Park bird walks are very popular and are held on the second Saturday of every month throughout the year. If you would like to participate, meet in front of the Henderson County Parks and Administration building (near the tennis courts) in Jackson Park.

Brochure and Map Available from ECO and Henderson County Parks and Recreation

Jackson Park
801 Glover St.
Hendersonville, NC 28792
Open Year Round

Directions to Jackson Park:

Jackson Park is located near downtown Hendersonville and is easy to access off I-26. From I-26 Eastbound:  Take U.S. 64 West exit  (Exit # 18B) towards downtown Hendersonville.  Continue through the traffic light at end of exit ramp onto 4 Seasons Boulevard (U.S. 64) for 1.6 miles (passing 4 more traffic lights). After a wetland area on the left, turn LEFT at the 5th traffic light (Harris Street).  Go 0.2 mile to STOP sign at end of street.  Turn LEFT onto E. 4th Avenue, enter park and follow road to Administration Building (red-brick house on left) and parking.