GCA Supports Asheville, NC, in Wake of Hurricane Helene.
The French Broad River Garden Club Foundation received $10,000 from GCA to Restore Karen Cragnolin Park
.jpg)
October 15, 2025
By: Catty Andry and Ruth Goodridge
This Spring, after Hurricane Helene’s devastating floods, the GCA awarded The French Broad River Garden Club Foundation (French Broads), in Asheville, NC, a $10,000 GCA Restoration Initiative grant to partner with RiverLink to repair Karen Cragnolin Park along the French Broad River. Named after a long-standing director of RiverLink and French Broad member, the 5.33-acre park-- a former junkyard—was designed by landscape architect Thomas Woltz to be environmentally sustainable.
French Broads has a long history partnering with RiverLink, a vibrant non-profit promoting environmental and economic vitality of the French Broad River and its watershed. In 2009, the club was awarded the GCA’s $25,000 Founder’s Fund grant to create a master plan to remediate the former junkyard by cleaning the soil with phytoremediation (use of microorganisms to stabilize or reduce contamination). During Hurricane Helene, Karen Cragnolin Park sustained some damage to its plantings and wildflower meadow as the French Broad River raged through the floodplain but due to the native planting, it was less than other areas.
French Broad civic engagement goes beyond the park supporting many groups in the flood-affected community. Proceeds from French Broads’ two annual fundraisers, Greens Market and Plant Sale, amounted to $20,000 which was donated to the Asheville community, including RiverLink, Asheville Botanical Gardens, as well as funded scholarships at local colleges and universities. In addition, 18 GCA clubs donated more than $20,000 to both French Broads and RiverLink to support Asheville’s revival.
_19ixst4gqk9p7.png)
_1d8kbkg6jsald.png)
.png "GCA-funded Botany Scholar Collaborating with University of Wisconsin-Madison and USDA Forest Service Make Ground-breaking Study of Invasive Golden Oyster Mushroom, aka “Midas Mushroom”.")
_1bd74cual08za.png "GCA Scholarship Fosters Research Using Advanced Sequencing at Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden")
.jpg "GCA Funds Purchase of Canopy and Understory Trees and Native Plants Help Restore Habitat at Foote’s Pond Park")
.jpg "Scholarships Awarded by Both GCA and Its Member Clubs Help Fund Studies for Research and a Healthier Environmental Future.")
_e1jz1zht4164.jpg)
_16vuknwff2von.png "For over a century, The Garden Club of America has been successful in fulfilling its purpose and mission.")
_330gwdo6v025.png "Arizona Columbine Garden Club used the Common Ground Collaborative grant to help heat-stricken areas in Phoenix, AZ.")
.jpg "GCA in the City’s Interactive Programs Instruct and Inspire: See Fall Schedule here.")