Jean Gordon
Wednesday, August 20, 2025 12:05 pm
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The Lake Lure Flowering Bridge is being demolished this week due to its crumbling state caused by Hurricane Helene on Sept. 27, 2024. But while the volunteers who literally spent thousands of hours creating the bridge of flowers are heartbroken, they are regrouping and focusing their best efforts on the mission of making gardens of flowers in the areas of the bridge. Many of the volunteers have been involved since the beginning of the vision in 2010.
The bridge sadly sustained incredible damage due to the hurricane and could not be salvaged, reported two different engineering firms who studied the bridge's structure after the flooding. During the past months the bridge structure continued to deteriorate to the point of demolition.
The news was difficult to hear, but not so surprising due to the damage throughout Lake Lure, Chimney Rock Village, the Hickory Nut Gorge and Western North Carolina. Volunteers have formed a new task force to begin the next step in their mission of creating future beautiful gardens of flowers.
"We are a vital, active and dedicated organization and intend to use all of those skills in continuing our mission," said Kathy Tanner, longtime volunteer and Garden Chair/Chairman of the Board of Directors.
Volunteers will be replanting the east gardens in the coming month using plants that were rescued after the storm. Volunteer Debbie Clark has tended the rescued plants since October 2024.
"We still have the east end garden that didn't have much damage," Debbie said. "The west end where the Education Center is located had lots of damage due to flooding."
The Education Center which was nearing completion when the storm hit, flooded and needed repairs that are nearing competition. Debbie said volunteers are moving forward to install sewer hookups again and rebuild the parking lot.
"Once we have these items completed and approved by the town we can move in to the Education Center," Debbie said. Guest speakers, workshops, classes, educational exhibits and displays will be a part of the Education Center."
Debbie, Kathy and volunteers Susie Ellis, Laura McNeill and Lisa Willis are in the process of completing a new garden design by Oct. 1 with hardscape and planting beds. The next steps are to reinstall electricity and irrigation to the area.
The Garden Task Force met Tuesday, August 11 to discuss the development of the new west end gardens.
"We are very excited to finally be able to get started with our new designs. We appreciate everyone's support as we rebuild. We as an organization are very excited about a bright although different future," Kathy said. "We are also beginning to lead discussions about the extreme need for a new bridge. The bridge was a beautiful link between our communities and a tremendous asset to linking parts of Hickory Nut Gorge together. We are honored and humbled by the outpouring of support and love we have received from all around the country."
Kathy describes the bridge as their "gateway to something beautiful" - a special place to visitors from around the world."
"We thank everyone for that love and support and encourage everyone to keep an eye on us and join in the joy of what the future holds.
Lake Lure's Communications Director Laura Krejci said, "It was with deep sadness that the Town of Lake Lure announced that the Lake Lure Flowering Bridge must be taken down due to the significant structural impacts from Hurricane Helene."
Mayor Carol Pritchett said, "The Town's priorities at this time are to continue to maintain and restore Lake Lure's infrastructure and our beautiful lake so that future generations may continue to enjoy this very special place. The Town of Lake Lure is open for business right now and we are surrounded by beauty and so many enjoyable things to do...We hope you will come and support Lake Lure as we continue to rebuild," the Mayor said.
The beginning of
The Flowering Bridge
Bill Miller, formerly of Lake Lure, remains a champion of the Lake Lure Flowering Bridge. He brought the idea of the bridge to Lake Lure Town Council in 2010. He tells the story of returning from Asheville (back to Lake Lure) one day when he was able to view the construction of the new bridge across the Rocky Broad River and he said for the first time he was also able to see the arched beauty of the old bridge.
"I immediately saw it blooming in flowers, rising above the beautiful balustrades and hanging over its sides. On reflection I realized that this thought was inspired by childhood visits to the Shelburne Falls (MA) Bridge of Flowers," he said.
Miller took his vision to the Lake Lure Town Council and the rest of the story is history, he said some years ago, recalling the sheer dedication of all the gardeners, community leaders and other visionaries.
The bridge was slated to be demolished in 2010, but Miller presented his vision and Town Council approved saving the bridge. The State deeded the bridge to the Town and thus began years of planning.
A "Not Your Typical Green Party" was held in 2023, celebrating the 10th anniversary of the bridge and every person that had a part in the development.
At that event, Miller lauded the dedicated gardeners, community leaders with a great vision to create the gorgeous, flowering pedestrian bridge to somewhere beautiful.
The Flowering Bridge quickly became a tourist attraction drawing as many as 180,000 visitors per year, Linda Reandeau, a master gardener and marketing chair, told a reporter.
The Flowering Bridge brought serene escapes for locals and visitors; indescribable beautiful Christmas lights and decorations as well as crafted seasonal decorations. Volunteers hope it will continue to be a place of beautiful flowers and serenity to every visitor.
Donations for the future projects are being received (can be mailed to: PO Box 125 Lake Lure, NC 28746). For more information visit www.lakelurefloweringbridge.com.