From Staff Reports

FLAT ROCK — The Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site  — after being closed since Sept. 27 due to damage it sustained from Tropical Storm Helene — has partially open for hiking, but a number of facilities remain closed.

“The hikers’ lot with access to most grounds and trails was opened to public access on Dec. 23, as part of a phased re-opening at Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site at 81 Carl Sandburg Lane” in Flat Rock, the Hendersonville Times-News reported on Dec. 23.

Specififally, the popular Glassy Mountain and Little Glassy Mountain trails are open.

Meanwhile, Carl Sandburg Home Superintendent Polly Angelakis told Asheville television station WLOS (News 13) on Dec. 26 the following:

 â€œThis is an extremely important detail: The Sandburg Home isn’t reopening... only the hikers’ lot, grounds and trails are open,” Angelakis told News 13 on Dec. 26.

Also now available in the garage near the Sandburg Home are videos, passport stamps, bark ranger information and junior ranger booklets.

Angelakis, the park superintendent, told the Times-News, the following:

“We are excited to welcome visitors back to the park during our partial re-opening and thank everyone for their patience during our continued cleanup and repair efforts.” 

Services and facilities that will remain closed during this initial re-opening phase include the Sandburg Home and tours, park store, barn, Front Lake (parking lot and trail, drinking water and flush toilets. 

Portable toilets are available for visitors and are located at the hikers’ lot, amphitheater entrance, and by the restrooms near the Sandburg Home. The portable toilets will be in use until further notice while the park goes through the funding, compliance, and repair processes to fix the main sewer line, which was destroyed by flooding from Tropical Storm Helene.

The Times-News added, “The Front Lake parking lot and trail remain closed. Helene flooding washed out two bridges on this trail and carved a deep ravine. There is no way to access park grounds, buildings, or trails from Front Lake. 

“The park is going through the funding, compliance, and contracting processes to install a temporary bridge so the Front Lake parking lot and trail can reopen.

“Front Lake dam, which failed in 2022, suffered further destruction by Helene. The new damage is substantial. The previously approved repair plan, which included design, compliance, contracting, and a 2025-26 timetable, must be redone due to the additional, substantial damage.”