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Learn about the Franklink NC, Greenway. The Little Tennessee River Greenway, Friends of the Greenway, FROG, and more. FROG Quarters is your "Gateway to the Greenway." Hours Wednesday through Saturday 9am to 2pm Sunday through Tuesday CLOSED Make FROG Quarters your first stop when visiting the Greenway. Here, you can get information about enjoying the facilities and points of interest along the Greenway. You will meet some of the FROG who run FROG Quarters and help to maintain the Greenway. Have a great cup of coffee or a cold drink and a snack, shop for gifts, check your email using our complementary WIFI, inquire about availability and make reservations for the picnic shelters. Learn about the other facilities of the Greenway, such as the playgrounds , disc golf , and the bike trails . FROG Quarters is located on the right just before crossing the Town Bridge at the Little Tennessee River heading east on East Main Street across from Big Bear Park and the Women's History Trail statue. MENU The FRiends Of the Greenway and community volunteers operate FROG Quarters. It serves many functions: Visitor Center for the Greenway Gourmet coffee bar and gift shop featuring local arts and crafts. Greenway shelter rental Beloved local venue for Saturday Midday Music Nature book reference library courtesy of the Macon County Library Education about the history of the Greenway Fundraising for operations and development of the Greenway Coordination of Greenway volunteer efforts Communication of Greenway news an closures. Meeting and event space Law enforcement substation FROG Saturday Midday Music Enjoy donation-based live local music every Saturday from 11am to 1pm. FROG Jam CD Local musicians and artists have joined together to create a Frog Jam album to support the Friends of the Greenway, Inc. The album features local musicians who regularly play at the free FROG Midday Music on Saturdays at FROG Quarters. The album is available on CD or flash drive for $15 and can be purchased at FROG Quarters. Use this map to find FROG Quarters, Greenway entrances, hiking locations, restaurants, lodging, gas, groceries, supplies, and other needs in the area.

Friends of the Greenway is a member organization formed to supplement and support efforts in the care and enhancement of the Little Tennessee River Greenway in Macon County, NC. In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks. --John Muir, naturalist, 1918 Take a Greenway Tour! The Little Tennessee River Greenway is a 4.5 mile urban riverside walking, running, and biking trail owned by Macon County in the heart of Franklin, NC. It is home to over 275 plant and 136 bird species. It is recognized as a National Recreation Trail, a Monarch Way Station, and an NC Birding Trail. The park also features a Visitor Center, playground, splash station, picnic shelters with restrooms, dog park, boardwalk, wetland overlook, exercise stations, watercraft launches, historic bridges, butterfly garden, apple orchard, disc golf course, community garden, hops demonstration garden, bird nesting boxes, early literacy stations, Little Free Library, and mountain bike trails. With its varied habitats, abundance of wildflowers, birds, and other wildlife, it is truly one of Macon County's gems. Friends of the Greenway is a member organization formed to supplement and support efforts in the care and enhancement of the Little Tennessee River Greenway in Macon County, NC. This scenic trail is owned and maintained by the County. FROG played an integral part in the establishment of the trail and continues to provide volunteers to assist with trail upkeep and to raise funds for Greenway-related enhancement projects. FROG Quarters is located on Main Street near the river and offers a coffee shop and gift shop featuring nature, FROG, and Greenway-related items for purchase, as well as Greenway maps. The Greenway is an amazing community resource. It is our passion! What is FROG? FR iends O f the G reenway (FROG ) Follow on Facebook Donate Become a Member Become a Sponsor FROG Fair Vendor Form About FROG... In the late 90's, many local citizens shared a dream to have a Greenway follow the Little Tennessee River through Franklin, NC. With County approval, Sally Kesler, a local advocate, knowledgeable botanist and naturalist was instrumental in laying the groundwork for the formation of a a non-profit corporation to assist the County in development, fund raising and stewardship of the Little Tennessee River Greenway. In 2002, Friends of the Greenway, Inc. was registered with the State of North Carolina as a non-profit corporation. The organization had a vital part in the development of the Greenway and has contributed to improvements and repairs since the beginning. FROG is independent from the County and functions on memberships, donations, sponsors, and grants. Our Mission is dedicated to: Working with local government in stewardship of the Little Tennessee River Greenway Serving the community by providing enhancements to the Greenway Fostering environmental awareness through information and education Consider Hopping Aboard! Participation can be in several different ways: Become a volunteer Become a paying Member and advocate for the Greenway. Donate to support FROG projects Join the leadership team on the Board of Directors Plan an estate gift to ensure the organization continues activities into the future Volunteer Join Donate Partners Board of Directors FROG Means Volunteers Volunteers are members who want to make a personal commitment to work for the Greenway in some way aside from the greatly appreciated monetary contributions. These are the friends who identify projects or tasks and work to carry them out. Those with special interests and skills are invaluable. Together, this group works to improve the Greenway, promote the Greenway, and make enhancements on the Greenway. The founders of the Greenway have made a positive impact on life in Franklin, NC. It is now up to the present and new members to carry this great project forward. We always need fresh ideas and able bodies to do the things that must be done. Fill out the volunteer form below so that we may contact you. We hope that you will join us in continuing to create a legacy for all to enjoy! Volunteers are particularly needed in the following areas: FROG Quarters gift and coffee shop Greenway memorials coordinator General office work Program development Social media coordinator Trail work Plant identification Leadership-Board member Volunteer Form Contact Friends of the Greenway Send Message Thanks for reaching out!

Here you can donate! Contributions help FROG to thrive and enhance our public spaces.

Learn about the historical past and heritage of the Greenway. Greenway Chronicle History of the Little Tennessee River Greenway-"Pride of Macon County" by Hank Shuler, edited by Kay Coriell Providing a cornucopia of wildflowers and wildlife, the Greenway cuts a meandering path of nearly five miles through Franklin. Reflecting the extraordinarily rich diversity of the Macon County landscape, visitors can experience wetlands, stroll through two railroad cuts left behind by the Tallulah Falls Railroad, wander alongside an old pasture, catch sight of the desert agave, and experience the upland woods. This marvelous asset began as a dream. Many residents, including members of the Nantahala Hiking Club , looked at this long stretch of uninhabited land along side the river and pictured a place to preserve our landscape while offering expanded recreational opportunities for our community. Others saw it as a way to preserve our heritage and to bolster our economic development. In 1997 Duke Power needed a powerline through Franklin. The unusable land along the river seemed to offer the most logical route. At that time Nantahala Power and Light, though owned by Duke, was still an intact company with leadership that was an integral part of our community and aware of the Dream.... Read on... Historical Heritage The Nikwasi was a Cherokee town situated along the banks of the Little Tennessee River in what is now Franklin, NC. It has been found on maps as early as 1566. The center of the town was the council house built on a manmade mound. All that remains is the mound, located on Main Street a short distance from the river. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. The Nikwasi Initiative, a collaboration of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and neighboring communities, was founded to promote, interpret and link cultural and historic sites, like the Nikwasi Mound, along a Cherokee Cultural Corridor. To find out more, go to nikwasi-initiative.org. Learn More FROG Feats Raised Funds and Installed Original Playground at Big Bear Park Built the Butterfly Garden (designated Way-Station for Monarchs) Added Recycling Bins at Big Bear Shelter and Tassee Shelter Added 8 picnic tables to both Big Bear Shelter and Tassee Shelter Installed over 100 memorial benches along the trail Installed and maintained trail signs, mileage markers, and map signs Initiated the Disc Golf Course behind SCC Established a Dog Park at Big Bear Provided speakers on Greenway history, nature, and conservation Carried out removal of invasive plant projects on the Greenway Held various fundraisers to benefit Friends of the Greenway

Become a FROG member! Dear Friend, If you enjoy the Little Tennessee River Greenway, please support it by joining Friends of the Greenway. With your help we can continue to meet our mission in working with local government in stewardship of the Greenway. Our goals are trail improvements, sharing information on its natural wonders, and sharing the historical significance of this special landscape. New projects are planned, but continued funding is needed. You can use the form below and pay with credit card or mail this form with a check to Greenway Visitor Center/FROG Quarters payable to Friends of the Greenway. You can also establish a recurring monthly donation on our website here . Your membership and donations are essential in our work to make the Greenway better. If you care about the trail, join us with your contribution and encourage everyone you know who uses the Greenway to become members too. Thank you. Friends of the Greenway Board

Shelter Availability & Reservations You can check to see if the date and time you wish to use the shelter is available by calling FROG Quarters and leaving a message at (828)369-8488 or by emailing your request to frog28734@gmail.com . You will be notified of availability by email or by phone. Acceptance of date and time of reservation will be confirmed by email or phone call once the reservation form and check for $20 or $40 (depending on group size) has been received at FROG Quarters. The Reservation Form is available below. * Note: The Reservation Agreement Form must be signed recognizing the terms of use of the Greenway Facilities. If FROG Quarters is open, you can make your reservation, sign the form, and make your reservation payment. If not open, please consider the alternate email method. Your permit must be posted on day of use. The permit will be emailed to you or you may pick it up at FROG Quarters, if open. Fee Schedule: Groups under 50: $20.00 Groups 50 and over: $40.00 Printable Reservation Form Online Reservation Form To reschedule or cancel your event, please call 828-369-8488 . If you must cancel, the entire fee will be refunded IF you give 24-hour notice. The refund check will be mailed to the contact address within two weeks of the cancellation. Anchor 2 Your party/group agrees to: 1. Recycle cans and bottles where bins are available. 2. Obtain large trash bags from Frog Quarters on East Main Street during regular posted store hours. 3. Remove your bags so that the next party does not have to dispose/deal with them. 4. Post your yellow "RESERVATION" permit on the shelter clipboard during your event.

2019 SPONSORS H&R Block Cowee Mountain Ruby Mine Going Places Travel Appalachian Ace Hardware Ron & Jean Hunnicutt The Leathermans We Be Jazz”n Teresa Falzone Mainspring Conservation Trust BiLo Macon Furniture Mart Bill DeWandeler for Edward Jone Silver Threads & Golden Needles LeAnder’s Jewelers Art Room Gary Shields Tom Mossbarger for Mossbarger Properties LLC Macon Appliance Doodlebugs Walker Quilt & Walker Enterprises Red Press Co, K-Books LLC David & Jean Wright Cataloochee Dental Group Fahey Foreign Auto Service Geneese Gottshalk

Learn more about the Greenway's amenities: shelters, Big Bear Park, Wesley's playground, disc golf, cannoe put ins, exercise park, Suli Marsh, Salai Lane, Library Walking Trail, bridges, memeoirals, and more! The Little Tennessee River Greenway... ...provides opportunities for everyone to enjoy being outside. Paved trails, off-trail hiking, and bike trails are available. There is a nine-hole disc golf course near the Library and exercise stations at Centennial Park. The Butterfly Garden offers viewing of butterflies and other pollinator insects and flowering plants from Spring to Fall. Wesley’s Playground and the Splash Pad at Big Bear Park are great for children. The picnic shelters (Big Bear , Tassee , and Rotary ) are perfect spots for parties and gatherings Learn more by clicking on a location. Click on the map to download a PDF . SULI MARSH Big Bear park StoryBoard WalkS Butterfly Garden Exercise stations Canoe & Kayak Put-ins Disc Golf Bike Trails cc F S F S S W B Butterfly Garden W S B Library shelters Hops: A Settler’s Crop The Greenway honors our ancestors, both recent and ancient, and heritage in its trail and feature names, bridges, and memorials. The Greenway Trail is recognized by the National Recreation Trail and the North Carolina Birding Trail . The Butterfly Garden is registered as a North American Monarch Waystation . As a nature trail, there is opportunity for seeing many birds throughout the year, exploring various habitats to identify butterflies, insects, amphibians, mammals, and plants that call the Greenway home. Trail Sections Bridges Recognition Memorials National Recreation Trail The Little Tennessee River Greenway was accepted into the National Recreation Trails (NRT) system in 2008. The National Trails System Act of 1968 (Public Law 90-543) authorized the creation of a national system of trails comprised of National Recreation Trails, National Scenic Trails, and National Historic Trails. Each NRT must demonstrate that it represents its region, supports a diverse community, and is among Americas best trails. Today, the Greenway is one of 1307 trails federally designated throughout the United States. What to Plant in a Butterfly Garden? Monarch Waystation The Butterfly Garden on the Greenway was registered in 2006 as a Monarch Waystation . It is an intentionally-managed garden that provides food and habitat for the struggling Monarch butterfly population. Today it is one of 23,507 registered butterfly habitats. The waystation program is a joint venture by Monarch Watch, the Monarch Joint Venture, and the Xerces Society to restore monarch habitats. The monarch migration is truly one of the world's greatest natural wonders yet it is threatened by habitat loss at overwintering grounds in Mexico and throughout breeding areas in the United States and Canada. To offset the loss of milkweeds and nectar sources, the waystations promote the creation, conservation, and protection of monarch butterfly habitats. Butterfly Spotting Guide North Carolina Birding Trail The Little Tennessee River Greenway was accepted in 2008 to the North Carolina Birding Trail Mountain Region. The Greenway is one of 105 trails selected for this region. The Trail is made up of three regional components--the coastal plain, piedmont, and the mountains. It is a guide to link existing bird watching sites across the state into a cohesive and marketable unit while connecting birders with local communities, businesses and other cultural and educational attractions. The North Carolina Birding Trail is a partnership between six founding organizations:the NC Wildlife Resources Commission, Audubon North Carolina, North Carolina Sea Grant, US Fish & Wildlife Service, NC State University Cooperative Extension,and the NC Parks and Recreation. The purpose of NCBT is to establish North Carolina as a leading nature-based tourism destination and promote the value that is placed on protecting NC natural resources. Franklin Bird Club Wetlands There are several wetland areas on the Greenway--Suli Marsh, the Wetlands at Big Bear Park, and an area near the Butterfly Garden between the Shops of RiverWalk and the Greenway Trail are the main ones. Wetlands can be marshes and permanently flooded or flooded at times. They can be wet meadows with saturated soils or bogs where precipitation is the source of water. Wetlands that are called swamps have standing water and are typically in low-elevation floodplains along the river. All of these areas support specific types of plants that grow in saturated soils. Many birds, insects, fish, amphibians, and shellfish depend on wetlands as well. Wetlands are invaluable in improving water quality by removing nutrient contamination, other pollutants, and cleanse the sediment from the water before reaching the river. They can act as sponges and better control the release of floodwaters. These areas can help capture and store carbon to reduce the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the air. Meadow A meadow is an open natural environment with grass or an area without trees or shrubs. It attracts and supports wildlife and plants that require this type of habitat. It typically is allowed to grow and then mowed for hay. Mice, voles, foxes, deer, reptiles, and birds can be found here. The meadow on the Greenway is located in the Walasi Trail Circle behind the Library and has been named Poc Poggy’s Meadow. This was William Bartram’s Cherokee name. Woodlands Woodlands are areas that are predominantly trees. They provide a shade canopy and offer habitat for squirrels, rabbits, fox, coyotes, skunks, raccoons, opossums, and deer, as well as other small mammals, insects, snakes, and birds. Owls and hawks find homes in the trees. Songbirds, crows and ravens can also be found there. Woodlands, like wetlands, can be very beneficial. The trees can cleanse the air, provide stormwater and flood control, and help with the removal of greenhouse gases from the air. They can provide a habitat for native wildflowers. Woodlands are along the Tallulah Falls RR Trail near the Nickajack Bridge and near the Salali Lane parking area and Tassee Bridge. Urban Landscape The parks on the Greenway are examples of urban landscaping. Human intervention has changed the natural environment. There is more grass and open areas. The areas are designed to change the environment with newly planted trees and other plants. Wildlife There is a variety of wildlife that call the Greenway area home. The different habitats are best suited for different species. In the wooded areas, the wetlands, the river, the meadow, underbrush along the Trail, the Butterfly Garden, the side trails, and even the park areas, you can collect a diverse list. Whether you are interested in butterflies, birds, dragonflies, spiders, other insects, amphibians, shellfish, fish, or mammals, there are many just waiting for you to find.

Partner with FROG to continue to enhance Macon County NC, our town and public spaces. The Friends of the Greenway, Inc. (FROGS), a 501(c)3 corporation, is passionate about the Greenway, running thru Macon County and along the river. It is an asset to both the County and the Town. As we all know, it’s a beautiful area in need of preserving for years to come. What is needed to sustain our organization in its pursuit of a vibrant Greenway? It is the willingness of individuals and local businesses to support us. We receive no direct funding from the County or Town, although at times they help with bigger projects that cannot be accomplished by our group of volunteers. We have restored and now maintain the Butterfly Garden, procured donations for new signage along the trail, and partnered with the Franklin Bird Club in adding and maintaining birdhouses along the Greenway. To keep our doors open and to keep these and new projects moving forward, we need your help. There are several levels of support to choose from. Please review the options on the attached chart. Selecting to provide sustaining support will allow FROG to recognize you at every event planned during the year and to utilize your support in areas of greatest need. A donation form is also provided for your convenience. Each year the FROG Board establishes goals for the year. These are shared on our Facebook page (Friends of the Greenway, Inc.) and by email to all who have provided one to us. Our future plans, on sharing with all who travel the Greenway, the history and historical significance of the area along the trail is beginning to take shape. All we need is your support to make things happen. Won’t you be a part of our quest? Friends of the Greenway Board In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks. --Joh Muir, naturalist, 1918 View More FROG Quarters 573 East Main Street Franklin, NC 28734 828-369-8488 Download Sponsor Form

The Greenway is a public/private collaboration between Macon County, the Town of Franklin, North Carolina Parks & Recreation Trust Fund, NC Clean Water Trust Fund, Friends of the Greenway, many citizens and organizations in Macon County. The Little Tennessee River Greenway is one of more than a thousand such trails snaking their way across America turning old canals, abandoned rail beds and forgotten riverbanks into green recreational corridors. The Greenway represents a voluntary local strategy to preserve scenic, natural, historic, cultural and recreational resources and promotes increased public access to the Little Tennessee River through the creation of riverside parks and trails. Scroll through our site and discover what the Greenway has to offer, how you can participate, and other information on this beautiful area of Western North Carolina Check out the website at: mainspringconserves.org under Visit Our Properties. Love is at the heart of Nature-cation and worth more than most Educations

Learn about the Greenway's FROG Fair for the Franklin Community. ARTS & CRAFTS MUSIC & FOOD May 2, 2026 September 26, 2026 Volunteer Become a Vendor Donate FROG FAIR food purchases, donations, sponsorhips, and vendor registration fees will benefit Friends of the Greenway in their efforts to carry out improvement projects on the Little Tennessee River Greenway.

Become a FROG Fair Vendor! To Past Vendors and Potential New Vendors, Jan 18, 2026 We are pleased to announce that Friends of the Greenway will again host a Spring FROG FAIR. It will be on May 2, 2026 at the Greenway Visitor Center/FROG Quarters, 573 E. Main St. We would love to have you exhibit at the event. Sharing your artistic endeavors and special products with the community is important to us! All proceeds from your sales belong to you, only the registration fee helps us. Fees help cover our advertising costs too. This is an outdoor event, with food and entertainment. We’re making some changes in our breakfast and lunch offerings and hope they will be to your liking! The weather can be unpredictable, but we hope May weather will be kind to us Full requirements are included in the attached Registration Form and Terms and Conditions. Please review the revised Terms & Conditions, particularly related to set-up and break-down and new requirements related to “no smoking/vaping” and full coverage of your booth tables. If you would like to register for a spot, mail the Form, signed Terms & Conditions, and a check payable to Friends of the Greenway to FROG, 573 E. Main St., Franklin, NC 28734. You can also complete the form and pay with PayPal on our website below. Look for the "FROG Fair Vendor Form" button on the right side of the home page. You can always drop the documents and payment at FROG Quarters, Wednesday-Saturday between 9 AM-2 PM as well. We look forward to having you at our event. The earlier you commit, the more we can advertise your participation. At the same time that you send your registration, email a brief bit of information—name/business name, description of sale items, and 2-3 photos of products if you’d like to be featured on our Facebook page . We will start posting soon after receiving your photos, but can’t take any more 3 weeks before event day. The show will again run from 10-4 and you’ll receive a sign to put on your car dash to identify you as a vendor when you arrive. This will help our parking volunteers. The final instructions and your booth assignment will be sent on Wednesday prior to the event. There is no reserved booth assignment. Use the frog28734@gmail.com email address for communication. I monitor our emails from home so I should be able to get back to you promptly. Please note that if you choose to register on our website, there is an additional charge to cover our credit card fees. This is also true if you use your credit card at FROG Quarters. Looking forward to receiving your registration! Interest has been growing in our event, so if you want to guarantee participation, please register early. Rita St. Clair, FROG FAIR Vendor Coordinator Want to mail in your form and registration fee? No problem! Print paper form to mail in A single booth size is 10x10 and registration cost is $35.00 (check or cash) or with added credit card fee if using PayPal on the website or Square at FROG Quarters. No tables or chairs will be provided and no electricity will be available. Advertising for the event will be in the local newspapers, area flyers/signs, and on Facebook. For more information or questions, please contact Rita at frog28734@gmail.com . To register for the Fair, please complete the form above and make payment using PayPal or mail form and check to FROG Quarters, 573 E. Main Street, Franklin, NC 28734. FROG Quarters is open Wednesday- Saturday from 9-2 if you choose to drop off the form and payment. You will receive acknowledgement of receipt of signed forms and payment. 
 Terms and Conditions 1. Setup/Break Down: All Exhibitors must be set up and ready to sell by 10 AM on the day of the event. Exhibitors may begin setting up at 7:00 AM the day of the show or earlier with prior approval. Break down can start no sooner than 4 PM unless weather conditions require an early end to the show. Before leaving, be sure your area is clean and trash free. NOTE: The drive around FROG Quarters and Mainspring Conservation Trust is not easily navigated during set-up and breakdown. Therefore, access will be one way beginning at the FROG drive. Please empty your vehicle in front of your space and then remove it before setting up. For breakdown, only bring your vehicle in (also through FROG drive) when you have everything packed, including your canopy, and ready to load your vehicle. 2. Staffing: Exhibitor tables/booths must be manned at all times. Friends of the Greenway is not responsible for merchandise or display materials. 3. Exhibitor Responsibility: Exhibitor will be fully responsible for any loss or damage to his or her property by theft, fire, or casualty. Friends of the Greenway expressly disclaims any responsibility for same. Each Exhibitor is responsible for the conduct of his /her employees and/or representatives and activities must not detract from the image or welfare of the show. Each Exhibitor is responsible for selling their items and must keep their own cash. 4. Exhibitor Spaces: Exhibitor spaces will be assigned as determined by the FROG Planning Committee. Vendors must ensure that none of their display equipment extends beyond the space they have booked, including rails, stands, or additional equipment. Fully cover your display tables to the ground. 5. Vendor(s) per Table: There may be two Exhibitors per space, but each must register on separate forms, note booth sharing, and pay a shared fee of $45 or with an additional cc fee if using PayPal. 6. Acceptance: Friends of the Greenway reserves the right to decline any application for space if it deems such action is in the best interest of the Fair on County property. Each Exhibitor must be the original producer of the items sold. Each Exhibitor must be the original producer of the items sold. 7. Payment: The full payment is a non-refundable registration fee for the selected space and show . This fee will be used to cover advertising and other incidental costs associated with the production of this event. All proceeds benefit Friends of the Greenway. 8. Electricity: No electricity is available for vendor use. IF Wi-Fi is needed, be prepared to use your hotspot. 9. Tables and Chairs: Each Exhibitor must furnish his or her own chairs, tables/covers, stands, and canopy. 10. Cancellation of Space: Friends of the Greenway is not liable if weather or other conditions prevent the Exhibitor from attending and fulfilling the contractual obligation as an Exhibitor. No refunds will be made for weather, accident, health, or other causes for non-participation. 11. Alcohol/Smoking: No alcohol may be sold or consumed on site and there should be no smoking/vaping by vendors at booths. 12. Indemnification: Exhibitor agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Friends of the Greenway from and against any loss, expense, claims, damages, causes of action, injuries, suits or damages, suits to person or property, including attorney’ fees, arising out of or related to the operation of the Exhibitors at the Fair. 13. Terms & Conditions: Friends of the Greenway reserves the right to make changes to these Terms and Conditions as necessary. 14. Health Requirements: Have hand sanitizer available at each booth. Other requirements will be determined based on State and County Health Department requirements.