Osceola Lake is a small neighborhood 5-10 minute drive from the closest urban core of Hendersonville. The lake, like all lakes in North Carolina is manmade, and the dam (G) on the lake has been the center of some frustration, no longer suitable for vehicles to drive over causing a detour for residents on the lake. The lake is inhabited mainly by wildlife and a few fishermen can be spotted on kayaks or standing on the dam or shores.

The lake hosts a few inns (sites C and F) that remain from the more recreational use Osceola use to serve. The Hendersonville area has a long history of a place of rest, leisure, and recreation. The area served as respite from the hot summers further down the mountain while enjoying the rich natural bounty of the region. This legacy remains strong today and should be a safe bet for future residents of the area.

The immediate region surrounding the lake is mostly single-family residential on smaller lots (around half an acre) and most of the houses are decades old with new construction just now starting to infill some of the vacant lots. A few structures of note pepper the residences. As mentioned, a couple of the older inns still stand, providing modest accommodations to a few guests (C,F). A couple of churches (A,B) are still operational, but again, serving mostly congregations that drive to services. A newer fire station (E) keeps vigil over the neighborhood. An interesting historical relic is a school, the Valley Hill Elementary. Most of the school is now demolished but the gym and cafeteria remain (D) .

This is the fabric we will try to knit together. Like many American suburbs, each house represents an island of a community responsible for their own resiliency. These islands mean that the vacant houses stand out as wood rots, ivy overtakes the exteriors, and paint chips. The age of the neighborhood becomes more apparent as the common spaces around the lake suffer from investment of time and attention. Invasive plants have started to choke out plants on the bank of the lake, choking trees and collapsing into the lake. Helene caused mudslides, tore trees across, damaged houses, washed out roads, and wrecked piers.

So, how do we build back better and more resilient while maintaining the character and legacy of the region?