What we do Last updated or reviewed on September 27, 2023 See what’s new with Asheville Parks & Recreation SIGN UP FOR MONTHLY NEWSLETTER Kooky, Spooky, and Scary October Events Is that a chill in the air or something more? Check out crafting, games, sports, outdoor activities, haunted houses, and more Asheville events in October. READ MORE Work Out for Less or Even Free Use APR fitness centers with an annual membership. Just $50 if you live inside Asheville city limits, they’re free for high school students (grades 9-12) and adults ages 60 and over. READ MORE Recreate Asheville: Shaping Our City’s Parks Help unlock the power of our community by building Recreate Asheville: Shaping Our City’s Parks, a plan to guide recreation programs, sports and leisure spaces, and parks for future generations. This is an important opportunity for Ashevillians to create a long-term vision and help inform how projects are prioritized to meet the modern needs of our city – from major improvements to existing parks (beyond just maintenance and repairs) to strategies that use recreation programs to build stronger neighborhoods. READ MORE Get the avlREC app Your mobile source that connects you to everything Asheville Parks and Recreation has to offer. Shelters, programs, events, WNC Nature Center, Aston Park Tennis Center, pools, parks, and much more can be found in the palm of your hand. Currently available on iPhone. With its oldest parks dating to the 1890s, Asheville Parks & Recreation manages a unique collection of more than 75 public parks, playgrounds, and open spaces throughout the city in a system that also includes full-complex recreation centers, swimming pools, Riverside Cemetery, sports fields and courts, and community centers that offer a variety of wellness-, education-, and culture-related programs for Ashevillians of all ages. With 10 miles of paved greenways and numerous natural surface trails, its complete portfolio acts as the foundation of a vibrant hub for the people of Asheville to connect with their neighbors and explore the natural beauty of a livable and walkable city. Driven by the promise that Asheville is a better and safer place when everyone from infants to retirees has the opportunity to be supported, healthy, and successful, Asheville Parks & Recreation was the first nationally-accredited municipal recreation department in the United States. Connect Address 70 Court Plaza, 4th Floor, Asheville, NC 28801 Mailing Address PO Box 7148, Asheville, NC 28802 Phone Number 828-259-5800 Email Address parks@ashevillenc.gov Athletics Weather Hotline828-251-4082Asheville Parks & Recreation on facebookAsheville Parks & Recreation on instagramAdditional LinksEvents Calendar Related Services Register for programming Register for parks & recreation programming such as camps and activities for children, teens, and adults. SOAR Financial Assistance Program SOAR (Scholarships for Opportunities & Access to Recreation) may be available for youth and teen programs. Athletics Information about adult sports leagues and youth athletics programs offered by Asheville Parks & Recreation. Enjoy Greenways Explore an interactive map of the Asheville's greenways and learn how to use them for your recreation and transportation enjoyment. Pools & Splasheville Hours and information about Asheville's public pools and Splasheville, the free interactive splash pad play fountain in Pack Square Park. Facility Search Find Asheville parks, community centers, and pools near you. Search by location, filter by amenity, or view a list. Community Events Find upcoming special events, activities, programs, and camps in Asheville. Picnic Shelter Reservations View Asheville Parks & Recreation shelters and make a reservation. Explore Related ServicesRelated Projects Roger Farmer Park In order to expand recreation opportunities in West Asheville, improvements at Roger Farmer Park include court resurfacing and field conversion. Recreate Asheville – Asheville Parks & Recreation Comprehensive Plan Recreate Asheville will serve as a road map for the next 10 years to connect, fix, build, and preserve recreation programs and parkland. Murphy-Oakley Inclusive Playground – Bond Investment Murphy-Oakley Park’s updated playground will intentionally address needs of this community through an innovative, inclusively-designed environment supporting physical, social-emotional, sensory, cognitive, and communication development. Explore Related ProjectsAsheville Parks & Recreation News Homegrown Talent: Shateisha Bowden Posted on October 2, 2023October 2, 2023 by Christy Edwards This entry is part of Homegrown Talent, an Asheville Parks & Recreation series that highlights team members who grew up in our community. Coming from the neighborhoods and areas where community centers and parks are located is a huge value to the city, bringing knowledge, connections, and insight that can only come from spending formative years right here at home. Park Views: Roger Farmer and Charlie Bullman Parks Posted on October 2, 2023October 2, 2023 by Christy Edwards This entry is part of Park Views, as Asheville Parks & Recreation series that explores the history of the city’s public parks and community centers – and the mountain spirit that helped make them the unique spaces they are today. Read more from the series and follow APR on Facebook and Instagram for additional photos, upcoming events, and opportunities. Asheville Parks & Recreation announces community-powered comprehensive plan input opportunities Posted on September 25, 2023September 25, 2023 by Christy Edwards As Asheville Parks & Recreation (APR) update’s the city’s comprehensive plan for public leisure spaces and recreation programs, that’s the question its team is asking at public input events around the city and through a community survey that can be taken from the comfort of home. Explore Asheville Parks & Recreation News
Register for programming Register for parks & recreation programming such as camps and activities for children, teens, and adults.
SOAR Financial Assistance Program SOAR (Scholarships for Opportunities & Access to Recreation) may be available for youth and teen programs.
Athletics Information about adult sports leagues and youth athletics programs offered by Asheville Parks & Recreation.
Enjoy Greenways Explore an interactive map of the Asheville's greenways and learn how to use them for your recreation and transportation enjoyment.
Pools & Splasheville Hours and information about Asheville's public pools and Splasheville, the free interactive splash pad play fountain in Pack Square Park.
Facility Search Find Asheville parks, community centers, and pools near you. Search by location, filter by amenity, or view a list.
Roger Farmer Park In order to expand recreation opportunities in West Asheville, improvements at Roger Farmer Park include court resurfacing and field conversion.
Recreate Asheville – Asheville Parks & Recreation Comprehensive Plan Recreate Asheville will serve as a road map for the next 10 years to connect, fix, build, and preserve recreation programs and parkland.
Murphy-Oakley Inclusive Playground – Bond Investment Murphy-Oakley Park’s updated playground will intentionally address needs of this community through an innovative, inclusively-designed environment supporting physical, social-emotional, sensory, cognitive, and communication development.
Homegrown Talent: Shateisha Bowden Posted on October 2, 2023October 2, 2023 by Christy Edwards This entry is part of Homegrown Talent, an Asheville Parks & Recreation series that highlights team members who grew up in our community. Coming from the neighborhoods and areas where community centers and parks are located is a huge value to the city, bringing knowledge, connections, and insight that can only come from spending formative years right here at home.
Park Views: Roger Farmer and Charlie Bullman Parks Posted on October 2, 2023October 2, 2023 by Christy Edwards This entry is part of Park Views, as Asheville Parks & Recreation series that explores the history of the city’s public parks and community centers – and the mountain spirit that helped make them the unique spaces they are today. Read more from the series and follow APR on Facebook and Instagram for additional photos, upcoming events, and opportunities.
Asheville Parks & Recreation announces community-powered comprehensive plan input opportunities Posted on September 25, 2023September 25, 2023 by Christy Edwards As Asheville Parks & Recreation (APR) update’s the city’s comprehensive plan for public leisure spaces and recreation programs, that’s the question its team is asking at public input events around the city and through a community survey that can be taken from the comfort of home.