Tempie Avery Montford Center Complex Improvements On July 18, 2019 the City of Asheville held a ribbon cutting to celebrate the completion of the first phase of improvements to the park surrounding the Tempie Avery Montford Center Complex, a community center and 17-acre park located at 34 Pearson Drive in the historic Montford neighborhood. An honored guest was a descendent of Tempie Avery whom the center is named for and new signage commemorating the name change was unveiled. Key features of the project included: New playground Expanded parking New outdoor classroom Room to expand existing orchard New outdoor table tennis New walkways connecting park features Background In 2013, the City completed improvements to the Montford Recreation Center in the gymnasium by adding a new floor, new lights and a fresh coat of paint throughout the gym interior. In 2014, the City developed the Montford Center Complex Master Plan supported by a series of public input opportunities. The plan recommends improvements of the park surrounding the Montford Recreation Center. In 2016, the project was included in the City’s $17 million bond referendum to support park and recreation facilities improvement projects. The bond referendum was approved by Asheville voters resulting in an allocation of $1.7 million for the Montford Center Complex Improvements Phase I. In 2017, the Montford Center was renamed to honor Tempie Avery, a prominent African-American nurse and midwife who lived on the site in the early 1900s. Timeline 2013 Issued Request for Qualifications and selected planning & design consultant for Montford Center Complex Master Plan. Awarded design contract to Site Design Studios located in Asheville Completed Montford Center gym improvements with a new floor, lights, paint, and scoreboard. 2015 Completed Montford Center Complex Master Plan 2016 November: Bond referendum passes including funding to support Montford Center Complex Improvements Phase 1 construction 2017 June: Amended planning & design consultant contract for design services and administration of Montford Center Complex Improvements Phase 1 June-December: Develop design and construction documents 2018 Spring: Complete design and construction documents. Issue request for construction bids and award construction contract. Summer: Groundbreaking ceremony and construction begins. 2019 Summer: Grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony. Supporting Documents Montford Center Complex Master Plan Montford Center Complex Improvements Phase I Schematic Design Contact Information Asheville Parks & Recreation 828-259-5800 Related Services Register for programming Register for parks & recreation programming such as camps and activities for children, teens, and adults. 5 Services Athletics Information about athletics programs offered by the City of Asheville. Enjoy greenways Explore an interactive map of the City's greenways and learn how to use them for your recreation and transportation enjoyment. Pool and Splasheville information Hours and information about pools and Splashville, Asheville's interactive splash play fountain. Find a park, playground, or recreation center Find parks and facilities near you. Search by location or amenity, or view a list of centers and parks. Community events Find upcoming camps, events, and programs and reserve a spot when space is limited. Picnic Shelter Reservations View parks and recreation shelters that can be reserved and make a reservation. More Related Services Tempie Avery Montford Center Complex Improvements News Asheville Parks & Recreation Director Roderick Simmons to retire, following many accomplishments and improvements to department Posted on May 27, 2021June 14, 2021 by Polly McDaniel Asheville Parks and Recreation Director Roderick Simmons will retire after 14 years with the City and 31 years in the parks and recreation profession. Peggy Rowe will serve as Interim Parks & Recreation Director while a search gets underway for his replacement. Throughout his career, Simmons has taken an active role in innovative changes in the [...] Asheville Parks & Recreation launches virtual grand opening of Richmond Hill Park Posted on April 21, 2021April 22, 2021 by Polly McDaniel Asheville Parks & Recreation is pleased to share this virtual grand opening of Richmond Hill Park, a bond project completed with funding approved by Asheville voters in 2016. Additional funding and support was also received through a partnership with Pisgah Area SORBA (Southern Off-Road Biking Association) for the newly added [...] Registration opens for 2021 Asheville-Buncombe Senior Games and Silver Arts Competition Posted on April 6, 2021 by Polly McDaniel Asheville Parks & Recreation is proud to present the 2021 Asheville-Buncombe Senior Games and Silver Arts Competition in partnership with Buncombe County, the YMCA and Black Mountain Parks & Recreation. The games will be held April 19 through May 19 and feature a hybrid format of both in-person and virtual events. All in-person competitions will be [...] More Tempie Avery Montford Center Complex Improvements News
Enjoy greenways Explore an interactive map of the City's greenways and learn how to use them for your recreation and transportation enjoyment.
Pool and Splasheville information Hours and information about pools and Splashville, Asheville's interactive splash play fountain.
Find a park, playground, or recreation center Find parks and facilities near you. Search by location or amenity, or view a list of centers and parks.
Picnic Shelter Reservations View parks and recreation shelters that can be reserved and make a reservation.
Asheville Parks & Recreation Director Roderick Simmons to retire, following many accomplishments and improvements to department Posted on May 27, 2021June 14, 2021 by Polly McDaniel Asheville Parks and Recreation Director Roderick Simmons will retire after 14 years with the City and 31 years in the parks and recreation profession. Peggy Rowe will serve as Interim Parks & Recreation Director while a search gets underway for his replacement. Throughout his career, Simmons has taken an active role in innovative changes in the [...]
Asheville Parks & Recreation launches virtual grand opening of Richmond Hill Park Posted on April 21, 2021April 22, 2021 by Polly McDaniel Asheville Parks & Recreation is pleased to share this virtual grand opening of Richmond Hill Park, a bond project completed with funding approved by Asheville voters in 2016. Additional funding and support was also received through a partnership with Pisgah Area SORBA (Southern Off-Road Biking Association) for the newly added [...]
Registration opens for 2021 Asheville-Buncombe Senior Games and Silver Arts Competition Posted on April 6, 2021 by Polly McDaniel Asheville Parks & Recreation is proud to present the 2021 Asheville-Buncombe Senior Games and Silver Arts Competition in partnership with Buncombe County, the YMCA and Black Mountain Parks & Recreation. The games will be held April 19 through May 19 and feature a hybrid format of both in-person and virtual events. All in-person competitions will be [...]