Named for an Asheville native who advocated for kids and teens during a long career as a police officer, substitute teacher, and member of Asheville City Council, this bright park with a playground, benches, and grills is a favorite in Southside.
Features
- Benches
- Grills
- Playground
- Wheelchair accessible
Parties and Rentals
History
Well known as “Watt Daddy,” Herbert J. Watts was an Asheville native born in 1937. A member of the Stephens-Lee Class of 1955, he was a gifted athlete and member of the school’s sports hall of fame. After high school, he attended Fayetteville State University before returning to Asheville and beginning a long career with Asheville Police Department (APD).
During his tenure with the department, Watts advocated for kids and teens through initiatives including Santa Pal, Man to Man, Asheville-Buncombe Youth Council, and Drug Abuse Prevention Education (D.A.R.E.), and as founder and director of Asheville Police Camp for At-Risk Youth. He also had a soft spot for the elderly, delivering holiday food boxes for many years. Upon retirement from APD, Watts served on Asheville City Council and as a board member of Housing Authority of the City of Asheville (HACA), finding an opportunity to convert a small lot into a neighborhood park on the corner of Erskine and Livingston streets.
“Through much of my 26 years with the police department, I wanted to find a way to help these kids,” he said. “I wanted that piece of ground turned into something useful for them.”
HACA purchased playground equipment using a Community Development Block Grant and Asheville Parks & Recreation (APR) handled installation and landscaping. When Erskine Street Playground opened in 1995, it became the first park in the city built using ADA accessibility guidelines. Three years later, it was renamed Herb Watts Park for the man who took such an interest in its creation.
“I didn’t do this by myself,” Watts remarked of the honor. “I had the support of others. This goes back to my childhood. If people hadn’t cared about me, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”
APR officially took over operations of the park in 2004 when HACA conveyed the property to the City of Asheville. As part of voter-approved bond-funded improvements at parks across the city, the playground was completely replaced with modern play structures, rubberized smooth surface installed, and additional grills and seating added in 2019 and 2022.
Photo and Image Credits
- When he found out Erskine Street Playground would be renamed Herb Watts Park, “Watt Daddy” wrote, “All my life I have had an interest in the youth of our city and believe they truly are our future.”
- Built as the first ADA-accessible playground in Asheville, recent renovations have modernized the space with smooth surfacing, new play structures, and an expanded footprint.