This rendering shows what the western edge of Pritchard Park along Patton Avenue will look like once the landscaping improvements are installed.
With spring, the drum circle is back in Pritchard Park each Friday night in downtown Asheville. Also this month, Pritchard Park landscape improvements began, with the goal of making this vibrant community gathering spot greener, safer and more inviting.
So “pardon our dust” when the work happens. This work will be done in stages so as to minimize disruption to park patrons. At no time will the park be closed. The drum circle and other programming will be able to continue throughout the construction period.
Here are a few logistics to know as the Pritchard Park improvements begin:
- Work hours will be typically 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday – Friday.
- Orange construction fencing will be used to limit pedestrian traffic in current work areas. This will mostly be installed around the large mulched area around the large Oak tree and along Patton Avenue.
- Parking for work crews will be along the north side of College Street directly across from Pritchard Park near Tupelo Honey. The meters there will be bagged and the spaces reserved for their use only.
- There will be some work requiring loading/unloading from the loading zone in front of the police parking space, but that should be limited.
With this project, the mulched area around the large Oak tree and the area along Patton Avenue will get new landscaping and plantings, protected with decorative fencing. Irrigation to support plant and tree health will be installed throughout the Park. New lighting will be installed — including the replacement of existing light poles. Plus new and refurbished seating will be installed.
The project is slated for completion by the end of July, pending factors such as weather.
At its Feb. 14 meeting, Asheville City Council approved a budget amendment in the amount of $232,349 to establish a capital budget for the Pritchard Park improvements. The improvements to Pritchard Park are designed to contribute to a safe and inviting urban public space.
