The City of Asheville officially kicked off its annual celebration of Park and Recreation Month, as Council member Bo Hess, on behalf of Mayor Esther Manheimer, proclaimed July 2025 as Asheville Parks & Recreation Month in the city. The proclamation underscores the vital role of parks and recreation in fostering community health and unity, especially in the wake of Tropical Storm Helene.
A group of enthusiastic participants from Asheville Parks & Recreation (APR)’s older adult programs were on hand to accept the official proclamation certificate, serving as a colorful testament to the importance of local recreation opportunities for all ages. Their presence highlighted how recreational opportunities contribute to active living, lasting social connections, and overall vibrant quality of life for Asheville’s older adults.
Build Together, Play Together
This year’s theme is Build Together, Play Together, acknowledging the contributions of more than 160,000 full-time park and recreation professionals — along with hundreds of thousands of part-time and seasonal professionals, volunteers, and community partners — who maintain the United States’ close-to-home parks. Launched in 1985, this year marks the 40th anniversary of Park and Recreation Month across the nation as designated by the U.S. House of Representatives.
Strong communities like Asheville use this collaborative approach, recognizing contributions of community partners who work alongside dedicated and innovative parks and recreation professionals to enhance and expand services beyond what the department can achieve alone. APR remains steadfastly committed to strengthening mutually beneficial partnerships with community organizations to maximize resources, exploit diverse expertise, and ensure true community engagement to expand community access to quality recreational programs and facilities that promote mental and physical health, civic pride, and authentic connections.
Celebrate with APR
- Share your own Build Together, Play Together moments on social media platforms and tag APR on Facebook and Instagram
- Browse the Asheville Parks & Recreation Program Guide in English or español
- Subscribe to Asheville Parks & Recreation’s Newsletters
- Visit Parks, Greenways, Playgrounds, and Unique Spaces Throughout Asheville
Asheville Parks & Recreation Month Proclamation
WHEREAS accessible parks, recreation, and active living experiences for all community members are essential to the well-being and resilience of Asheville, a truth profoundly underscored by challenges faced in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Helene, allowing people of all ages – from young adventurers to active older adults in the prime of life – to explore, connect, and discover, even in times of recovery; and
WHEREAS the City of Asheville recognizes that a strong community is one that thrives on the ‘Build Together, Play Together’ philosophy, fostering social connections, promoting health and wellness, and creating a sense of belonging for every generation who call our beautiful city their home; and
WHEREAS impacts of Tropical Storm Helene underscore the critical role that safe, sustainable, and well-maintained parks and recreation spaces play in community resilience, providing areas for refuge, recovery, and gathering, and highlighting the need for continued investment in these vital resources; and
WHEREAS the City of Asheville acknowledges that responding to the challenges posed by natural disasters like Tropical Storm Helene and providing a wide array of recreational opportunities requires a collaborative approach, recognizing the invaluable contributions of community partners, nonprofit organizations, and volunteers who work alongside dedicated and innovative Asheville Parks & Recreation professionals to enhance and expand services beyond what the department can achieve alone; and
WHEREAS Asheville Parks & Recreation is steadfastly committed to strengthening these mutually beneficial partnerships to maximize shared resources, diverse expertise, and authentic community engagement, ensuring that all residents have access to quality recreational programs and facilities that promote mental and physical health, civic pride, and neighborly connections; and
WHEREAS through its collaborative efforts, Asheville Parks & Recreation is essential in addressing Asheville City Council’s community recovery priorities of infrastructure resilience, economic recovery, sustainability and smart growth, food security, and housing stability.
THEREFORE, I, Esther Manheimer, Mayor of the City of Asheville, do hereby proclaim July 2025 as ASHEVILLE PARKS & RECREATION MONTH and encourage all of Asheville’s residents to partake and enjoy all the parks and recreational opportunities the City and its partners have to offer.