Enjoying sunny days is the Asheville way and Asheville Parks & Recreation (APR) has events, programs, and opportunities to welcome summer fun, create smiles, and bust boredom. Browse highlights below and use these links to find additional opportunities including free meetups and clubs, exercise and sports, arts and crafts, and more each week:
The City of Asheville proudly celebrates National Public Works Week from May 18-24, 2025, recognizing the extraordinary contributions of public works professionals who keep our community running — especially in the face of challenges like Tropical Storm Helene.
We’re thrilled to share some exciting news—Jes Foster has been named the winner of the American Public Works Association (APWA) Professional Manager of the Year in Solid Waste!
Strive Not to Drive Week kicks off in Western North Carolina with free rides on all Asheville Rides Transit (ART) buses on Monday, May 19, 2025. It’s the perfect time to explore sustainable transportation options, reduce your carbon footprint, and see how easy it is to ride ART. On other days during Strive Week, bus fares return to just $1 per ride.
Asheville Parks & Recreation (APR) drives a colorful van full of games, art projects, and fun treasures to stoke the imagination into public parks and local neighborhoods throughout the summer. Rec ‘n’ Roll hosts Monday Imagination Days with free open play, Wednesday Theme Days with activities tied to a unique subject (advance registration required), and free pop-ups where anything can happen.
Do you have hard to recycle items that you need to dispose of? Join us for the next Hard 2 Recycle event on Saturday, May 3, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at A.C. Reynolds High School (1 Rocket Drive, Asheville, NC). Hard 2 Recycle gives you a chance to keep these materials out [...]
Curbside Management is partnering with the Association of Plastic Recyclers to celebrate Recycling In Action Month this May — and you’re invited to take a behind-the-scenes look at how your recyclables are sorted and processed! Learn more about Recycling In Action Month here. Join us for a public tour of the Curbie Materials [...]
Each May, the United States Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Community Living (ACL) leads the nation’s observance of Older Americans Month (OAM), a time to recognize older Americans’ contributions, highlight aging trends, and reaffirm the nation’s commitment to serving older adults. Every President since John F. Kennedy issued formal proclamations asking [...]
May-jor fun is in store with Asheville Parks & Recreation (APR)’s events, programs, and opportunities sure to inspire adventure and create community connections. Browse highlights below and use these links to find additional opportunities including free meetups and clubs, exercise and sports, arts and crafts, and more each week and throughout the month: Browse [...]
Happy Earth Month! Together, we have diverted over ONE MILLION POUNDS of food waste from the landfill! Thank you for your efforts in helping the City of Asheville/Buncombe County reach this important milestone! What a tremendous accomplishment! To celebrate, you are cordially invited to join us on Saturday, April 26th for a FREE, family-friendly event! At this event, [...]
Get ready for summer nights filled with cinematic magic as Asheville Parks & Recreation (APR)’s popular Movies in the Park series returns to Pack Square Park. This tradition for many locals transforms the heart of downtown Asheville into the area’s largest outdoor movie theater, offering free family-friendly films under the stars. Join friends and [...]
Our City and region continue to collaborate and make progress on Tropical Storm Helene recovery. The needs in our communities makes our actions to celebrate and support the earth this Spring even more meaningful. The City of Asheville’s Sustainability Department invites you to take extra steps this month to help clean up, beautify and restore [...]