The City of Asheville is excited to announce that the WNC Nature Center’s new red panda exhibit will open to the public on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2019 and includes the introduction of our new resident pandas, Leafa (pictured above) and Phoenix. The red pandas arrived at the Nature Center in November, have passed the [...]
Schematic drawings of the renovations to Richmond Hill Park will be shared with the community from 2-4 p.m. Oct. 21 at the park, 300 Richmond Hill Drive. Residents may drop in to see the plans showing proposed improvements including a shelter, a play area and restroom facilities. Richmond Hill Park is a popular destination park in northwest Asheville [...]
Have you walked through Pritchard Park lately? The improvements are done and the park has a new look. “Pritchard Park now looks similar to how the park was originally conceived and landscaped,” said Al Kopf, Asheville Parks & Recreation Planning & Development Superintendent. This urban oasis is newly planted with lush greenery accented by a low protective [...]
Ripe serviceberries are available for picking in Asheville parks, including Pack Square Park in front of City Hall. Edible serviceberries are ripening throughout many of Asheville’s parks, such as Park Square Park and Carrier Park. This native edible species is well adapted to our climate and feeds humans and birds alike. Serviceberries are early fruiting trees, fruiting [...]
Parks have always been important gathering places for members of our community. They give people of all ages an area for outdoor recreation and healthy activity, and a venue to take in the fresh mountain air. In November 2016 the community voted yes to invest $17 million dollars in general obligation bonds to [...]
The City of Asheville Parks & Recreation Department, in partnership with Asheville GreenWorks, has launched a new initiative to plant trees at all seventy-four city owned recreation facilities over the course of the next three years. The initiative is aimed at celebrating how trees enhance our environment and our community. Trees of [...]
Hello Asheville bicyclists! Do you use the velodrome in Carrier Park? Then you’ll want to know about upcoming improvements to the track. At its Jan. 24 meeting, Asheville City Council authorized City Manager Gary Jackson to begin this project with an engineering contract. That kicks off the velodrome resurfacing project, slated for completion sometime this fall. Parks [...]
Work will begin Jan. 4 to replace sod on the Roger McGuire Green and Reuter Terrace in Pack Square Park. The sod that was replaced in spring 2016 deteriorated under heavy use for what is sometimes considered “Asheville’s front lawn.” Last year there were 68 permitted outdoor events in this area. With some of them being [...]
No more portable potties at Carrier Park. Final inspections for the newly renovated Carrier Park restrooms/registration building have been completed and it is NOW OPEN. Thanks to everyone for their patience while the City renovated the restrooms! The project brings the building into compliance with the Americans with Disability Act. In addition to updating the plumbing, electrical and mechanical [...]
Interested in where to find information about the City of Asheville’s proposed bond referendum? A new interactive tool maps out where the City of Asheville would make improvements under three bond referendums that go before voters in the Nov. 8 general election. The Proposed 2016 Bond Referendum Story Map guides voters through some examples of [...]
WNC Nature Center Director Chris Gentile was sworn in as a member of the Board of Directors for the Association of Zoos & Aquariums Sept. 10. At the AZA’s conference in San Diego, he took a place at the table of an influential international group of leaders in wildlife conservation and zoo management. AZA represents more [...]
Come celebrate the end of pool season at Asheville Parks & Recreation’s third annual Doggie Dip September 10 at Recreation Park Pool, 65 Gashes Creek Road. The dip is from noon until 5 p.m. and cost is only $5 per pooch and handler in advance or $10 the day of the event. Additional spectators pay [...]