City News

Category: Wellness

What’s up AVL: This week hear from Parks and Recreation Director D. Tyrell McGirt

Posted on October 9, 2023 by Kim Miller

Director of Parks and Recreation D. Tyrell McGirt talks about the city’s comprehensive plan for public leisure spaces and recreation programs. He and Sam discuss how the plan will help guide the department’s decisions for the next 10-15 years to connect, fix, build, and preserve recreation programs and parkland. You can get involved as the department has invited community members to share innovative ideas at Recreate Asheville workshops and online at RecreateAsheville.com now through November 20, 2023.

Get outdoors in April with Asheville Parks & Recreation

Posted on April 3, 2023 by Christy Edwards

Thanks to comfortable temperatures and ample options for outdoor adventures, U.S. News & World Report recently named Asheville one of the top destinations in the world to visit in spring. Coming as no surprise to those who live here, April is a great time to explore the city. The outdoor experts at [...]

Picture of kettlebells with text: free fitness center memberships

Work out for free at APR fitness centers

Posted on December 21, 2022 by Christy Edwards

Asheville Parks & Recreation (APR) recently renovated fitness centers at Linwood Crump Shiloh and Stephens-Lee community centers – and community members can enjoy use of cardio equipment, exercise machines, free weights, open gym time, and more through June 30, 2023. During this time, APR will waive membership and daily pass fees so [...]

Wellness Wednesday: Pick the right resolution for the best chance of success

Posted on December 21, 2022 by Christy Edwards

If you’re making a New Year’s resolution, you’re not alone. Anyone who’s ever been to one of Asheville Parks & Recreation’s fitness centers during the first couple of months of the year has witnessed the arrival of “resoluters” thin by the week. Limited research concludes somewhere between 9-12 percent of those who set a resolution [...]

Wellness Wednesday: Stay organized at work

Posted on December 7, 2022 by Christy Edwards

You’re rushing to get out the door, but can’t find your keys. Or your water bottle. Or something else that was just in your hand. Does this common scenario sound familiar? After months of staying close to home to prevent the spread of COVID-19, many people emerged more organized than ever before. For those who’ve been [...]

Wellness Wednesday: Develop an attitude of gratitude

Posted on November 16, 2022 by Christy Edwards

As Thanksgiving Day arrives, many people start thinking about the word thanksgiving. It means the act of expressing grateful appreciation or thankfully reflecting on gifts, situations, or people that have brought benefits to your quality of life. Essentially, it’s an affirmation of goodness. Although it’s endearing to nostalgically think back on sources of goodness, expressing gratitude [...]

Wellness Wednesday – Daylight Saving Time can help recharge your sleep pattern

Posted on November 2, 2022 by Christy Edwards

“Hello darkness, my old friend. Soon you’ll come at 5 p.m.” Is that how the lyrics go? The twice-yearly ritual of adjusting our clocks by an hour returns this weekend. Daylight saving time (DST) in North Carolina officially begins at 2 a.m. on the second Sunday in March when clocks are set ahead by one hour [...]

Wellness Wednesday – Do you have a holiday wellness plan?

Posted on October 19, 2022 by Christy Edwards

Making a holiday wellness plan can help you stick to your goals and avoid playing catch up with a long list of New Year’s resolutions. Whether you’ve already been working on a goal or are just starting, it’s important to set realistic expectations and track your progress.

Wellness Wednesday: Cultural appreciation can help you understand yourself better

Posted on October 5, 2022 by Christy Edwards

For a city of less than 100,000 people, Asheville offers easy access to explore a variety of cultures, including your own – from festivals like the Hispanic Heritage Celebration and experiences like the new James Vester Miller walking trail to LEAF Global’s interactive museum and restaurants [...]

Wellness Wednesday – Make a budget and stick to it

Posted on September 21, 2022 by Christy Edwards

Before running a long distance race, many people start with a Couch to 5K training plan. The nine-week plan was designed to take someone from a couch potato to running 5,000 kilometers (around 3.1 miles) or 30 minutes. The plan is successful for many people because it builds slowly without overwhelming those working towards an [...]

Wellness Wednesday: Keep living your story at Asheville community centers for older adults

Posted on September 7, 2022 by Christy Edwards

Each September, community centers for older Americans celebrate the wellness, cultural, and social opportunities they provide. Asheville Parks & Recreation (APR) has two such centers that specialize in recreation and leisure programming for community members who’ve reached the prime of life. Harvest House originally opened as a retail space in [...]

photo collage of young people sitting on a wall, young girl holding fish, dog in pumpkin costume

Explore, connect, and discover with Asheville Parks & Recreation this fall

Posted on September 1, 2022 by Christy Edwards

Asheville Parks & Recreation (APR), like the community it serves, is constantly changing and evolving. In alignment with Asheville City Council’s 2036 Vision and current strategic priorities, the department is focused on Improving Core Core Services, Neighborhood Resilience, and Improving Public Safety. APR’s fall program guide reflects the department’s [...]