Asheville City Council Unveils Ambitious 10-Year Parks and Recreation Improvement Plan

Asheville’s Vision for Parks and Recreation: A Decade of Improvement

Asheville residents, listen up! Your city just took a major step toward enhancing our beautiful parks and recreation system. At the recent city council meeting on August 27, Asheville City Council adopted a fantastic new plan named Recreate Asheville: Shaping Our City’s Parks. This ambitious 10-year vision plan has been developed with the insights of community members, aiming to guide all future decisions relating to parks and recreation in our city.

Why This Plan is So Important

The Recreate Asheville plan identifies specific areas where recreational spaces are in need of some love and guidance. It also points out which projects will bring the most benefit to residents and outlines strategies to maintain Asheville Parks & Recreation (APR) resources for years to come. As APR Director D. Tyrell McGirt passionately mentioned, “We are thrilled with this roadmap that will help plan, build, and maintain public spaces in smarter and more beneficial ways.”

It’s never a simple task to manage a parks system as extensive and, let’s face it, a bit aged as Asheville’s. There will always be a need for ongoing maintenance and emergency repairs. However, the insights compiled from community surveys, workshops, and various events offer a solid foundation to tackle both short-term and long-term projects. McGirt noted, “We heard it loud and clear: give the most people the most access to recreation programs and spaces,” and this plan aims to ensure that happens.

Smart Prioritization for Greater Access

The beauty of this plan lies in its prioritization of projects, guided by the community’s feedback. Instead of just reacting to the voices of a few well-connected individuals, the plan ensures fair and equitable planning and funding processes. Residents have expressed that while they love the existing parks, they are eager for enhancements that will establish a parks and recreation system fit for contemporary needs—and even future generations. The feedback loop included a mix of community input and an analysis of the needs compared to parks systems in similarly sized cities.

Not only does the Recreate Asheville plan chart a path for improvements, but it also opens the door for securing grants and forming partnerships that will help realize visionary projects.

What’s Next for Asheville Voters?

Now here’s where you come in! Asheville citizens will have the opportunity to approve $20 million in general obligation bonds in the upcoming election. If voters decide to give these bonds the green light, they will provide crucial funding for many of the Phase 1: Short Term (1-4 years) projects highlighted in the plan. Sure sounds like an exciting chance to shape the future of our parks!

Focus Areas and Community Engagement

The Recreate Asheville plan doesn’t just stop at identifying projects; it has laid out five key focus areas for strategic investment. These investment zones have been carefully selected based on various needs, taking into account factors like equity, current conditions, park size, and overall experiences. This thoughtful approach ensures that the investment truly aligns with community needs.

To keep the dialogue going, APR Director McGirt will also host informal discussions called Park Bench Chats over the next few months. You can engage in casual one-on-one or small group conversations about the future of our parks. McGirt is enthusiastic about the idea, stating, “We believe that our parks and recreation system is strongest when it reflects the needs and desires of our community.”

A Treasure of Public Spaces

A reminder of what we have to cherish: Asheville Parks & Recreation has a wide-ranging collection of over 65 public parks, playgrounds, and open spaces. From our historic parks dating back to the 1890s to full-complex recreation centers and trails, there’s a vibrant tapestry of natural beauty and community connection waiting for us. It’s crucial that we all play a part in shaping how these resources evolve in the coming years.

So folks, if you want to stay in the loop about these exciting developments, consider signing up for the monthly newsletter or following the department on social media. Together, let’s explore, connect, and discover the potentials of our cherished parks!