Recreation centers are located in neighborhoods throughout Asheville and offer a wide variety of programs and services for preschoolers all the way to senior adults. Citizens can choose from classes, fitness, travel, sports, cultural art and many special summer programs designed just for kids.
Recreation Center Hours of Operation
Center Rentals
All centers are available to rent for your next big event, birthday party or family reunion. To rent a center, contact the center directly.
Shelter Rentals
Many of our Centers have adjacent parks with picnic shelters. For more information about picnic shelter rental/reservations click here.
Each center offers an array of recreation services and special programs for all ages throughout the year. Summer brings special fun for kids at Summer Day Camp and the Summer Playground Program. See the centers listed below for more information.
All centers are available to rent for your next big event, birthday party or family reunion. To rent a center, contact the center directly.Many of our Centers have adjacent parks with picnic shelters. For more information about picnic shelter rental/reservations .Each center offers an array of recreation services and special programs for all ages throughout the year. Summer brings special fun for kids at Summer Day Camp and the Summer Playground Program. See the centers listed below for more information.
Volunteers
Centers rely on volunteers to assist with many youth program activities such as academic tutoring, flag football, basketball, and track. Volunteers are also needed as instructors for arts and crafts, music, dance and outdoor programs. To get involved, call (828) 259-5800.
Burton Street Center
Shateisha Lenoir, Center Director
134 Burton Street, Asheville, NC, 28806
(828) 254-1942 - slenoir@ashevillenc.gov
Burton Street Center features an auditorium, game room, billiard room, arts and crafts room, a computer lab, a weight room and a kitchen. The park surrounding the center features two basketball courts, a playground and a play field.
- M-F 2:30-5:30 After school program
- M-F 3:30-5:30 Teen Program
- Tues-Thurs 11am-2pm Senior Citizens Program
- Monday and Thursday nights 6-7 Yoga
- Community Association Meeting 3rd Monday of each month
- Community Thanksgiving Pot Luck in Nov
- Calendar Tea in April
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East Asheville Center
Christen McNamara,
Outdoor Recreation Program Coordinator
906 Tunnel Rd., Asheville, NC, 28805
(828) 251-4029 (c/o Outdoor Programs Office) - eastrecctr@ashevillenc.gov
Located in the Haw Creek community, East Asheville Center is part of the complex housing the East Asheville Branch Library and a fire station. The center includes a full service kitchen and a large multi-purpose room. Outside the center is a large playground, picnic tables, grills and a basketball court.
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Harvest House
Lee Dansby - RCD 1 Sr
“Senior Citizen Center” - NC Senior Center of Excellence
205 Kenilworth Rd., Asheville, NC, 28803
(828) 350-2051 - pdansby@ashevillenc.gov
Harvest House is located in the Kenilworth neighborhood of east Asheville and provides activities targeted to senior citizens. The center features pool tables, a loaning library, computer, and large and small multipurpose rooms. Several classrooms feature weaving, ceramics and a full-service woodshop.
Harvest House Senior Center is open weekdays from 9:00am to 5:00pm
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Exercise Options
- Slimnastics Class
- Balance & Flex Class
- Contemporary Line Dancing (Beginners & Advanced)
- International Folk Dance
- Rosen’s Rascals - Tap Dance
- Tai Chi Chih
Cards and other Games
- Pinochle
- Rummy
- Mah Jong
- Scrabble
- Cribbage
- Canasta
- Rummi-Cube
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Social Activities
- Monthly Potluck Luncheon
- Monthly Out to Lunch Group
- Monthly Daytrips
- Book Club
Affiliate Groups
- Asheville Playback Theater
- Ashgrove Garland Dancers
- Blue Ridge Scottish Dancers
- International Folk Dancers
- WNC Woodcarvers
Craft Studios and classes
- Full service Public Woodshop
- Weaving Studio with Classes
- Pottery / Ceramics Studio
- Jewelry Group
- Basket Group
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Montford Complex
Kim Kennedy, Center Director
34 Pearson Drive, Asheville, NC, 28801
(828) 253-3714 - kkennedy@ashevillenc.gov
Located in the heart of the Montford neighborhood, the Montford Center features the Montford Climbing Wall, gymnasium and two multi-purpose rooms. The center is surrounded by the Montford Complex with a playground, tennis court, lighted ball field and the Hazel B. Robinson Amphitheater.
The Montford Complex offers the following:
- After School Adventures
- Martial Arts & Yoga
- Hooper's Ball
- Summer Playground Program
- Montford Climbing Wall
- Asheville Badminton Club
- Asheville Table Tennis Club
- Open Gym Basketball
- Spiral Scouts
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- Pawndemonium Chess Tournament
- Biannual Community Yard Sales
- Climbing Wall Birthday Parties
- Hot August Night 5k
- Montford Music & Art Festival
- Community Halloween & Easter Events
- Fruit Tree Workshops
- Montford Park Players
- Home school Classes & Events
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Montford Complex Events
2013 Community Yard Sales
April 13 and September 7 from 8:00am-1:00pm; 25+ vendors sell their gently used items. Call the center if you are interested in being a vendor.
Hot August Night 5K
Saturday, August 17 at 7pm. This 5K race features a route throughout historic Montford Neighborhood. Fees: $20 adults 13 and over; $15 youth 12 and under. There is a $5 discount if you register by August 9.
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Murphy-Oakley Center
Kim Kennedy, Center Director
Charles Lee, Assistant Director
749 Fairview Road, Asheville, NC, 28805
(828) 251-4042 - change to kkennedy@ashevillenc.gov
Murphy-Oakley Center is located in east Asheville, and is part of the complex housing the Oakley Branch Library and a fire station. The center includes a full service kitchen, classroom and a multi-purpose room.
Oakley Park is adjacent to the center featuring a playground, baseball field, tennis courts, basketball courts and a large picnic shelter.
Murphy-Oaklehy Center Offerings:
- Afternoon Adventures
- Aerobics
- Clogging Classes
- Kids Night Out
- Holiday Youth Camps
- Home school Math & Chess Clubs
- Circle 8's Square Dance
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North Asheville Center
Dee Black, Program Supervisor
37 East Larchmont Drive, Asheville, NC, 28804
(828) 259-5809 or dblack@ashevillenc.gov
The North Asheville Center is a multipurpose center reserved for use by partner or affiliate groups. Call for a complete list of current groups and activities.
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Senior Opportunity Center
Kim Isley, Center director
Dee Black, Program Supervisor
“Senior Citizen Center” - NC Senior Center of Excellence
Hours: 9am-4pm M-F
36 Grove Street, Asheville, NC, 28801
(828) 350-2062 or kisley@ashevillenc.gov
Located in downtown Asheville, the Senior Opportunity Center offers a variety of programs for senior citizens. Along with a multi-purpose area, the center features a greenhouse, craft and sewing room and a billiard room.
The "Shining Seniors" Program provides a variety of activities and a hot, nutritious lunch Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Lunch is served at 12 noon. Reservation is required for lunch.
*There are restrictions as to who can be served the meal sponsored in part by Council on Aging. Interested persons should contact the center for details.
- Chair Exercise & Bands/Balls
- Bingo
- Billiards
- Arts & Crafts Classes & Workshops
- Quilting, Sewing & Knitting
- Pottery
- Lunch Bunch
- Acrylic Painting Classes
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- Bid Whiz
- Mobile Rehab Site (Physical Therapy on site Tues. & Fri.
- Board & Card Games
- Scrabble Club
- Blood Pressure Check
- Square Dance Clubs
- Women's Line Dance
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Linwood Crump - Shiloh Center
Tameka Crudup, Center Director
121 Shiloh Road, Asheville, NC, 28803
(828) 274-7739 – tcrudup@ashevillenc.gov
Linwood Crump – Shiloh Complex, located in south Asheville, offers a variety of activities for all ages, plus the Youth Enrichment Program offering recreation activities especially for youth. The center features a gymnasium, multi-purpose room, library, weight room and classrooms; and is surrounded by Shiloh Park with lighted ball field, basketball courts, tennis court, walking track and a playground. Contact the center to reserve the park or meeting rooms.
Special Programs:
- Afternoon Adventure
- Senior Trips & Workshops
- Senior Nutrition Program
- Community Association, 1st Monday of each Month
- Books & Book Bag Drive
- Adult Exercise Classes
- LEAF
- Shiloh Community Day
- Weight Room
- Open Gym
- Shiloh Elementary School Class Reunion
- Strong Roots Program
- Busy Hands Senior Club
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Stephens-Lee Center
Candy Shaw, Center Director
LaTanya McDowell, Assistant Center Director
Jessica Johnston, Assistant Center Director
30 George Washington Carver, Asheville, NC, 28801
(828) 350-2058 - chensleyshaw@ashevillenc.gov
The Stephens-Lee Center is located off S. Charlotte Street at Max Street. The center offers a wide variety of programs and classes for all ages, with special emphasis on wellness and fitness for women. The center features a gymnasium and fitness center with free weights, treadmills, recumbent bikes, Stairmaster, elliptical machines, chest press multi-leg extension and multi-pull machine. “Women only” workout times are designed specifically for women by women. The park surrounding the center includes playgrounds, a basketball court and the Dr. George Washington Carver Edible Garden.
Summer Youth Programs
Asheville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts is offering summer fun for kids with a variety of camps and special programs. For information or to register for any of these activities, call the contact person listed with each program. For other information about Asheville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts, call 259-5800 or visit www.ashevillenc.gov.
Summer Playground Program: June - August 2013
A supervised recreation program for rising first-fifth graders, located at Asheville area community centers. Activities include games, crafts, cultural arts and field trips. Runs 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. For information and to register, contact your local community center or Allison Dains at adains@ashevillenc.gov.
Summer Teen Program: June - August 2013
Looking for a cool and enriching alternative to the traditional teen summer camps? Try the Teen Enrichment Program, which offers creative activities, diverse and creative projects, field trips and more. This program is a ten-week program for rising 6th to 9th graders. For additional information, contact Stephens-Lee Recreation Center at 350-2058 or Allison Dains at adains@ashevillenc.gov.
Current Classes, Activities and Events at Stephens-Lee Center
Classes
- Women Only Workout-Fitness Center: Monday, 5:00-6:00 pm, free
- Men Only Workout-Fitness Center: Monday, 6:00-7:00 pm, free
- Step Aerobics & Weights: Tuesday & Thursday, 6:00-7:00 pm, free
- Zumba: Wednesday 6:00-7:00 pm, free
- Temple Fit Club (P90X, Insanity and more): Monday 5:30-6:45 pm, free
- Walking for Wellness: Monday, Thursday, 12-12:30pm; 1-2 mile route walk
Fitness Center
- Cardio equipment, free weights and more
- Individual Annual Passes (Jan-Dec): $75/Asheville resident, $80/non-resident
- Day passes: $5/Asheville resident; $10/non-resident
- Ask about discounted Family Passes
Activities
- Pickle Ball: Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 9-11 am. Fun game that combines tennis, ping pong, badminton. Paddles, balls provided. Cost: $1/day
- Afternoon Adventures: Monday-Friday, 2:45-5:30 pm. After school program for youth, K-5th grade. Homework assistance and recreational activities. Fee $13/child/week
- Tiny Tykes: Wednesday, Friday, 10 am-12 noon. Organized crafts, active play. Great way for you and your toddler to socialize! $1/class for toddlers and parents
- Birthday Party Program: Let us host your child’s next birthday party, with a variety of packages available. We’ll provide the space and clean up the mess…you do the rest! All parties have a 2-hour time limit and must be booked 2 weeks in advance. Contact staff for available dates and pricing.
- Saturday Open Gym: Second Saturday monthly from 12-4 pm
Events
- Black History Expo-Feb. 23, 2013 (added)
- Tiny Tykes Day- May 5, MLK Jr. Park (added)
Ongoing at the Stephens-Lee Recreation Center
- Afternoon Adventures
- Youth Holiday Camps
- Fitness Center
- Teen Program
- Black History Expo
- Community Garden
- Fall Festival
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- Odyssey of the Minds / Home school
- Step Aerobics
- Open Gym
- Stephens-Lee Alumni Association
- Pickle Ball
- Monday Night Open Gym
- Tiny Tykes - Toddler Program
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For more information on any activity, contact the center at 828-350-2058.
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Dr. Wesley Grant Sr., Southside Center
Randy Shaw, Center Director
William Hoke, Assistant Center Director
285 Livingston Street, Asheville, NC, 28801
(828) 259-5483 - rshaw@ashevillenc.gov
Located in central Asheville, the Dr. Wesley Grant Sr., Southside Center is the home to a variety of creative programs for all ages. The center features classrooms and an auditorium with a stage.
- After School Program
- Homework Assistance
- Open Gym
- Holiday Camps
- Kids Day/Night Out
- Family Movie Nights
- Girl Scouts
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- Back to School Bash
- Community Day
- Father/Daughter Ball
- Mothers Day Event
- Developing Future Male Leaders
- Black History Month Events
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West Asheville Center
Randy Shaw
970 Haywood Rd., Asheville, NC 28806
Phone (828) 259-5483 (c/o Dr. Wesley Grant Southside Center)
rshaw@ashevillenc.gov
West Asheville Center is located in the heart of West Asheville, and is part of the complex housing a fire station and police resource center. The center includes a full service kitchen and a multi-purpose room. A playground and basketball court are adjacent to the center. Call for a complete list of activities and availability of rental space.
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