Task Force 2 is answering the call of duty once again, this time to aid our fellow Americans in Texas. The devastation wrought by flooding in the Houston area demands swift and decisive action, and our Type I swift water rescue team is on the move. Over the past week, hundreds of people have been [...]
Free Bus Fare & Travel Training event on May 13, 2024
Free Bus Fare The City of Asheville is partnering with Strive Beyond and the Land of Sky Regional Council to provide free transit on May 13, 2024 in recognition of Strive Not to Drive Week. Passengers will not be required to pay bus fare on any Asheville [...]
Calling all Asheville homebuilders: Share your input on sustainability rebates
The City of Asheville is reevaluating its Sustainability Rebate Program and wants to hear directly from local home builders. The program currently provides rebates on permit fees for new or renovated one and two family dwellings built under the North Carolina Residential Code that include above-minimum state code elements like solar panels, energy efficiency upgrades, [...]
Rec n Roll delivers imaginative play throughout Asheville this summer
Since there is not a playground or community center in all Asheville neighborhoods, 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, [...]
Asheville Asks: What’s the scoop on this year’s Spring Litter Sweep effort?
Teams of community members and leaders hit the streets this April to carry out the annual Spring Litter Sweep. So what’s the word on the street? City of Asheville employees gathered for a 1 hour, lunchtime cleanup around downtown and collected about 30lbs of trash. Even though official totals for the whole event aren’t available yet, our [...]
Asheville teens visit Atlanta for educational vacation providing life experience and leadership development
Over spring break, a group of 40 local teens visited Atlanta as part of an educational excursion made possible by a collaboration between Asheville Parks & Recreation (APR) and Team Us. Members of teen leadership programs at Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside, Linwood Crump Shiloh, and Stephens-Lee community centers, they explored [...]
Transition in Asheville’s Transportation Department
Paul Ballard will be joining the organization as the new Interim Transportation Director effective, Monday April 29. Jessica Morris will continue to serve as the Assistant Director of Transportation. Ballard is a nationally recognized transportation executive who led transit systems in Fort Worth, Nashville, and St. Louis, among others, prior to his retirement in 2019. He [...]
Neighborhood Volunteer Spotlight: Drew Reisinger of Malvern Hills
The Neighborhood Volunteer Spotlight features Asheville residents who are making a difference in their community. are accepted on a rolling basis. For more information, visit the Neighborhood Advisory Committee page. Drew Reisinger, a community pillar, is this month’s honoree for his tireless efforts maintaining and beautifying the Canie Creek Greenway. Drew leads clean-up drives, [...]
Park Views: Montford Park
This entry is part of Park Views, a weekly Asheville Parks & Recreation series that explores the history of the city’s public parks and community centers – and the mountain spirit that helped make them the unique spaces they are today. Read more from the series and follow APR on
Recent statistics show a year on year reduction in property and violent crimes
At the most recent Environment and Safety Committee meeting on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, Asheville Police Department (APD) Chief Lamb and Captain Aardema updated committee members on city-wide crime statistics for the first quarter compared to the same quarter in 2023. Good News in Crime Reduction The comparisons are positive according to APD data. Statistics show an [...]
The City of Asheville allocates over $4.8 million to affordable housing projects via the Housing Trust Fund
The City of Asheville Housing Trust Fund (HTF) exists to support the development and preservation of affordable housing within the city. The HTF provides financial assistance in the form of loans to developers and nonprofit organizations to help create and preserve affordable housing units. On April 23, City Council reviewed 2024-25 HTF proposals [...]
City of Asheville approves fourth round of Strategic Partnership Grant awards
Award Announcement Asheville City Council approved last night, as part of Council’s agenda, the fourth round of Strategic Partnership Grant (SPG) Program awards and authorized the City Manager to execute grant agreements. Using Strategic Partnership funding, the City has awarded $237,000 in grants to five different non-profit organizations to help address the opportunity gap for low to [...]
Bottled water vs. tap water? In Asheville, the answer is easy.
In recent years, many cities have been in the news when water from their distribution systems did not meet national safe drinking water standards. It’s easy to understand why more and more residents are feeling concerned about their water. Some are choosing bottled water over tap, because they think it’s a safer alternative. However, take [...]