In 2016, the Asheville community approved a $17 million general obligation bond for park projects. The park bond funding has supported major improvements to parks and recreation facilities throughout the city and will fund future land acquisitions for parks.
We are excited to share our progress and accomplishments with you!
Richmond Hill Park
300 Richmond Hill Drive
Completed Summer 2020
Budget $593,000
Key features of this project in west Asheville include construction of a covered picnic shelter, year round restrooms, a new disc golf tee box at hole one, expanded green space, new accessible walkways, landscaping, site furnishings and parking lot lighting.
Playground Improvements
Augusta Barnett Playground, 25 Clinton Avenue, completed Spring 2020
Leah Chiles Playground, 123 Lakewood Drive, completed Summer 2019
Herb Watts Playground, 64 Erskine Street, completed Spring 2019
Budget $1.2 million
Renovated playgrounds feature new, safer equipment and improved ADA accessibility. Herb Watts Playground on Erskine Street near downtown and Leah Chiles Park in Kenilworth in east Asheville were completed in 2019. The Augusta Barnett Playground in west Asheville was completed in spring 2020 and has features used in the department’s therapeutic recreation program.
Park Lighting Improvements
Aston Park Tennis Center, 336 Hilliard Avenue, completed Spring 2019
Weaver Park, 200 Murdock Avenue, completed Spring 2019
Malvern Hills Park, 75 Rumbough Place, completed 2018
Montford Park, 345 Montford Avenue, completed 2018
Murphy Oakley Park, 715 Fairview Road, completed 2018
Budget $1.1 million
Existing lighting was replaced and new lighting was installed at multiple park locations throughout the city. The new lighting systems are significantly more energy-efficient, resulting in operational cost savings in addition to enhancing safety and providing additional hours of use for the community. Updated control systems allow park staff to remotely monitor lighting issues, updating programming and use.
Ballfield Improvements
Ray L. Kisiah Park, 70 West Chapel Road, completed Summer 2020
Linwood Crump Shiloh Center Complex, 121 Shiloh Road, completed Summer 2020
Budget $1.2 million
Improvements made at Ray L. Kisiah Park in east Asheville included installation of a new energy-efficient sports lighting system for all four ballfields. Old dugouts and fly ball netting were removed and replaced with new dugouts and new outfield and backstop fencing. Bullpens and batting cages were added to this sports facility. Finally, concrete sidewalks replaced gravel and dirt paths, providing an accessible connection between the new sports facilities, the ADA parking spaces and the round-about drop-off area.
At the Linwood Crump Shiloh Center Complex in south Asheville, ballfield improvements include new outfield and backstop fencing, bullpens, bleachers, dugouts, sports field lighting, removal of the concession building and installation of a new scorer’s stand. Additionally new sidewalks link the restrooms to the dugouts and bleacher area. The repaved walking path along with pedestrian lighting additionally enhance this park.
Sport Courts
Murphy-Oakley Park, 715 Fairview Road in east Asheville, completed Spring 2019
Malvern Hills Park, 75 Rumbough Place in west Asheville, completed Spring 2019
Montford Park, 345 Montford Avenue in north Asheville, completed Spring 2019
Budget $1.1 million
Complete replacement of the existing tennis and basketball court facilities at three parks was included in this bond package. These outdoor sport court projects included features such as new court surfacing, retaining walls, fencing, push button user friendly lighting, and improved accessibility. New tennis net systems, backboards, pickleball court lines, basketball hoops, landscaping, sidewalk connections and site furnishings were also installed as part of these projects.
Tempie Avery Montford Center
34 Pearson Drive
Completed Summer 2019
Budget $1.7 million
Extensive renovations to this north Asheville facility include a new parking area with rain garden and parking lot lighting. The front of the facility received a new welcoming entry plaza with raised planters. Around the back of the facility are the new outdoor ping pong tables, bocce court, re-vamped basketball court, shaded seating areas on multiple levels, a new amazing school-aged playground and the addition of new furnishings. New sidewalks and staircase link together the split level park.
The City’s bond parks projects are on schedule and on budget.
Additional images of projects are available in this folder.
Keep up with progress by visiting Capital Project’s Bond Project Dashboard. For more information, contact Asheville Parks & Recreation at 828-259-5800 or email parks@ashevillenc.gov.