In 2016, Asheville voters approved a $17 million bond referendum for major improvements to parks and community centers throughout the city. Most of these neighborhood investments are complete, increasing opportunities for community members to explore, connect, and discover.
These projects were identified during creation of Asheville Parks & Recreation’s (APR) previous comprehensive plan. The department is in the process of crafting Recreate Asheville: Shaping Our City’s Parks, a new community-powered plan to guide decisions over the next 10-15 years. Ashevillians are invited to share their ideas and vision for the city’s recreation programs and parks at RecreateAsheville.com.
Bond projects allowed other APR funding to be leveraged during the same time frame for other major investments at Linwood Crump Shiloh Community Center, Weaver Park, Walton Street Park, Asheville Skatepark, and other locations. As upgrades and improvements were made, accessibility, safety, and energy efficiency enhancements were also added at all project locations.
Check out community investment details below or check out the City of Asheville’s Capital Projects Dashboard.
Central
Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center
- Neighborhood(s): Bartlett Arms, Erskine-Walton, Livingston Heights, South French Broad, and Southside United
- Project: Community Center Expansion and Swimming Pool
- Neighborhood(s): Livingston Heights and Southside United
- Project: Playground Replacement
- Neighborhood(s): East End/Valley Street, Oakhurst, and Beaucatcher Heights
- Project: Turf Replacement and Synthetic Track
- Neighborhood(s): Kenilworth
- Project: Playground Replacement
East
Murphy-Oakley Community Center and Park
- Neighborhood(s): Oakley
- Project: Basketball and Tennis/Pickleball Courts, Ballfield, and All Abilities Playground
North
- Neighborhood(s): Klondyke and Montford
- Projects: Basketball and Tennis/Pickleball Courts
Tempie Avery Montford Community Center and Park
- Neighborhood(s): Hillcrest, Klondyke, and Montford
- Project: Playground Replacement, Basketball Court, Expanded Parking, and Expanded Outdoor Plaza
South
- Neighborhood(s): Royal Pines Village
- Project: Pavilion, Restrooms, Expanded Parking, and Basketball Court
- Neighborhood(s): Oakley and Shiloh
- Project: Ballfields
- Neighborhood(s): Oakley and Shiloh
- Project: Land Acquired for New Park
West
- Neighborhood(s): Falconhurst and Rhododendron Creek
- Project: Playground Replacement
- Neighborhood(s): Malvern Hills and Sulphur Springs
- Project: Basketball and Tennis/Pickleball Courts
- Neighborhood(s): Emma
- Project: Pavilion and Restrooms
In addition to great public spaces, APR offers plenty of programs and events, weekly clubs and classes, and more. Check out these resources: