Southside United Neighborhood Association, with the support of Asheville Parks & Recreation (APR) today launched its community-wide survey to gather input on reimagining the historic pool area within Walton Street Park. The survey is open until May 31 and aims to ensure preservation of the park’s historic character while integrating modern amenities to serve the community for generations to come. The survey can be found on the From Pool to Possibilities project page.
Opened in 1939, Walton Street Park holds a significant place in Asheville’s history, particularly for the Black community. The pool and bathhouse opened in 1949, serving as a vital recreational space during a time of government-mandated segregation. Following a 2016 assessment that revealed significant infrastructure issues, the City of Asheville, utilizing responses from a community survey process, approved the expansion of Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center to include a new outdoor pool.
With the historic significance of Walton Street Park recognized through its designation as a Local Historic Landmark and its inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places, the focus has shifted to adaptive reuse. This approach seeks to honor the park’s legacy while exploring vibrant, reimagined uses for the pool area that may activate the space year-round.
“We are committed to preserving the rich history of Walton Street Park while ensuring it remains a vital community asset,” said APR Director D. Tyrell McGirt. “This survey is a crucial step in Southside United’s community-driven process to determine the best way to honor its past and serve its future.”
The community investment project, made possible by the overwhelmingly approved general obligation (GO) bond referendum, is currently in the planning phase.
Opportunities for Community Input
- Online Survey: Available from March 31-May 31 at publicinput.com/walton
- Spring Eggstravaganza: Meet the steering committee at a Southside neighborhood festival and egg hunt on April 19 from 11am-1pm at Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center
- Shiloh Fun Day: Meet the steering committee at a Shiloh neighborhood festival on May 25 from 1-9pm at Linwood Crump Shiloh Community Center
The City of Asheville encourages all community members to participate in the survey and attend in-person events to share their vision for the future of Walton Street Park.
“We want to hear from everyone,” said Shuvonda Harper, steering committee member. “Your input will directly influence the preservation of this cherished community space.”
For more information about the Walton Street Park project, please visit its project page.
Asheville Parks & Recreation: Explore, Connect, Discover!
With its oldest parks dating to the 1890s, Asheville Parks & Recreation manages a unique collection of more than 65 public parks, playgrounds, and open spaces throughout the city in a system that also includes full-complex recreation centers, Riverside Cemetery, sports fields and courts, and community centers that offer a variety of wellness-, education-, and culture-related programs for Ashevillians of all ages. With paved greenways and natural surface trails, its complete portfolio acts as the foundation of a vibrant hub for the people of Asheville to connect with their neighbors and explore the natural beauty of a livable and walkable city. As the city works to recover and rebound in the wake of massive destruction, some spaces are currently inaccessible.
Driven by the promise that Asheville is a better and safer place when everyone from infants to retirees has the opportunity to be supported, healthy, and successful, Asheville Parks & Recreation was the first nationally-accredited municipal recreation department in the United States. For latest updates, sign up for Asheville Parks & Recreation’s monthly newsletter, follow the department on Facebook (@aprca) and Instagram (@ashevilleparksandrecreation), or visit www.ashevillenc.gov/parks.