For us? You shouldn’t have. We think living in the Land of the Sky is the greatest gift of all, but over the years, Asheville has been on the receiving end of some truly special gestures that reflect the heart and soul of the community. From playful sculptures and historical land donations to the outpouring of support after Hurricane Helene, these gifts given to Asheville speak to the spirit of the city.
“Cat Walk” | Head up, keep walking between Battery Park Avenue and Otis Street to spy three curious cat sculptures, marking spot No. 9 on the historic 1.7-mile Urban Trail. Sculpted by Vadim Bora, the tiny bronze figures are modeled after the cats of the Lavelle family, who sponsored the station in 2000.
George Willis Pack land contributions | George Willis Pack, a lumberman and prominent Asheville benefactor, purchased land and buildings for the Asheville Public Library in 1899. In 1901, the philanthropist donated land to Buncombe County on College Street, with the condition that the existing courthouse be demolished and replaced with a new one, and the rest of the land was turned into a public park. In recognition of his contributions, ‘Court Square’ was renamed ‘Pack Square’ in 1903, and the Pack Memorial Public Library was established in 1911.
Ongoing Hurricane Helene recovery support | What’s the most meaningful gift we’ve received this season? While it’s difficult to properly recognize every person, small business, company, or organization that has supported WNC during its Hurricane Helene recovery efforts — from Asheville to Taiwan — their contributions certainly haven’t gone unnoticed.
Nonprofits like BeLoved Asheville, MANNA FoodBank, and so many others have been instrumental in helping the community recover, providing critical necessities, and looking ahead to rebuild. Signs of hope, like the Flood Back Love mural in the RAD, remind us how resilient our city is.
