The Walton Street Pool and Park earned a local historic landmark designation last month, making it the 50th property in the county to receive this honor .
The 4.37-acre property has a legacy as a cherished public space, meeting ground, and recreational hub for Black residents — and it also has an application pending for the National Register of Historic Places .
The park, located at 570 Walton St. in the South Side neighborhood, first opened as “Riverview Park” in 1939. In 1948, a concrete pool and bathhouse was added to the complex — upgrades which “immediately began drawing unprecedented crowds to the park,” according to a newly published historical report.
“That was THE pool and THE bathhouse for Blacks in the city,” recalls resident Lawrence Gilliam.
Over the decades — despite the radical changes brought about by urban renewal and the challenge of “inconsistent and insufficient” maintenance — the park remained a “constant in the neighborhood,” with residents flocking for swim lessons, sports, and other neighborhood activities.
Even after integration began in the 1950s, the park remained a hub, drawing residents from Black neighborhoods all over the city, including Stumptown, Burton Street, East End, and Shiloh.
In 2021, Asheville City Council voted to close the 83 year-old pool due to infrastructure problems and announced plans to build a new $1.8 million pool in another part of the Southside community.
The dialogue around how best to honor the complex’s history is ongoing — most recently, Asheville Parks and Recreation has allocated $500,000 to enhance the space and highlight its historical significance.
What’s next for the landmark? On Saturday, Nov. 12, from 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m., Asheville Parks & Recreation will host a free “Flapjacks & Feedback community discussion at Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center.
There’s also a second survey open through Tuesday, Nov. 15 that invites input on the historic recognition and various facility upgrades.