08.29.2024

Today’s Forecast

90º | 24% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 7:00 a.m. | Sunset 8:00 p.m.

Parks plan pushes forward

Asheville City Council adopts the Recreate Asheville plan

Phase one includes redevelopment of the Shiloh Community Center. | Photo via City of Asheville

At Tuesday’s meeting, the City Council adopted Asheville Parks and Recreation’s (APR) Recreate Asheville plan. This plan will guide the park system’s strategies, priorities, and projects for the next 10 years.

In November, Ashevillians will see $80 million in general obligation bonds on the ballot — and $20 million will be allocated to parks and recreation. If approved, that money will fund the Recreate plan’s first phase, which would span one to four years. Here’s what phase one includes:

Upgrades to Burton Street, Murray Hill, Walton Street, Recreation, Malvern Hills, and Roger Farmer parks
Major redevelopment projects for Linwood Crump Shiloh and Tempie Avery Montford community centers
A new park on Sweeten Creek Road
A new pickleball complex and aquatic facility
Significant maintenance across the APR system

Of the $20 million investment for phase one, $9 million would cover the community center redevelopment projects and the remaining $11 million would cover the other projects.

If you want to know what else is around the corner, see the mid- and long-term goals outlined in future phases of the project, including more new parks, park upgrades, and special use facilities.

We’re excited for the improvements to come — but in the meantime, there’s still plenty of fun to be had in Asheville’s green spaces. Explore these local parks while you wait for phase one to unfold:

Family parks

Weaver Park, 200 Murdock Ave.
After an afternoon of frolicking in the park, playing on the playground, and practicing your three-pointer on the basketball court, you can head down the street to The Hop for a cold treat.

Sports parks

Kenilworth Park, 79 Wyoming Rd.
Channel your inner Sporty Spice by hitting the basketball court and the racquet courts lined for both tennis and pickleball. Plus, the field is a perfect spot to kick the soccer ball around.

20+ more picturesque parks

Asked

How frequently do you engage in outdoor activities like hiking, trail running, or nature walks?

A. Once a week
B. A few times a week
C. Once a month
D. A few times a month

Park it right here

Events

Thursday, Aug. 29

Hear Foot Soldier | Thursday, Aug. 29 | 5-6:30 p.m. | Black Wall Street | Free | Linda Holmes will share firsthand accounts of Bloody Sunday, and donations will be collected to restore Brown Chapel AME Church.
Vinyl Night with DJ Lil Meow Meow | Thursday, Aug. 29 | 8-11 p.m. | Cultura | Free | Enjoy half-priced bottles of wine all evening + groove to live beats from local DJ Lil Meow Meow.*

Friday, Aug. 30

Friends of the Skyland Library Book Sale | Friday, Aug. 30-Saturday, Aug. 31 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Skyland/South Buncombe Library | Free | Pick from thousands of fiction and nonfiction titles, DVDs, CDs, and puzzles, with prices starting at $0.50.
Factory Fridays | Friday, Aug. 30 | 1-4 p.m. | Diamond Brand Gear | Free | Tour the outdoor gear brand’s factory to see how the products are made and shop deals on factory seconds and overstock items.

Saturday, Aug. 31

Overdose Awareness Day Ceremony | Saturday, Aug. 31 | 12-5 p.m. | Carrier Park Pavilion | Free | Hosted by SeekHealing, this community event offers people impacted by drug overdose a chance to reflect and grieve with panels, demonstrations, and storytelling.
Juvenile w/ The 400 Degreez Band | Saturday, Aug. 31 | 7 p.m. | Rabbit Rabbit | $50-$65 | It’s the 25th anniversary of “Back That Azz Up” — so you know what to do.
Canna Comic Cuisine Infused Dinner & Comedy Show | Saturday, Aug. 31 | 7-8:30 p.m. | The Green Room | $35-$149 | Enjoy a three-course, cannabis-infused dinner while comics Petey Smith McDowell, Jenn Snyder, and Patrick Fowler offer entertainment.

Sunday, Sept. 1

Junk-O-Rama Vintage Flea Market | Sunday, Sept. 1 | 11 a.m.-5 p.m. | Fleetwood’s | Free | Find vintage clothing, crafts, antiques, and more from local vendors.
New Moon Circle: Yoga & Ritual | Sunday, Sept. 1 | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | West Asheville Yoga Studio | $25-$35 | Sierra Hollister will lead the evening as you center yourself under the new moon.

Ready for Labor Day weekend?

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News Notes

Open

Chef Luis Martinez’s Taqueria Rosita opens for business inside The Odd tonight, Aug. 29, from 4 to 9 p.m. It will also be open tomorrow at the same time, before starting regular hours (Wednesday-Friday, 4 -11 p.m.) beginning Wednesday, Sept. 4. See the full menu of Mexican street food.

Civic

Asheville City Council granted an extension to the Community Reparations Commission to continue to work through February 2025. The extension request details work the commission has completed since December, including passing 38 recommendations, and outlines items to be completed, like additional community engagement and writing and finalizing its report.

Concert

Tonight, Aug. 29, from 6 to 9:30 p.m., River Arts District Brewing Co. is hosting a benefit concert after flash flooding in July damaged its brewing equipment. To get the brewers back on track, you can donate at the show or contribute to the GoFundMe. (Asheville Citizen-Times)

Award

Mountain Housing Opportunities (MHO) received a $750,000 grant from Dogwood Health Trust to support its work creating affordable housing in WNC. It’s the largest unrestricted operating grant MHO has ever received. In addition to supporting general operational costs, the grant will help grow the nonprofit’s Down Payment Assistance Program.

State

$2.6 billion. That’s how much visitors to NC’s 10 National Parks spent in the state in 2023, supporting 38,800 jobs. Overall, the nearly 21 million visitors contributed $4.1 billion to the state economy.

Trending

Half the world away, we just got news of Oasis’ reunion. Celebrate here in Asheville by belting “Champagne Supernova” with a mimosa in hand, using our guide to 25+ local brunch spots.

Number

25. You can study this many languages (and more) with Rosetta Stone. Ready to start learning? Get 50% off.*

Home

If sustainable living is among your core values, it may be time to revisit solar. Solar systems have become remarkably affordable in recent years + can pay for themselves in as little as five years. Plus, quotes are free.*

Finance

Fall into savings (see what we did there?) with 18 months of 0% APR on balance transfers, plus no annual fee. Adding this card to our wallet feels as comfy as our favorite cardigan.*

Coming Soon

Culture

What’s new at the 30th NC Mountain State Fair

North Carolina Mountain State Fair ferris wheel at sunset

Head to the fair’s website for the full event schedule. | Photo via NC Mountain State Fair

We can smell the funnel cake already. Now in its 30th year, the NC Mountain State Fair returns to the WNC Ag Center next week, running Friday, Sept. 6 through Sunday, Sept. 15. And there’s plenty of fun to be had — like seeing live music at its Mountain Music Fest, watching cooking competitions, and cheering on the swimming pigs.

Tickets are available in person or online for $5-$7, but check out the schedule for special days where students, seniors, and service people can get free admission.

What’s new this year

An expanded food area with more local food trucks
Addition of the NC Pottery tent, as well as new exhibits to explore in the expo
New acts Hillbilly Bob, magician TJ Hill, and an acrobatic circus
More rides to explore (Pro tip: You can ride all 35 as many times as you want with the unlimited ride special.)

The Buy

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Grace

From the editor

Molly and I can’t thank you all enough for voting for AVLtoday in Mountain Xpress’ Best of WNC awards this year. We’re delighted to be voted No. 1 for Local Events Information Source and Local Social Media Page to Follow for Local News, Events and Local Happenings. Check out part one and part two of the Best of WNC issue to celebrate the wins across the community.

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