Asheville – The newly renovated playground at Carrier Park officially has officially reopened, offering a variety of slides, climbing structures, swings, and play areas designed for discovery and encouraging healthy fun for all children. The playground is managed by Asheville Parks and Recreation (APR) and is a cornerstone of Carrier Park’s many amenities.
“With volleyball, basketball, lawn bowling, skating, biking, nature areas, French Broad River Greenway, and so much more, Carrier Park is one of the most visited and treasured parks in Asheville,” according to APR Director D. Tyrell McGirt in an announcement of the new equipment.
According to APR, the playground is true intergenerational space, ready to spark imaginations and create lasting memories for kids, families, and community members of all ages. Features such as the Konnection® Swing allow younger children to directly engage with older family members and friends while advancing skills such as cooperation and teamwork, and develop their motor skills while building strong muscles and bones systems. Upgrades also include enhanced accessiblity and safety features.
“Mindful that shade is in high demand on sunny days, we preserved mature, leafy trees throughout the play area,” accordng to McGirt.
Often cited as one of the best playgrounds in Asheville, the previous wooden playground opened in 2001 and required frequent repairs to maintain its safety over the past few years.
The design of the new equipment pays tribute to the former playground through durable, environmentally-friendly recycled plastic lumber that looks like actual wood. Unlike real wood, the long-lasting material removes the threat of splinters and nasty cuts or bruises from blunt lumber. It’s also highly-resistant to water, pests, and rotting.
The new equipment was designed and installed by Play By Design, an Oklahoma based firm selected from among four bids. Through a committee evaluation, playground proposals were evaluated and ranked based upon each vendor’s ability to meet the project needs, including but not exclusively based on the proposed cost.
A March 2024 resolution authorized a contract with Play By Design for equipment and installation for up to $420,000. Funding for the project was budgeted in the city’s General Capital Projects Fund.
The former playground was closed in June of this year to complete the work, and reopened in mid-August.
The new playground is the ninth complete playground replacement since 2019. According to APR, playgrounds at Weaver Park and Burton Street Community Center are on schedule for completion next year – marking the milestone of replacing more than half of the 19 playgrounds in the APR system. Many other playgrounds that have not yet been fully replaced have received new equipment, enhanced safety features, and accessibility upgrades.
With its oldest parks dating to the 1890s, APR was the first nationally-accredited municipal recreation department in the country. Today, APR manages a collection of over 65 public parks, playgrounds, and open spaces throughout the city in a system that also includes full-complex recreation centers, swimming pools, 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 10 miles of paved greenways and numerous 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.
Located at 220 Amboy Road, development of Carrier Park began in 1998 through a partnership between environmental nonprofit RiverLink and the City of Asheville to purchase the Asheville Motor Speedway. Sweat equity from volunteers during a community playground build in 2001 provided momentum to complete the first phase of the park, dedicated in 2003 and including a volleyball court, roller hockey rink, playground, basketball court, lawn bowling, and trails. The speedway’s asphalt track was incorporated as a velodrome for biking and skating. The second phase of the park was dedicated in 2006 with a large picnic shelter, river overlook, wetland interpretive area, and more trails.
“Carrier Park sees more park users each year than any other park in the APR system,” said D. Tyrell McGirt, APR Director through the official website. “Asheville families have made many cherished memories on the playground over the years. This important investment ensures a new era of fun with safer materials, a similar look, and design that meets the community’s needs for years to come.”