Asheville – The City of Asheville celebrated a significant achievement as its comprehensive 10-year plan, “Recreate Asheville: Shaping Our City’s Parks,” received the Merit Award in Analysis & Planning from the North Carolina Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects (NCASLA). This recognition highlighted the plan’s innovative strategies aimed at enhancing the city’s parks and recreation system for all community members.
Community-Centric Vision
The award was accepted by Asheville Parks & Recreation (APR) Assistant Director Pete Wall, alongside the dedicated consultant team from Design Workshop and Just Cities Collective. APR Director D. Tyrell McGirt emphasized the plan’s transformative vision, stating, “Recreate Asheville establishes a transformative 10-year vision, positioning Asheville’s public parks and recreation system as critical infrastructure capable of addressing pressing community and environmental challenges.” He noted that the plan goes beyond traditional recreation by emphasizing public health, civic pride, climate resilience, and community connections.
The foundation of the Recreate Asheville plan is rooted in extensive analysis, including GIS mapping of demographic and social determinants of health, field data on park assets, and a robust public engagement process. McGirt explained, “This robust foundation prioritizes strategies to serve the full Asheville community, redefining all-encompassing access to ensure not only proximity but also access to safe, complete, and welcoming parks and recreation experiences.”
Engaging the Community
A key element contributing to the plan’s success was its community-driven approach. Thousands of Asheville residents participated in shaping the vision through surveys, workshops, and pop-up events. This extensive collaboration was vital in creating a shared vision for the city’s parks and recreation future. The award recognized how this community-centric process has paved the way for high-quality recreation opportunities and vibrant park spaces that benefit everyone who calls Asheville home.
Wall remarked on the importance of ongoing community engagement, stating, “Building on the momentum of Recreate Asheville’s robust community engagement, APR has continued the conversation through ‘Park Bench Chats’ over the past year.” These informal gatherings allow residents to share ideas and provide feedback on the future of the city’s park spaces and recreation offerings directly with department leadership.
The Park Bench Chats are scheduled for several dates throughout the year, including Tuesday, July 22 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Roger Farmer Park, Wednesday, October 15 from 3 to 6 p.m. at Jake Rusher Park, Tuesday, February 3 from 3 to 6 p.m. at Weaver Park, and Wednesday, May 13 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Haw Creek Park. For those unable to attend in person, community members can submit their thoughts and suggestions via email.
The Recreate Asheville plan serves as a framework for ongoing dialogue with the community, ensuring that residents remain engaged in shaping their parks and recreation experiences. As McGirt noted, “This ongoing dialogue is essential for maintaining a responsive and inclusive approach to our parks and recreation system.”
The NCASLA awards celebrate significant achievements in landscape architecture across North Carolina, promoting environmental stewardship and recognizing outstanding work in the field. The Recreate Asheville plan’s recognition underscores its commitment to creating a varied and resilient parks and recreation system that serves all community members.
For more information about the Recreate Asheville plan, residents can visit recreateasheville.com.