Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Meeting

Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Meeting Recap: March 10, 2026

The Buncombe County Parks and Recreation Advisory Board convened on March 10, 2026, to address board operations, upcoming park projects, and community engagement strategies. The meeting began with the approval of the agenda and the minutes from the previous session. Following procedural items, the board moved into substantive discussions regarding major acquisitions, capital improvements, and the development of a new community engagement plan.

A primary focus of the meeting was the imminent acquisition of Deep River Mountain, a 342-acre property. Staff provided an update on the acquisition, which is set for March 2026, and noted that a celebration and press conference are planned for April 13. The board discussed the need to initiate development plans, including trail construction and wildfire mitigation strategies, shortly after the acquisition is complete. Concerns regarding wildfire risk on the newly acquired land were raised, with a commitment made to address these risks during the development planning phase.

The board also reviewed the ongoing redevelopment of Charles D. Owen Park. Staff reported that community engagement efforts are being led by Horseshot, and a public event is scheduled for March 30 at Owen High School. Board members were encouraged to table and engage with the community during this event. Additionally, the board received a status update on other park projects, including the Alexander and Karpen Park rebuild contracts, which are currently underway, and the Turf Field Project, which is on schedule with fields expected to open in early May.

Budgeting and capital planning were significant topics, with the board receiving information on the FY27 budgeting process. The Glen Bridge River Access project was noted as being included in the Capital Improvement Program (CIP). While a detailed presentation on the 5-year CIP is planned for a future meeting, likely in July, no final decisions on the full CIP were made at this session. Staff also provided updates on ongoing programming, including the CORE program at Grovemont Park, the 55+ Club, and various fishing and birding clubs, as well as upcoming events such as the Winter Warm-Up and the Dog Eggstravaganza.

The board spent considerable time developing a Community Engagement Plan for the Advisory Board. The discussion focused on expanding outreach beyond traditional Parks and Recreation events to include venues like farmers' markets and community gatherings. Members were encouraged to attend these events to share information about the department. In related discussions, the board addressed a vacancy in District 2, outlining the process for filling it, which involves reviewing applications and using a rubric-based selection method. A committee will review the applications for this vacancy.

Regarding public comment, the transcript summary indicates that remarks were made by board members and staff, but it does not record specific comments from members of the public. Consequently, no public testimony is included in this recap. The board did, however, discuss partnerships with the Asheville Pickleball Association (APA). The APA President highlighted the organization's work and the potential for collaboration with Buncombe County Parks and Recreation, noting that a follow-up discussion regarding the APA’s name and future partnerships is planned outside of this meeting.

The meeting concluded with the approval of the agenda and minutes. The next regular meeting of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board is scheduled for May 12, 2026, at the Parks and Recreation Office in Asheville.