Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Meeting

Buncombe County Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Meeting Recap Date: July 14, 2026 Chair: Kevin Conraco

The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board convened on July 14, 2026, for a meeting focused on operational updates, strategic planning, and fiscal context. Chair Kevin Conraco presided over the session, which included presentations from county staff regarding various park initiatives, budget constraints, and infrastructure projects. The primary administrative action taken during the meeting was the approval of the agenda and previous minutes, a motion that passed with all members voting "Aye." No other formal votes, motions, or binding decisions were recorded for this session.

A significant portion of the discussion centered on the financial implications of recent state legislation affecting property appraisals. Staff reported that a new law prevents the use of 2025 property appraisals for the current budget unless the measure is revenue neutral. Staff explained that choosing revenue neutrality would result in a $25 million budget shortfall, while reverting to 2021 valuations would increase tax rates. The Board was informed that County Commissioners must decide on this matter during their meeting on July 21. Additionally, staff highlighted the high costs associated with infrastructure, noting that recent bids for greenway projects came in at approximately $3.3 million per mile.

Regarding specific park developments, staff provided updates on Owen Park, disc golf, and mountain bike programs. For Owen Park, community feedback from a recent meeting favored a natural, wetland-focused design over the restoration of man-made ponds, which staff described as prohibitively expensive and complicated by Army Corps of Engineers regulations. The final Owen Park plan will include pavilions, restrooms, and a playground but will likely exclude ball fields. Staff also discussed partnerships with the Western North Carolina Disc Golf Association for course maintenance and potential collaborations with nonprofits like "All Kids on Bikes" for youth mountain bike programs.

The Board also reviewed the status of the Parks and Recreation Master Plan and the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). The master plan is currently in its second review phase, focusing on open space and greenways. Staff cited delays due to the need for accurate cost estimates and the integration of properties acquired through the post-Hurricane Helene Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP). The CIP review detailed county-allocated funding for FY27-FY30, including Phase 2 of the Anchor Recreation Destination, boat launches at Glen Bridge and Lake Julian, and facility improvements at Bank Creek and North Buncombe/Harmony Valley fields.

There was no public comment period held during this meeting. Chair Conraco asked if anyone was present for public comment and noted that there were no attendees. Consequently, no public testimony was recorded, and no responses to community input were provided.

Staff outlined several follow-up actions to be completed before the next meeting. Staff members agreed to attend the Board of Commissioners meeting on July 21 to witness the reading of the Parks and Recreation Month proclamation. Staff also indicated they would speak with Commissioner Allison regarding the bond update and potential presentation opportunities, with the goal of having more information available by the next board meeting. Furthermore, staff committed to finalizing the master plan documents within the next few weeks and agreed to share the draft plan with the board as soon as possible to solicit feedback.