Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Special Meeting

On October 14, 2025, the Buncombe County Parks and Recreation Advisory Board held a special meeting to review and vote on its annual report. The primary focus of the session was the evaluation of the report prepared by staff and board members, which outlined the board’s recent accomplishments, challenges, and future strategic goals.

The board reviewed an annual report that highlighted transitions within the membership, challenges related to Hurricane Helene, and a commitment to adopting a more proactive approach. The report reaffirmed the board’s purpose to advocate for and support Buncombe County’s parks, greenways, and recreation services. It noted recent accomplishments, including the restarting of board meetings, the appointment of new members, and the reconvening of the passive recreation land subcommittee. Liz Hookwater, Recreation Division Manager, emphasized the board's commitment to strengthening its role, while Jen Cook, an Advisory Board Member, expressed support for the proposed community engagement initiatives and appreciated the clarity provided regarding future goals.

A significant portion of the discussion centered on the board’s draft goals for the coming period. These goals include strengthening public awareness and engagement, advising on strategic capital investments, and supporting the implementation of the systemwide Parks and Recreation Master Plan. Specific objectives discussed involved developing a unified communications strategy, visiting all 21 department sites, and participating in outreach events. Kevin Connercote, an Advisory Board Member, highlighted the importance of tying funding requests to specific projects rather than general staffing needs and suggested that board members take initiative to engage with county commissioners. The discussion also emphasized the need for board members to attend commissioner meetings to increase visibility and interaction with county leadership.

When the board moved to the approval of the annual report, a formal vote could not be taken due to a lack of quorum, as fewer than four board members were present. Consequently, the annual report was not formally approved at this meeting. Staff agreed to confirm whether the report can be sent to the Board of Commissioners without formal approval by the Advisory Board.

No public comments were received during the meeting.

Regarding next steps, staff will confirm the status of the annual report with the Board of Commissioners. The board will focus on appointing a chairperson and vice-chairperson, reviewing and updating its bylaws, and developing a community engagement action plan. Board members are encouraged to attend commissioner meetings and community events to increase visibility. The next scheduled meeting is November 12 at the Parks and Recreation office at 46 Valley Street.