Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Meeting

Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Meeting Recap: January 13, 2026

The Buncombe County Parks and Recreation Advisory Board held its regular meeting on January 13, 2026. The session began with the introduction of two new board members, Jeff Foti and Emily Troisi, who shared their backgrounds and interests in greenways, accessibility, and community engagement. Ingrid Johnson, a board member, emphasized the need for parks to address potential gentrification concerns during the introductions. The board then unanimously approved the minutes from the previous meeting and the agenda for the current session.

During the public comment period, Wilson Sims raised several questions and concerns regarding the 2017 bond referendum, specifically noting a lack of reporting on its use. Sims also highlighted the absence of a dedicated Greenway planner and called for increased transparency and communication regarding Parks and Recreation initiatives. Following this, Allison Daines, the Parks Division Manager, presented the department’s report out. Key updates included Joseph Goosman’s promotion to Parks Division Manager, the upcoming Polar Plunge for the Special Olympics, ongoing turf projects, and progress on the Deaver View Mountain Park acquisition. The board discussed the future of the Greenway planner role and its integration with other planning initiatives.

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to Parks and Recreation marketing and branding, presented by Molly Wilson, a Buncombe County Communications Specialist. Wilson detailed the various channels used by the department, including social media, the website, and newsletters, and shared recent analytics data. She discussed upcoming website changes, including the transition to a new .gov domain, and emphasized the importance of community feedback. Board members expressed support for increased engagement through social media and highlighted the importance of addressing accessibility barriers within parks. Kevin Conrecode, the Board Chair, emphasized the importance of balancing budget constraints with community needs and supporting staff efforts to improve communication and transparency.

Several follow-up actions were identified during the meeting. Staff agreed to follow up with Wilson Sims regarding his questions about the bond referendum and other concerns. Additionally, staff will discuss with County Commissioners and department directors the best way to integrate Greenway planning responsibilities. Staff will continue working on updating the Parks and Recreation section of the Buncombe County website to reflect the new .gov domain and provide more accessible information. Finally, a discussion about planning a board retreat to discuss the implementation of the master plan will be added to the agenda for the next meeting.

This meeting highlights the board’s focus on transparency, communication, and strategic planning for the county’s parks and recreation system. The discussions on marketing and branding underscore the department’s efforts to engage residents and utilize digital platforms effectively. The attention given to the Greenway planner role and the Deaver View Mountain Park acquisition indicates ongoing work to expand and maintain the county’s outdoor infrastructure.

The next meeting of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board is scheduled for March 10, 2026, at the Parks and Recreation Office located at 46 Valley Street, Asheville, 28801.