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To purchase a print of this drawing by author/artist
Lee Pantas, visit
Cherry Orchard Studio
Two local governmental agencies maintain parks in the greater
Asheville area, the
Asheville Parks and Recreation Department and the
Buncombe County Parks, Greenways and Recreation Department.
Woven throughout the Asheville community are 11 neighborhood
recreation centers, two pools, over 35 parks and play areas, 20
tennis courts, and a stadium complex supervised and maintained by
the Asheville Parks and Recreation Department. This same
organization also sponsors or
supports many cultural festivals and special events that enrich the
Asheville area. Some of these include Montford Park Players’
Shakespeare Theatre, Sunday in the Park, Fourth of July Celebration,
Goombay Festival, Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast, Light Up
Your Holidays Festival, Shindig On The Green, Teen Street Dances,
Greek Festival, Tell It In The Mountains and Bele Chere,
Recommended Parks:
The following listing of Asheville Parks were recommended to the
author by the Asheville Parks and Recreation Department for
first-time Asheville visitors. They are easy to find, and offer
outstanding facilities. For a more complete listing of all other
recreational facilities in the Asheville Park system, or for
directions to the listed parks, call 828-259-5800.
French Broad River Park: The most popular park in Asheville, it is
located on Amboy Road along the French Broad River. One of
Asheville’s most beautiful parks, this 14-acre park meanders
alongside the tranquil French Broad River. The property features a
vast area of open green space with gracious old trees, a wildflower
garden, a paved half-mile walking path, a large gazebo, picnic
tables and grills, a fishing/observation deck, and a small
playground. The natural beauty of this park makes it a popular spot
for warm weather weddings and romantic picnics in the meadow. The
newest addition of the property is the Dog Park, which features a
large fenced-in area made just for exercising and socializing your
pooch! Off-street parking and restrooms are also available.
Martin Luther King Jr. Park: (Martin Luther King Jr. Dr.,
828-259-5800)
Ball field, concession stand, fitness course, soccer field, picnic
tables, playground, restrooms, open shelters.
Montford Park: (Montford Ave.,
828-253-3714) Outdoor basketball court,
playground, restrooms, open shelters, tennis.
Murphy-Oakley Park: (Fairview Rd.,
828-274-7088) Ball field, outdoor
basketball court, concession stand, picnic tables and grills,
playground, restrooms.
Weaver Park: (Murdock/Merrimon Ave.,
828-258-2453) Ball field, outdoor
basketball court, concession stand, soccer field, picnic tables and
grills, playground, restrooms, open shelters, summer playground.
West Asheville Park: (Vermont Ave.,
828-258-2235) Ball field, concession
stand, picnic tables, restrooms, open shelters, summer playground,
tennis.
Lake Julian District Park:
Lake Julian is an ideal family recreational facility and an
excellent spot for the fishing enthusiast. Located near Skyland,
N.C., the park offers opportunities for picnicking, canoeing,
sailing and outdoor games. The park is open year-round for all
county residents and visitors to enjoy. Many local residents are
amazed to find some of this area’s best fishing in their own
backyard. Lake Julian has an abundance of bass, brim and crappie, as
well as an imported fish, the tilapia. Because Lake Julian is a
“thermal” lake (it is used as a cooling agent for CP&L), some of the
best fishing occurs from October through March. Fishermen may fish
from the shore or from jonboats that are available on a rental
basis. Patrons must provide their own electric boat motor, gasoline
motors are not allowed. N.C. fishing laws are enforced and a local
lake permit is required. Lake Julian was named in honor of Julian
Byrd Stepp.
Location: South Asheville
Address: Entrance is off Long Shoals Rd. (Hwy 146)
Telephone: 828-684-0376
Hours: Open year-round except Thanksgiving,
Christmas, and New Year’s Day. October-March: 8 a.m.-6 p.m.;
April: 8 a.m.-8 p.m.; May-¬September: 8 a.m.-9 p.m.
Fees: Free, rental fees for fishing boats, canoes,
paddle boats and picnic shelters.
Directions: Take Hendersonville Highway south from
Biltmore Village. Turn left onto Long Shoals Road in south
Asheville. The entrance to the park is a few miles on the
left opposite Overlook Road. |
More French Broad River Parks:
The French Broad River flows north through 117 miles of Western
North Carolina from its headwaters in Rosman to Paint Rock. In
Tennessee it joins the Holston to form the Tennessee River and
eventually reaches the Mississippi. Named by early explorers because
it flowed toward French Territory to the west, it is a great
recreational resource offering splendid scenery, perfect picnic
spots, Class I through IV whitewater, and good fishing. It flows
right though Asheville on its journey north.
One of the Cherokee names was Tahkeeostee, “racing waters.”
Others, frequently used for only a part of the river, were Poe-li-co,
Ariqua, and Zillicoah. By 1776 the present name French Broad River
was in use.
On its way through Asheville, the river is accessible at a number of
places. Riverlink, a local organization dedicated to the economic
and environmental revitalization of the French Broad, has begun to
turn a dream into reality. This organization, an association of
recreation experts, garden clubs, city planners, businesses,
economic professionals and private citizens has developed a vision
for the future of the river as it flows through the Asheville area.
The French Broad River Park is the newest access point on the river
developed by Riverlink. Located on the river at Amboy Road, this
park features fishing sites, playground, restrooms, bicycling and
walking trails, interpretive displays and a picnic shelter that
echoes the 1905 architecture of the original Riverside Park.
Greenways and other river parks are currently also under development
as part of Riverlink’s vision.
The Buncombe County Department of Recreation Services also maintains
a number of river parks on the French Broad River in the Asheville
area. One of these, the Jean Webb Park is located just north of the
French Broad River Park along Riverside Drive which parallels the
river. This small park is convenient to downtown and a good spot for
picnic lunch. For more information about the other river parks
maintained by Buncombe County, contact the Department of Recreation
Services at 828-250-4260.
Location: West of downtown Asheville
Address: Entrance is off Long Shoals Rd. (Hwy 146)
Telephone: Riverlink: 828-252-8474
Directions: The French Broad River is accessible from many points in
Asheville. To reach the Riverlink French Broad River Park, take
Meadow Road west from Biltmore Village. This road eventually begins
to parallel the river. Turn left at Amboy Road to access the park.
Buncombe County Access Points:
Glenn Bridge River Park (Mile 54)
Sandy Bottom River Park (Mile 59.5)
Bent Creek River Park (Mile 60)
Hominy Creek River Park (Mile 66)
Southern Waterways Access (Mile 68)
French Broad River Park (Mile 69)
Jean Webb Park (Mile 70)
French Broad River Campground (Mile 79.5)
The Ledges Whitewater Park (Mile 80)
Walnut Island River Park (Mile 86) |
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