Reflecting the Community’s Voice

In February, the City released two design concepts and asked for feedback through community events, focus groups, and an online survey. We heard from thousands of community members. Feedback has been analyzed, and the project team is now translating it into a single unified design to be shared this summer. View the Wave 2 Engagement Summary. 

The design concepts were the direct result of input gathered during at events and through surveys in late 2025 in which residents shared needs and wants for park features, accessibility, and environmental restoration following catastrophic flooding from Tropical Storm Helene in 2024. View the Wave 1 Engagement Summary.

See the Neighborhood Access tab on this page for information about the temporary Gashes Creek Bridge replacement and any traffic control measures related to traffic volume in the area.

Project Background

On September 27, 2024, Tropical Storm Helene caused catastrophic damage to the region. Areas closest to the waterways were hardest hit with flooding, including the area historically dubbed as “Asheville’s Playground” that is home to recreation facilities and important transportation infrastructure along the Swannanoa River and Azalea Road. City-owned assets addressed in this project include but are not limited to:

  • Gashes Creek Bridge and Dam
  • Recreation Park (including public swimming pool and bathhouse)
  • Outdoor Recreation Facility (formerly Mama T’s)
  • John B. Lewis (JBL) Soccer Complex Building 
  • Azalea Road East
  • Azalea Dog Park

Project Area Map

azalea recovery

 

Funding 

The City of Asheville is sequencing recovery projects strategically to ensure an efficient and effective rebuilding process.

Cost recovery through federal disaster relief funding programs is essential in making this project possible. The City of Asheville seeks to accomplish this primarily through the FEMA Public Assistance Program, with significant supplemental funding from the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Relief (CDBG-DR) program. Additional funding sources may include the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, grants from other agencies or partners, and local capital fund dollars. 

For more information on storm recovery in Asheville, visit ashevillerecovers.org.

Frequently Asked Questions

Using a phased approach, public access will be maximized throughout the duration of the project, allowing as many amenities as possible to be open for public use. Depending on the severity of the damage, some parks and greenways facilities may be cleaned and stabilized enough to allow temporary reopening. 

JBL Complex: Under the City’s current lease agreement with Asheville Buncombe Youth Soccer Association (ABYSA), ABYSA is responsible for maintenance and repair of fields at the JBL Complex. The City continues to work with ABYSA to provide quality fields for recreational and tournament soccer. It is anticipated that the athletic fields will open for use well before the Azalea Parks and Infrastructure Recovery project is complete.

 

Cost recovery through federal disaster relief funding programs is essential in making this project possible. The City of Asheville seeks to accomplish this primarily through the FEMA Public Assistance Program, with significant supplemental funding from the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Relief (CDBG-DR) program. Additional funding sources may include the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, grants from other agencies or partners, and local capital fund dollars. 

 

All proposed replacement or improvement components of this project will need to comply with the current state, local and federal codes and standards.

Public input and community collaboration will be essential for project success. The City of Asheville will work with the selected design team to map out public engagement opportunities and determine how input will be incorporated into the project.  Please stay tuned for updates on public involvement opportunities, and subscribe to this project to receive project-related news via email.

Previous Updates

March 12, 2026: Rebuilding Asheville's Riverfront Public Spaces with Your Input

February 9, 2026: City of Asheville Invites Public to View and Provide Input on Riverfront Recovery Designs with Design Workshop, Survey, and Community Events

January 20, 2026: Update from ABYSA Jan 2026 (In case you missed it)

December 8, 2025: Rebuilding Asheville's Riverfront Public Spaces

November 24, 2025: City of Asheville Invites Public Feedback on French Broad and Azalea Riverfront Recovery Projects

November 13, 2025: JBL Programming to Remain at Reduced capacity Through Mid-January

October 31, 2025: Programming to Restart Nov. 2 at JBL Complex at a Reduced Capacity

October 15, 2025: City Council Approves Azalea Parks and Infrastructure Recovery Project Phase 2 of Design Contract

September 10, 2025: Azalea Parks and Infrastructure Recovery Project Moves into Phase 1 of Design

Aug. 27, 2025: City of Asheville partners with NCDOT to build temporary bridge next to storm-damaged Gashes Creek Bridge

live
live

Design Phase

Anticipated 2025 - 2027

Public engagement will take place during this phase. 

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planned

Construction Phase

Anticipated 2028 - 2031

Where possible, the City will look for opportunities to phase earlier construction allowing for the reopening of amenities for public use. 

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complete

Advertise and Select Design Team

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complete

Access via Gashes Creek restored

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complete

City Staff conduct damage assessments

Immediately following storm, the City of Asheville initiated Phase 1 of the FEMA Public Assistance process immediately after the storm, allocating as much staff time as possible given demanding emergency response efforts. 

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complete

Hurricane Helene makes landfall in Asheville

September 27, 2024

Contact 

Pete Wall
Assistant Parks and Recreation Director
pwall@ashevillenc.gov

Dustin Clemens
Capital Projects Division Manager
dclemens@ashevillenc.gov