Over a year after Helene carved a path of destruction through Western North Carolina, Asheville officials are turning to residents to help shape the future of the city's damaged parks and green spaces.
The city of Asheville has launched a public input initiative inviting community members to weigh in on how storm-ravaged parks should be rebuilt, restored or reimagined as part of its broader recovery efforts. Officials say the process is designed to ensure that the spaces emerging from the recovery reflect the needs and priorities of the people who use them most.
"These parks belong to the community," said a city spokesperson.
Hurrcane Helene struck Western North Carolina in late September 2024, triggering catastrophic flooding that swept away infrastructure, damaged homes and left many of Asheville's beloved riverside parks and greenways unrecognizable. The storm caused widespread destruction along the French Broad River corridor and throughout the region's network of trails and recreational spaces.
The recovery has been a lengthy and complex process, with the city balancing the urgency of restoration against the need for long-term planning that accounts for future flood resilience. City planners are also weighing how redesigned parks might incorporate natural buffers and improved drainage to better withstand future storms.
Residents can share their input through the city's online survey portal, in-person community meetings and neighborhood engagement sessions scheduled across Asheville in the coming weeks. Officials are encouraging participation from all areas of the city, particularly neighborhoods closest to affected parks.
City officials have not yet released a comprehensive timeline or cost estimate for full park restoration, but they say the community input phase is a critical first step.