Azalea Parks and Infrastructure Recovery Project Moves into Phase 1 of Design
At their September 9 meeting, City Council gave the green light on the first part of a major project to rebuild the storm-damaged area around Azalea Road and the Swannanoa River. This first step in the design process will focus on evaluating engineering alternatives for hazard mitigation grant opportunities for the Gashes Creek Bridge and Dam. In October, the City plans to bring forward a second contract that will cover design services of the entire project area, through 60 percent design. For more information, check out the staff report.
“Our staff has worked very hard to get this project to this point,” says Walter Ear, Interim Capital Management Director. “Securing this contract is an important first step in our commitment to rebuilding and revitalizing critical infrastructure along the Swannanoa River, and we are ready to get to work.”
Historically dubbed as “Asheville’s Playground”, this project is located in the area 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:
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Gashes Creek Bridge and Dam
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Recreation Park (including public swimming pool and bathhouse)
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Outdoor Recreation Facility (formerly Mama T’s)
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John B. Lewis (JBL) Soccer Complex Building
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Azalea Road East
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Azalea Dog Park
Timeline
The full design and public engagement process for the project is expected to take two years, followed by another estimated two to three years of construction. Using a phased approach, public access will be maximized throughout the duration of the project, allowing as many amenities and access as possible to be open for public use.
Funding
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 supplemental funding from the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Community Development Block Grant Disaster Relief Program. Additional funding sources may include grants from other agencies or partners, and local capital fund dollars.
John B. Lewis fields and upcoming temporary bridge construction
See our latest update from August 27, 2025. Future updates will be provided as information becomes available.
Dive into the story behind Azalea Park!
The City of Asheville has posted a Park Views series article on Azalea Park, tracing its history from the Cherokee people's use of the land to its days as a popular lake and recreation area in the 1920s. Learn how the park evolved over time, faced challenges with flooding and ownership, and was ultimately re-envisioned as a modern sports complex.
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