What this survey will help us decide

We are asking for input on:

  • How the river edge should be rebuilt

  • The balance between flood resilience, recreation, and open space

  • Which programs and amenities are most preferred

  • How fields and active recreation areas should be configured

  • Long-term improvements to access and connectivity

We are not asking you to choose a single concept. Instead, tell us which features from each themed concept are most preferred.

 

Annotated map of Asheville highlighting the French Broad River and Swannanoa River corridors. The French Broad River runs north to south through downtown and West Asheville, labeled “French Broad River” and “French Broad River Parks.” To the east, the Swannanoa River corridor shows Azalea Park, JBL Soccer Complex, and Recreation Park in purple callouts, along with a labeled “Future Swannanoa River Greenway.” A shaded overlay indicates the “Hurricane Helene Extent” along parts of the Swannanoa River. Additional labels mark Biltmore Village, Biltmore Estate, and major roads including I-240, I-40, and the Blue Ridge Parkway. A legend explains park areas, flood impacts, neighborhood boundaries, streets, and existing and proposed greenways. A north arrow and scale bar at the bottom.

Azalea Park sits at the intersection of several existing and potential trails, greenways, and community destinations. Strengthening and improving these local and regional connections can not only address multi-modal safety concerns, but can also improve access for park visitors, augment recreational programs and support everyday multi-modal mobility for both regional visitors and nearby neighbors.

We heard from Phase 1 that people want more connectivity (greenways, bike lanes, etc.) between Azalea Park and downtown Asheville and surrounding assets. We also heard that safety is a big concern, with people expressing concern over bike safety, traffic speed, lack of sidewalks and bike lanes, and the need for better signage and lighting.

Question title

Drop a pin where you live or most often start your trip to the park.

At the first open house, (December 10, 2025) community members shared ideas and priorities for the future of the Azalea Park Complex. This feedback was foundational in shaping the concepts that are shared here today.

Key Engagement Themes:

  • Flood Resiliency
  • New Recreational Amenities
  • Restoration of Previous Amenities
  • Connectivity and Safety

Top Programs & Activities from Phase 1 engagement:

Graphic summarizing top community priorities by category, shown in eight colored boxes with percentages. Play: Nature Play (33%), Multi-generational Play (27%), Splash Pad (14%). Sports: Disc Golf (17%), Outdoor Rolling Skating Park (15%), Pickleball/Skateboarding (12%). Gathering: Picnic Tables (23%), Outdoor Rolling Skating Park (15%), Seating/Pavilions (16%). Water: River Access (35%), Swimming Pool (26%), Paddle Sports (25%). Trails (ecology-focused): River Habitat (22%), Native Plants (20%), Reforestation/Forest Restoration (20%). Art: Public Art (41%), Murals (23%), Land Art (18%). Amenities: Bathrooms (25%), Shade (Trees) (21%), Trash and Recycling Cans (12%). Trails (recreation-focused): Nature Trail (31%), Waterfront Trail (29%), Multi-Use Paved Trail (20%). Gold star icons mark selected priority items within several categories.

Concept 1: Restore, Protect, Connect

Concept plan titled “Restore, Protect, Connect” for the Azalea Park Complex along the Swannanoa River. The map shows Recreation Park, the JBL Soccer Complex, the Azalea Dog Park, and surrounding trails and riverbanks. Proposed improvements focus on restoring and elevating key facilities to reduce flood vulnerability, including rebuilding the bridge or dam under study, elevating and rebuilding the swimming pool in place, repairing the existing bathroom and playground, elevating the concession and restroom building, and repairing the Azalea Road Dog Park. One proposal repurposes “Mama T’s” as an open-air event pavilion with kayak storage. Green dashed lines show a new Swannanoa River Greenway segment connecting the recreation park and soccer complex, along with proposed walking trail loops around the soccer fields and new trail connections near the Thomas Wolfe Cabin. Additional features include expanded riparian buffer and bank stabilization, proposed water access and nature play areas between the soccer fields, an additional river access point, and streambank treatments. A legend distinguishes existing features from proposed features, and a funding note explains that facilities labeled in purple text are tied to FEMA recovery funding, while additional program elements would require alternative funding sources. A north arrow and scale bar are shown at the bottom.

Focuses on bringing key park facilities and amenities back in place while reducing their vulnerability to flooding as well as enhancing the park’s riparian buffers.

Question title

What do you like about Concept 1?

Question title

What would you change about Concept 1?

Concept 2: Reposition, Elevate, Connect

Concept plan titled “Reposition, Elevate, Connect” for the Azalea Park Complex along the Swannanoa River. The map shows a reorganization of key park facilities onto higher ground to reduce flood risk and create a more resilient floodplain. Proposed changes include relocating and elevating the swimming pool, relocating and expanding the playground with added nature play, rebuilding the bridge or dam under study, removing Mama T’s and relocating its program to a central recreation park building at the pool, and relocating the concession building with a new enclosure and portable or prefabricated restrooms. The plan also shows a relocated Azalea Dog Park with parking and river access, bank stabilization and floodplain reconnection along the river, a new Swannanoa River Greenway segment connecting the recreation park and JBL Soccer Complex, proposed walking trail loops around the soccer fields, improved hiking trails and picnic areas near the Thomas Wolfe Cabin, a new trail connection, a mini disc golf course, outdoor recreation space within the floodplain forest, a nature walk loop, and an additional river access point. A legend distinguishes existing and proposed features, and a funding note explains that items labeled in purple text are tied to FEMA recovery funding, while additional connectivity and restoration elements would require alternative funding sources. A north arrow and walking scale bar appear at the bottom.

Reimagines Azalea Park by relocating or elevating vulnerable facilities to higher ground for flood resiliency and enhanced circulation, alongside ecological functions of reconnecting the floodplain.

Question title

What do you like about Concept 2?

Question title

What would you change about Concept 2?

In the first wave of engagement and input from Recreate Asheville, we learned that the top programs and activities that community members want to see at the Azalea Park Complex are nature play, gathering areas, river access, restrooms, shade, and natural areas.  These have been included in both proposed concepts for the parks.

Question title

Where else would you like to see these amenities?

As we further develop the concepts for the Azalea Park Complex, we’d like to know what types of trails and trail experiences you want in the future.

Map titled “Existing and Future Connections” showing the Azalea Park Complex in east Asheville and its surrounding trail network. Azalea Park is highlighted in green along the Swannanoa River near I-40 and the Blue Ridge Parkway. Dashed and solid green lines indicate existing and future greenway and trail connections, including the Swannanoa River Greenway, Beverly Hills Greenway, Mountains-to-Sea Trail, and Fonta Flora State Trail. Nearby landmarks labeled include Riverbend Park, Murphy Oakley Community Center, Ann Patton Joyce Park, Haw Creek Park, and Highland Brewing Company. A sidebar titled “What We Heard from Summit 1” summarizes community priorities: more connectivity between Azalea Park and downtown Asheville and nearby assets, better signage and lighting, improved bike safety on Azalea Road, and concerns about traffic speed, sidewalks, and bike lanes. A legend identifies Azalea Park, other parks, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and existing and future trails, with a north arrow and scale bar at the bottom.

Question title

Are any of these existing or potential trails a priority for you? Why?

Question title

Do you prefer trails that are more quiet or social?

Loading question...

Question title

Do you prefer trails that are more scenic or direct?

Loading question...

Question title

What types of trails do you want to see at Azalea?

Poll question: What types of trails do you want to see at Azalea?. Select one or more options.
Use Tab to navigate between options, Space or Enter to select
Select a response

Question title

What would make access to and around Azalea feel safer?

The Azalea Park Complex lies within a diverse floodplain ecosystem along the Swannanoa River. Native forests, wetlands, and riverbanks provide habitat for wildlife while also helping manage stormwater and flooding. Ecological restoration at this site focuses on reconnecting these natural systems and supporting resilient landscapes that protect the river, improve water quality, and strengthen the parks' future.

Six-panel graphic illustrating flood resilience and ecological restoration strategies with photos and brief descriptions. Top row: Floodplain Reconnection – describes restoring or enhancing connectivity between a river and its adjacent floodplain to allow river water to spread out during high flows. Stormwater Management Measures or Rain Gardens – explains landscape or engineered systems that slow, filter, store, or infiltrate runoff from rainfall. Riverine Wetlands or Increased Flood Storage Capacity – describes engineered or natural landforms such as levees, berms, floodwalls, or raised terraces that manage and direct floodwaters. Bottom row: Riparian Buffer Expansion and Enhancement – describes creating a low-lying stepped shelf between the river channel and the floodplain. Native Meadows – notes restoration of degraded soils and sediments using physical, chemical, or biological methods such as phytoremediation. Natural Channel Stabilization – describes gently sloped, vegetated edges that stabilize stream or pond banks using native vegetation. Each panel includes a landscape photo and a small inset cross-section diagram showing how the strategy functions relative to water levels and vegetation.

Flooding plays a significant role in how Azalea Park functions today and how it can be reimagined for the future. The park’s location within the Swannanoa River watershed influences flood behavior, infrastructure performance, and access during storm events. Several options for bridge and dam reconstruction are being studied to reduce flood impacts while maintaining park connectivity.

Three-column comparison graphic showing bridge and dam options with simple cross-section diagrams and lists of pros and cons. Left column: “Bridge & Dam Reconstruction to Pre-Helene Function.” Diagram shows the bridge and dam restored to prior configuration with a modest upstream water level. Pros include restoring pre-storm function and supporting existing river conditions and park access. Cons note limited improvements for downstream flood mitigation and fewer ecological enhancement opportunities. Center column: “Bridge Reconstruction & Enhanced Dam Construction.” Diagram shows a higher dam and increased upstream water storage. Pros include maximum flood storage within the park without impacting upstream properties and potential higher flood risk reduction downstream in smaller storm events. Cons include increased construction and maintenance complexity and fewer opportunities for ecological improvements. Right column: “Bridge Reconstruction & Dam Removal.” Diagram shows the bridge remaining but the dam removed, allowing a lower, more natural river profile. Pros include allowing the river to flow more naturally, increased river health and recreational opportunities, and reduced long-term maintenance and repair needs. Cons note limited mitigation measures within the park to reduce downstream flooding.

Question title

Is there anything else we should consider about resilience and flooding at Azalea?

Question title

What else would you like to share about Azalea and Recreation Park?