Buncombe County Purchases 342 Acres for Its Largest Public Park

Buncombe County closed on the purchase of 342 acres atop Deaverview Mountain, completing an acquisition that will create the largest public park in the county system and nearly double its total parkland in a single transaction.

The deal, finalized in partnership with the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy, was funded primarily through a $4,475,000 award from the federal Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership program and additional state dollars secured by the conservancy through the North Carolina Land and Water Fund. The 342-acre parcel surpasses Lake Julian, the county's current largest park at 320 acres, and would push Buncombe County's total park acreage from roughly 584 acres to approximately 926, an increase the county characterized as nearly 60 percent.

Parks and Recreation Director Allison Dains called the site central to the region's identity. "Deaverview Mountain will be one of the largest parks in our community, second only to the proposed 1,600-acre Pisgah View State Park," Dains said. "It will be preserved not only for its natural beauty and significant ecosystem, but also as a space for outdoor recreation, environmental education, and connection with nature. Protecting it as a public park ensures that residents and future generations can experience, learn from, and be inspired by this unique landscape."

The 3,118-foot peak sits about five miles west of downtown Asheville and is visible across much of the city. The property contains 16 headwater streams, roughly three miles of walking trails, and two bald overlooks with direct sightlines to downtown Asheville and the surrounding ridgelines. Without the conservation effort, the mountaintop was slated for subdivision development.

Carl Silverstein, executive director of the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy, said the mountain carries weight well beyond its acreage. "It's part of our collective imagination and history," Silverstein said, pointing to the summit's recurring presence in historic "Land of the Sky" imagery of the Asheville region.

The path to Thursday's closing began in 2023, when a conservation-minded buyer secured the property and entered into a three-year option agreement with the conservancy, providing time to arrange permanent conservation and assemble grant funding. The county received official notice of the ORLP award on September 8, and SAHC separately secured the North Carolina Land and Water Fund contribution to complete the financing package.

The property sits near the Deaverview community, which project manager Joseph Guseman has described as an underserved neighborhood five miles from downtown. Guseman said the county's goal is for it to become a "landmark destination park." Commissioner Terri Wells pushed for a phased opening timeline, saying residents are "chomping at the bit" to access the site. "It's about physical health, but it's also about mental health for our community," Wells said. "People just share so often how being able to get out and have these opportunities that are close by in our community are very beneficial."

With the purchase closed, Buncombe County Parks and Recreation will begin the design process by issuing a request for qualifications, with initial design work expected to begin this summer. Development will proceed in multiple phases. The property is not yet open to the public.