Asheville residents are getting a first look at the future of the city’s riverfront parks.

Asheville Parks & Recreation is unveiling a unified design concept for the French Broad Riverfront Parks Project, a major post-Helene recovery effort focused on restoring and reimagining public spaces along the river.

The concept will be displayed on banners along greenways and riverfront parks, at all eight city community centers, and online, giving residents multiple ways to review the early vision. The design phase is expected to continue into early 2027, with construction currently anticipated from 2027 to 2030.

For Asheville, this is more than a parks update. The French Broad River is one of the city’s defining natural features, and the parks along it are part of everyday life for walkers, cyclists, families, paddlers, runners, dog owners, and nearby neighborhoods. After Helene, the riverfront became one of the most visible areas of damage and recovery.

The project gives the city a chance not only to repair storm-damaged spaces, but also to think more broadly about resilience, access, recreation, safety, and how public riverfront areas should serve Asheville in the years ahead.

Residents who use greenways, Carrier Park, French Broad River Park, or nearby riverfront spaces may want to pay attention as the design process moves forward. Early concepts can help shape future conversations about trails, gathering areas, sports and recreation features, river access, flood resilience, landscaping, and connections between neighborhoods.

Because construction is still several years away, this is not an immediate reopening or renovation announcement. Instead, it is an important planning milestone — a chance for the public to understand the direction of the project and follow how ideas develop before final designs are completed.

Local takeaway: Asheville is unveiling a unified design concept for the French Broad Riverfront Parks Project, marking a major step in post-Helene recovery and long-term planning for the city’s riverfront public spaces.