Press release from Buncombe County Recreation Services:
Buncombe County Recreation Services is in the initial planning stages of a potential “Candler Town Park”, located at 109 Orchard Street B, Candler, NC 28715. The department is currently investigating potential funding sources and design options for the park. If funded, this park will bring additional recreation options to the area while utilizing property currently owned by the County. Recreation Services will be accepting input from the public in the form of a survey from April 15, 2016 to May 31, 2016.
The potential park site was acquired by Buncombe County using Hazard Mitigation Grant Funds following past hurricane and flooding events. The purpose of the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program is to implement measures that reduce future damages from natural disasters. In this case the funds were used for acquisition of the property and demolition of damaged structures. As a condition of receiving the grant funding, Buncombe County agreed to hold the property as open space in perpetuity. Given the restrictions on the property, a park provides one of the few options for adding value to an existing resource that would benefit surrounding residents.
Public input collected through this process will be used to inform the design of the park. Recreation Services is looking to understand public preferences regarding this potential park and to gauge current recreational needs within the surrounding area.
Recreation Services continues to explore methods of receiving public input to ensure reaching as many people as possible and to create services and amenities that align with the community’s needs and vision. Online public comment is a new engagement strategy being implemented by Recreation Services in lieu of traditional in-person public meetings to serve those who may otherwise not be able to attend meetings.
Buncombe County Recreation Services Staff will investigate the feasibility of a park on the property. This process will include an evaluation of public demand, funding availability, pertinent regulations and restrictions, and cost. The public input process will be important as Recreation Services continues to explore a potential park in this location and this opportunity represents the first step toward communicating key issues to the public. This public input period represents very preliminary stages of planning for the property and will be used in attempting to leverage funds from external sources.
Online options for public input and current project documents are available on the Buncombe County Recreation Services Website.
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