Memorial Day weekend brings pool openings, seasonal events to Asheville
Updated to include information on Recreation Park Pool's delayed opening.
ASHEVILLE – Memorial Day weekend in Asheville means summer is just around the corner. Here's your rundown on a few options for entertainment from pool openings to seasonal events. The city's list of Memorial Day closures can be found on its websites.
Starting on May 27, take a dip in one of the Asheville Parks and Recreation Department's public pools to beat the heat and enjoy some time as a member of the Asheville community.
Malvern Hills Park Pool, located at 75 Rumbough Place
Admission fee is $3 per session, $100 for an individual season pass or $150 for a group season pass that can be applied to up to four individuals. Pools open on a limited weekend-only schedule beginning on May 27, but swimmers can plan to enjoy an extra day at the pool on Memorial Day, when both locations will be open noon-6 p.m. The pools will fully open for the 2023 season June 10.
Recreation Park Pool, located at 65 Gashes Creek Road, was initially set to open May 27 but according to a news release the evening of May 26, the opening is now delayed.
More: Asheville summer fun for $0? Here are 20 free/low-cost events and activities for locals
"During initial inspections, Buncombe County Environmental Health discovered potential safety issues at Recreation Park pool and requested additional actions before it will open for the season. Asheville Parks & Recreation crews immediately started working with specialists to perform repairs and safely open this pool as quickly as possible," the release stated.
The gutter system for the pool separated from the pool, exposing a significant gap between the gutter and the pool wall. A professional engineer evaluated the structural condition of the pool wall and deck to determine if repair is an option. The evaluation recommended the pool not be occupied until permanent repairs can be made. This significantly delays opening the pool, the release states.
Five more pools both in and outside of Asheville are also available to the public through Buncombe county.
Erwin Pool, located at 58 Lees Creek Road, Asheville
Cane Creek Pool, located at 590 Lower Brush Creek Road, Fletcher
Hominy Valley Pool, located at 25 Twin Lakes Road, Candler
North Buncombe Pool, located at 734 Clarks Chapel Road, Weaverville
Owen Pool, located at 117 Stone Drive, Swannanoa
Prices for entry to these five pools are $3 per session. Buncombe County pools operate on similar schedules to the city of Asheville's. Make sure to visit the Buncombe county website to check hours before planning your trip.
In addition to the two public pools in Asheville the city offers the “Splasheville” splash pad located in Pack Square Park, open 9 a.m.-8:30 p.m. regularly and free to the public. The interactive splash pad is fully renovated with lights, water programming and other advanced features that make Splasheville a perfect spot for members of the community to cool off in the heart of town.
Finally, swimmers can look forward to the opening of a brand new community pool this summer through Asheville Parks and Recreation. Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center Pool, located at 285 Livingston St., is expected to open in June or July this year.
More: Check out our WNC Parent Calendar for May: Celebrations and plenty to do outside!
Next up, explore a few of Asheville’s diverse Memorial Day offerings.
Grindfest, held in the River Arts District, is a free, family-friendly festival celebrating black-owned businesses in Asheville. The festival will be held May 26 to May 28 and will feature a wide variety of options including a street dance party, poetry slam, yoga and storytelling, food vendors, a beer garden and more.
More: What to know about Grindfest 2023, a 3-day festival in River Arts District
Asheville music offerings tend to have something for everyone. Use Explore Asheville's music calendar tool to plan a night out or a weekend of music. Also holding two concerts in honor of Memorial Day is The Asheville Community Band, an all-volunteer concert band featuring North Carolina musicians from six counties and ranging in age from high school students to octogenarians. May 27 they will play at the Asheville High School Auditorium, May 28 at 2 p.m. at the Biltmore Estate on the South Terrace.
The city will hold a Memorial Day ceremony at 2 p.m. on Memorial Day, May 29, in Pack Square Park. The ceremony will feature a flag-folding ceremony, performance of taps and the national anthem, a keynote address from Retired Lt. Gen. Walter E. Gaskin, USMC, Secretary of the NC Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and more.
The Buncombe community can also enjoy some of the many free and low cost summer activities for Memorial Day weekend and for plenty of warm weekends to come.
The North Carolina Arboretum is an Asheville favorite. Located on land adjacent to the Pisgah National Forest, the arboretum features indoor and outdoor exhibits focused around science and nature, hiking and biking trails and a variety of events. This Memorial Day weekend the arboretum will host guided trail walks on May 27 and a rose exhibition May 26-May 28. Entry to the arboretum is free after you pay to park.
The Buncombe County River Parks are a group of seven parks on the French Broad river. These free-to-access areas offer grills, picnic tables and river access to visitors. Visit the webpage through Buncombe County recreation services to find the closest river park and plan a visit.
Pick up a map of the city's historic African American landmarks in one of three Asheville locations and head out for a self-guided tour. The maps, created by Buncombe county and the Shiloh Community Association to honor Juneteenth, identify historical landmarks and markers outlining the rich history of African Americans in Asheville.
Iris Seaton is the Citizen Times News Reporting Intern. Email her at iseaton@citizentimes.com.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Memorial Day pool openings and events in Asheville
