North Carolina county to build largest park
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Buncombe County, North Carolina, approved a $1.39 million contract to begin planning a new park on 342 acres of mountain property west of Asheville.
In March 2026, the county acquired Deaverview Mountain using only grant funding from the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy, the North Carolina Land and Water Fund, and the federal Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership program. The property includes a 3,118-foot peak, views of the French Broad River Valley, 16 streams, and extensive forest.
Before the county purchased the land, a private buyer secured a three-year option agreement with the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy to find a way to permanently protect the land. Buncombe County then worked with the conservancy to obtain the grants needed to purchase the property and transfer it to county ownership. While the county now owns Deaverview Mountain, it remains closed to the public until park infrastructure is built.
Equinox Environmental will develop the master plan, including community outreach, environmental assessments, and designs for trails, parking, and restrooms. County officials anticipate the new park will become the largest in their system, offering opportunities for hiking, nature viewing, and outdoor education while prioritizing water quality, biodiversity, and habitat preservation.
