News

Richmond Hill Park to partially reopen Saturday

Richmond Hill Park to partially reopen Saturday

Richmond Hill Park will begin a phased reopening Saturday following extensive damage from Tropical Storm Helene and other severe weather events. Photo: Contributed/City of Asheville


ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Richmond Hill Park will begin a phased reopening Saturday following extensive damage from Tropical Storm Helene and other severe weather events, city officials said.

Some hiking trails are scheduled to reopen to the public on Oct. 11, with regular park hours from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Pisgah Area SORBA, a longtime partner in trail maintenance and expansion, continues to assist with rebuilding efforts.

The park’s disc golf course is expected to reopen the following week. Asheville Parks & Recreation officials said 16 of the 18 holes will be accessible, with assistance from the Western North Carolina Disc Golf Association for basket installation. Holes 2 and 9 remain closed because of severe tee pad damage.

“Reopening of trails at Richmond Hill Park is a significant step forward for our community,” APR Director D. Tyrell McGirt said in a news release. “This phased approach allows us to restore access to this treasured green space for the first time in many months. We are deeply grateful to our dedicated APR team and volunteer partners like WNCDGA and Pisgah Area SORBA for their work to make this possible.”

Safety and remaining closures

Officials stressed that hazards remain and trail conditions have changed because of the storms. Visitors enter at their own risk and must follow temporary signage and fencing.

Areas still closed include:

  • Park restrooms: Closed for septic repairs; a temporary accessible restroom is available near the parking lot.
  • Brown Trail: Partially closed because of bridge damage and hazardous ravine crossings.
  • Bike skills course: Intermediate area partially closed with snow fencing and signage.
  • Disc golf holes: Up to four holes remain closed because of unsafe tee pad conditions.
  • Creek and stream crossings: Bridges over Smith Creek were washed out or severely damaged; only wet crossings are available.

“While we celebrate the beginning of a phased reopening operation, we must stress that the recovery process is ongoing,” McGirt said in the news release. “We urge all visitors to exercise caution, adhere to posted signs and respect closed areas. This reopening reflects the city’s commitment to rebuilding places we love in stronger and smarter ways.”

The city continues to remove damaged infrastructure, including bridges on the red, purple and brown trails. Rentals and events at the park remain suspended.

While most city parks have reopened, Azalea, French Broad River and Recreation parks remain fully closed. Officials advise residents to stay away from closed or partially closed park areas. For updated information, click here.

Recent Headlines

4 hours ago in Entertainment

Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show is not being reconsidered, NFL commissioner says

The NFL is not considering dropping Bad Bunny as its Super Bowl halftime headline performer, Commissioner Roger Goodell said Wednesday, reaffirming a decision to put the Grammy-winning Puerto Rican artist on the league's biggest stage that led to criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump and some of his supporters.

4 hours ago in Entertainment, Music

Bon Jovi is hitting the road. Band announces first tour since Jon Bon Jovi’s vocal cord surgery

Decades into his career and the unthinkable happened. It was 2022, and Jon Bon Jovi began struggling through his songs. He saw a doctor who said one of his vocal cords was atrophying. He needed major surgery.

11 hours ago in Entertainment

Misty Copeland will take to the ballet stage one last time, before hanging up her pointe shoes

Misty Copeland hangs up her pointe shoes Wednesday, putting a final exclamation point on a trailblazing career in which she became an ambassador for diversity in the very white world of ballet — and a crossover star far beyond.

11 hours ago in Entertainment, Music

MusiCares names Mariah Carey its 2026 Person of the Year

MusiCares, an organization that helps music professionals who need financial, personal or medical assistance, will honor Mariah Carey as its 2026 Person of the Year.

11 hours ago in Trending, World

The Louvre reopens 3 days after one of the biggest museum heists of the century

The Louvre reopened on Wednesday to long lines beneath its landmark Paris glass pyramid, just three days after one of the highest-profile museum thefts of the century stunned the world with its audacity and scale.