3 min read
How to Reserve an Asheville City Park Picnic Shelter
Plan an Asheville picnic shelter gathering around reservation lead times, park access, winter restroom closures, and any additional permits.
Asheville's shelter guidance describes all-day reservations and other shelters that may be available first come, first served with a two-hour time limit in the city's reservation guidance. Haw Creek Park and Walton Street Park both list wheelchair accessibility among their features on the Haw Creek listing and the Walton Street listing.
Booking a City Park Picnic Shelter
For reservable shelters, the city describes daylight-hours use and an entire-day reservation. Reservations must be made at least four days ahead and can be made up to 90 days before the requested date; availability may be limited during peak season under the city's shelter reservation rules.
For Haw Creek Park, the city directs visitors to reserve the shelter online or by calling 828-259-5800 on the park's official page.
The city lists a $40 shelter fee at named parks including Haw Creek, Malvern Hills, and Weaver Park. That list also marks the French Broad River Park gazebo and Richmond Hill Park shelter as temporarily closed due to damage from Hurricane or Tropical Storm Helene on the reservations page.
Carrier Park's shelter is listed at $150. Shelters at parks outside the fee list may be available first come, first served, with a two-hour time limit in the city's fee and reservation guidance.
Park Options and Wheelchair Accessibility
Haw Creek Park's listed features include wheelchair accessibility, an off-street parking lot, and a paved trail on its park page. Walton Street Park also lists wheelchair accessibility, off-street parking, picnic tables, and a paved walking loop on its own park page.
The city recommends visiting the park before reserving a shelter to see whether it suits your activity in its reservation guidance.
Seasonal Restroom Closures
Shelter reservations are accepted year-round, but the city warns that many park restrooms close from mid-October through mid-April to protect water lines from freezing. It specifically lists Malvern Hills, Murphy Oakley, West Asheville, and Walton Street restrooms as closed for winterizing from November to April in the shelter guidance.
Haw Creek's park page gives its restrooms a different published schedule: April 15 through October 31 on the Haw Creek listing. Do not treat one park's restroom schedule as the schedule for every shelter.
Special Permits for Tents and Inflatables
Special permits may be required for added elements such as tents or inflatables. The city says additional permits for inflatables and bounce houses take at least eight weeks to approve in its shelter reservation guidance.
Walton Street Park also says special permits may be required for ongoing use, added elements, or a special event with more than 50 people on its park page.
MemoryFrame
Keep a story from the gathering
Bring a photograph or a shared story to MemoryFrame when you are ready to make artwork.
Start your MemoryFrame