On Thursday, March 19, Buncombe County Government closed on the purchase of the 342-acre Deaverview Mountain property. The acquisition will allow the County, in partnership with the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy (SAHC), to preserve this significant natural asset and create a new Buncombe County public park. Though the property remains closed to the public, the purchase is a big step toward building what will be the largest park in Buncombe County’s portfolio. 

“Deaverview Mountain is a treasured part of our community,” said Buncombe County Parks & Recreation Director Allison Dains, “preserved not only for its natural beauty but also as a space for outdoor recreation, environmental education, and connection with nature. Protecting it as a public park ensures that residents and future generations can experience, learn from, and be inspired by this unique landscape.”  

SAHC Land Protection Director Michelle Pugliese echoed the excitement for this project milestone: “We’re grateful for this partnership with the County and the opportunity to combine conservation and recreation on this beloved mountain to benefit the people of the county, state, region, and beyond. I’m thrilled that now it will be permanently protected and made available for adults and kids alike to explore, and to help people connect with nature for their physical, mental, and emotional health.” 

The purchase of the land was funded primarily through two grants: an Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program (ORLP) grant awarded to Buncombe County and a North Carolina Land and Water Fund (NCLWF) grant awarded to SAHC. 

With the closing on the property now complete, Buncombe County Parks & Recreation will issue a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for the design of the park. The project will be completed in multiple phases, with this first design phase expected to begin this summer. 

Background on Deaverview Mountain Project

In 2023, a conservation-minded buyer purchased the Deaverview Mountain property and signed a three-year option agreement with SAHC that allowed for time to find a permanent conservation solution. In partnership, SAHC and Buncombe County have worked to secure funding sources for the project that both enable protection of the land and allow it to be open for public use as a park. The land currently is not open to the public and will not be open to the public until the park infrastructure is completed. 

The property includes a 3,118-foot mountain peak, open space with 180-degree views of the French Broad River Valley, 16 headwater streams, and potential for passive recreation, hiking, and outdoor education.  

“We have been talking about protecting Deaverview Mountain for years,” said SAHC Executive Director Carl Silverstein. “The ridges surrounding Asheville are dotted with residential subdivisions, but this mountain begs for a different fate. It is part of our collective imagination and history – visible from Bearwallow Mountain, the Biltmore Estate, the airport, and the Blue Ridge Parkway. It’s the backdrop for Asheville in ‘Land of the Sky’ postcards going back to the 1930s, and needs to remain for people in Buncombe County and the region to enjoy forever.” 

Photo by Francis Nullet, via SAHC