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A Beloved Mountain – Saved!
On Thursday, March 19, 2026, Buncombe County Government closed on the purchase of the 342-acre Deaverview Mountain
Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy has been working on a conservation solution for the Deaverview Mountain tract over the past five years, in partnership with Buncombe County. We are thrilled to announce the completion of this crucial step in permanent protection of the beloved mountain.
“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,” said SAHC Land Protection Director Michelle Pugliese. “I’m thrilled that now it will be permanently protected and made available (in the future) as a park for adults and kids alike to explore, and to help people connect with nature for their physical, mental, and emotional health.”
SAHC will continue to be involved in the long-term protection of the land and water resources on the mountain. Because the land was secured in part with a NC Land and Water Fund grant, there is a conservation easement held by the State of NC that permanently protects the conservation values of the mountain (such as the streams and water resources). SAHC will monitor the conservation easement to protect the conservation values of the property for the long term.
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. The ORLP is a program of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), established by Congress in 2014, administered through the National Park Service, and funded by the LWCF.
“We are thrilled that many parts of our agency came together to support this exciting project, including the North Carolina Land and Water Fund and the Division of Parks and Recreation through crucial federal funding,” said N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Secretary Pamela B. Cashwell. “This new park will be the first large open space accessible to everyone in town, including nearby underserved communities that may not have ready access to a car.”
“We would not have reached this extraordinary position without our partners at the NC Land and Water Fund,” added Michelle. “The continued support of our state’s elected officials and the Land and Water Fund’s staff and board have been a pivotal key to unlock meaningful conservation across the state. We are grateful for the ongoing vision that makes this fund possible.”
SAHC’s work on this conservation project was also supported by a grant from The Conservation Alliance and generous donations from The Biltmore Company and SAHC members. Green South Foundation has been a critical partner in this project.
Partnership for a Park
“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.”
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. 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.
“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 from 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.”
Project Highlights
• Protects 3,118 ft peak, visible throughout Asheville from important locations like downtown, West Asheville, The Biltmore Estate, and the French Broad River.
• Provides stunning 180° views throughout the French Broad River Valley.
• Creates the opportunity for a public park featuring hiking, passive recreation, and opportunities for outdoor education.
• Proximity to existing public transportation infrastructure improves access by public.
• Protects 16 headwater streams that flow into surrounding waterways, including one that is a priority for state protection.
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What People Are Saying
“I applaud SAHC’s initiative to conserve this community asset and to convene many partners. With its proximity to a significant portion of our population, this mountain forest has tremendous potential to provide recreational and educational opportunities. I especially love the idea that anyone will be able to enjoy the most spectacular view in Asheville. This will be an enduring legacy.”
“We’re excited about the potential for a park to expand access to recreation, educational opportunities, and conservation of a remarkable natural resource. We look forward to working together to help make this vision a reality for Buncombe.”
“Not only will this space be a wonderful resource for the community, we are excited about the enrichment opportunities and educational connections we will be able to provide our students with access to this beautiful property.”
“Deaverview Mountain is already loved by a lot of people. You can see that mountain from everywhere. It just seems like the perfect location for a park and I’m glad that’s one of the options. Being outdoors changes lives, and the idea that families might be able to take a hike somewhere this beautiful and close to town in the future is exciting.”
“We have a crisis related to people’s disconnect from nature. It leads to anxiety when people see a natural place they treasure altered by road cuts and construction. Creating more public land on what is still untouched can really enhance public health. Connection to nature has been shown to reduce anxiety, and a new public park at Deaverview Mountain will offer both physical and mental health benefits to make our community stronger.”
