Deaverview Mountain – 342 Acres Protected!

After years of partnership efforts, the crest of Deaverview Mountain overlooking Asheville and surrounding areas has been permanently protected! For more than five years, Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy has been working on a permanent conservation solution for the land. 

On Thursday, March 19, Buncombe County Government closed on the purchase of the 342-acre Deaverview Mountain property. The acquisition will allow the County to create a new Buncombe County public park on the site, while preserving this significant natural asset in partnership with SAHC. 

“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 Land Protection Director Michelle Pugliese. “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.”

A Beloved Mountain – Saved!

Deaverview Mountain, situated near but sometimes confused with Spivey Mountain, has long been a beloved place. A few years ago, the Deaverview Mountain property was listed for sale under the subdivision name “The View of Asheville.” The online property listing touted ‘Outstanding views from the property extend[ing] to the horizon line over layers of mountain ridges in all directions.’

Reciprocally, the mountain features prominently in views from landmarks such as downtown Asheville, the Biltmore Estate, Mt. Mitchell, Mt. Pisgah, the Grove Park Inn, Weaverville, the French Broad River, and more. 

The seller of the property had an approved 21-estate-lot development plan on file. To take the land off the market and remove the immediate threat of development, a conservation-minded buyer purchased the property in March 2023 and signed a 3-year option agreement with SAHC, providing us with time to work out a permanent conservation solution.

Over the next three years, SAHC diligently identified and secured funding sources in partnership with Buncombe County to enable the property to be purchased and permanently protected. SAHC sought to assist Buncombe County in creating a park featuring hiking, passive recreation, and opportunities for outdoor education.

“The proximity of the mountain to existing public transportation infrastructure, the Johnston Elementary School, and local neighborhoods meant that a conservation + recreation outcome could be very desirable for this property,” said Michelle.

“We have been talking about protecting Deaverview Mountain for years,” said 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 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.”

Conservation values of the property include: 

• A 3,118 ft mountain peak
• Sixteen (16) headwater streams that flow into surrounding waterways, including one that is a priority for state protection
• Forested habitat
• Scenic beauty and open space with stunning 180° views throughout the French Broad River Valley

Future Park Plans

“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.”  

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. Though the property remains closed to the public at this time, the purchase is a big step toward building what will be the largest park in Buncombe County’s portfolio. 

Funding Conservation Success

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 Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership grant program provides funding to enhance recreation opportunities in rural and urban communities. A program of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), Congress established ORLP in 2014 to fill crucial gaps in urban access to recreation. The ORLP is managed by the National Park Service and funded through the LWCF; the program provides matching grants up to 50% of total project costs.

The NC Land and Water Fund is a program of the Division of Land and Water Stewardship within the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. Since its creation in 1996 by the General Assembly, the NCWLF, formerly known as the Clean Water Management Trust Fund, has conserved well over one-half million acres and protected or restored 3,000 miles of streams and rivers. 

“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.”

Green South Foundation was a critical partner in this conservation project. 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.

Looking Ahead

Now that the land has been acquired, Buncombe County staff will move forward with design and planning work, and input from the community, all of which will guide the adaptation of amenities that balance recreation and conservation goals.

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 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.