The City of Asheville, North Carolina, has selected global design practice Sasaki to help rebuild and reimagine public parks and greenways along nearly five miles of the French Broad River, following extensive damage caused by Tropical Storm Helene in September 2024.
Working closely with city leaders and the local community, Sasaki will support Asheville’s recovery by restoring cherished park amenities while creating a resilient riverfront landscape designed to adapt to future flooding and climate change. The project reflects Asheville’s evolving relationship with nature, as the city continues its transition from an industrial riverfront legacy to one centered on environmental stewardship, recreation, and quality of life.
“Asheville’s natural beauty is one of its greatest public assets, and the community’s passion for the French Broad River is tangible,” said Anna Cawrse, Principal and Landscape Architect at Sasaki. “We are honored to partner with the city and its residents to rebuild the park system, creating resilient public spaces that celebrate both recovery and connection.”
The scope of work will prioritize restoring the programs and spaces most valued by residents, while introducing adaptive strategies that allow parks and greenways to work with water rather than against it. Sasaki’s approach emphasizes flexible landscapes that can safely flood, recover quickly, and remain functional over time.
The project will be primarily funded through the FEMA Public Assistance Program, HUD’s Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery, along with local grants and capital funding sources. Sasaki will begin with a comprehensive assessment of existing conditions and a robust community engagement process to inform the design. Construction will be phased to ensure that portions of the riverfront remain accessible to the public during redevelopment.
This initiative builds on Sasaki’s extensive experience in post-disaster recovery and waterfront resilience planning, including recent projects along the Ohio River in Evansville, Indiana; the Lake Monona waterfront in Madison, Wisconsin; and the Mississippi River in Davenport, Iowa.
With this appointment, Asheville takes a significant step toward rebuilding not just infrastructure, but a stronger, more climate-resilient public realm along one of the city’s most important natural corridors.
