Charles D. Owen Park in Swannanoa was devastated by Tropical Storm Helene and has been closed since the storm due to damage – but that’s not the end of its story. The next chapter starts now, as Buncombe County Parks & Recreation partners with the community to reimagine, redesign, and rebuild Owen Park.   Explore this page to learn more about the project and find out how to get involved.

Buncombe County is building a plan to make walking easier in unincorporated areas of the County outside of municipal limits. The County’s first Pedestrian Plan is a big-picture vision for a network of sidewalks and crosswalks. The goal is to connect neighborhoods to key places like schools, job centers, and other important spots so people can walk more comfortably and conveniently.  Timeline  The project began in the summer of 2025 and is expected to wrap up within about 12 months.  Initial community engagement events and outreach will start in the fall of 2025. Surveys and feedback opportunities will gather important data along the way. Our community and the Steering Committee will offer guidance and direct the plan before it goes before the Board of Commissioners.  Funding  The Buncombe County Pedestrian plan is funded by Federal aid through the North Carolina Department of Transportation.  How to Get Involved To learn more about community meetings, Steering Committee opportunities, and feedback options, subscribe for updates below.   

As Buncombe County recovers from the impacts of Hurricane Helene, this site will provide timely updates on the work done to support our community in a number of key areas and offer a place for residents to ask questions, provide input, and have a voice in the rebuilding process. Sign up to receive email updates below.

The Buncombe County 2043 Comprehensive Plan was adopted in 2023 and identified the Swannanoa corridor as one of several areas of the county in need of more detailed planning. The devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene have increased the need for a plan for Swannanoa's future growth and recovery. A Small Area Plan identifies a specific neighborhood or geographic boundary and outlines a detailed plan for addressing future change in a way that responds to the unique characteristics and needs of the area. This page will be used to provide updates during the planning process. 

The Buncombe County Board of Elections is responsible for conducting local elections, operating and preparing voting sites, maintaining voter registration lists, and handling many other aspects of elections administration. The State Board works with county boards of elections offices to ensure elections are conducted lawfully and fairly.  Among other duties, the Buncombe County Board of Elections: Makes and issues rules, regulations, and instructions necessary for the guidance of election officers and voters.Appoints chief judges, judges, assistants, and other elections officials, and determine where they will serve. The county board also removes officials if the need arises.Investigates irregularities, nonperformance of duties, and violations of laws by election officers and other persons, and report violations to the State Board. Contracts for the printing of ballots and other supplies used in registration and elections; and provide for the delivery of ballots, pollbooks, and other required papers and materials to voting places.Buys and maintains voting booths, ballot boxes, registration and pollbooks, maps, flags, cards of instruction, and other forms, papers, and equipment used in elections.Counts absentee and provisional ballots and other official ballots required to be counted. Certifies results in all ballot items on the official ballot in the county.Orders a recount in any ballot item where necessary to complete the canvass.Conducts any recount ordered by the county board or State Board.Conducts hearings on election protests. For more information about the Buncombe County Board of Elections, click here.