Grovemont Park
Swannanoa, NC
Green space from Stonewall Ave.PNG

News

Major Makeover Planned for  Grovemont Park Playground

The playground at Grovemont Park, adjacent to the Swannanoa Library, was constructed in 1999-2000 through a major fundraising and volunteer labor effort involving scores of Swannanoa residents. The project was coordinated by two local non-profits, the Friends of the Swannanoa Library, and the Swannanoa Community Council.

The playground and surrounding park have been enjoyed by literally thousands of families in the community for the past 16+
years. But after all those years of service, the playground is showing its age and is in need of an overhaul. An effort to completely replace the protective mulch and make other
repairs and improvements is in the planning stages. A generous grant from Buncombe County Parks & Recreation will help with some of the expenses, but more funding, materials,
planning, and labor are needed. 

The bulk of the community workdays will occur in early
March (stay tuned for updates as dates and details are finalized), and will require lots of volunteer labor for removing and spreading mulch, construction of timber planting beds, building and restoring walking paths, graffiti removal, and much more. Additional funding
and in-kind donations are also needed, along with ready-to-eat food for hungry volunteers.

If you're interested in volunteering time, or making an in-kind contribution of materials, food, etc., please contact George Scott at 828-779-7455 or sgss108@gmail.com. 

If you're interested in making a financial contribution, please send a check to Swannanoa Community Council, PO Box 1008, Swannanoa, NC, and write "Playground Project" in the memo line.

Thank you for your support in restoring this community gem!

The Community Works When We Work Together

New Performance Pavilion Coming to Grovemont Park - Spring 2018!

WHAT:  A permanent performance pavilion to be constructed in Grovemont Park, Swannanoa, NC, to provide a covered stage for community concerts and other events including the 15-year tradition of Groovin’ on Grovemont concert series, Cinema on the Square (outdoor movie night), as well as educational and entertainment programming for the families and children of the Swannanoa Valley.

WHEN: Fundraising is ongoing now.  Pavilion construction should be completed by May, 2018, in time for the annual summer Groovin’ on Grovemont concert series.

Artist Jerry Pope (Hare Brand Ideas) conception of the new Grovemont Park Performance Pavilion.

Artist Jerry Pope (Hare Brand Ideas) conception of the new Grovemont Park Performance Pavilion.

WHERE: Grovemont Park, adjacent to the Swannanoa Library, 101 West Charleston Ave, Swannanoa, NC, 28778

DETAILS: The Swannanoa Community Council (SCC), a non-profit organization operating in Swannanoa for over half a century, has received a $6,000 grant from Buncombe County Park & Recreation to assist in the construction of a covered outdoor performance space adjacent to the Swannanoa Library in the Grovemont neighborhood in Swannanoa, NC.

The total budget for the new performance space is approximately $14,000.  The Swannanoa Community Council is managing the project as well as contributing financially to the effort.  Two other Swannanoa-based non-profits, Friends of the Swannanoa Library and Friends and Neighbors of Swannanoa have also pledged their support.  Additional funding is being requested and encouraged from individuals, families, businesses, and other organizations in the Swannanoa Valley.  Tax-deductible donations can be made by credit/debit card through the GrovemontPark.org website, or by mailing checks to:  Swannanoa Community Council, P.O. Box 1008, Swannanoa, NC.

 

The performance pavilion will provide a permanent stage and structure for community events, including the annual Groovin’ on Grovemont concert series, a 15 year tradition.  The popular concert series takes place in July and August each year and historically has hosted live music performers under a temporary tent, on an aging wooden platform in Grovemont Park. The new performance pavilion will feature an accessible 15’ X 24’ covered stage.  The pavilion is designed to be an aesthetically-pleasing structure that will blend into yet enhance the existing park, featuring river-rock masonry that matches the historic rock wall that borders the Grovemont Park green space.  The architectural design for the structure has been provided by SCC board member, retired architect/professor, and long-time community service volunteer, Bill Bauman.

Community service volunteer, and architect for pavilion project, Bill Bauman

Community service volunteer, and architect for pavilion project, Bill Bauman

The Swannanoa Community Council's mission includes serving the residents of Swannanoa, the Swannanoa Valley, and the larger community.  The Swannanoa Community Council owns and manages properties in the Grovemont Community of Swannanoa including the building that houses the Swannanoa Library, Grovemont Park & Playground, and the Historic Grovemont Square green space.

Attendees enjoying Groovin' on Grovemont last year,

Attendees enjoying Groovin' on Grovemont last year,

Swannanoa Community Council