This news item expired on Tuesday, March 17, 2020 so the information below could be outdated or incorrect.
Buncombe County continues to invest in enhancements including a new playground, advance floating docks, and updated paddleboats at Lake Julian Park, one of the most popular outdoor destinations in the area. That won’t stop under the direction of the new Park Ranger Supervisor.
“I am excited to be a part of an ever growing and changing park,” said Matt Dixon. “I look forward to helping make Lake Julian Park a place that our community wants to spend its time. David Blynt, the previous Supervisor, has done an awesome job at this park in his long career with the department. I will take what I have learned from him and apply it to the future.”
Lake Julian was created in 1963 to provide cooling water to the generating plant of Carolina Power and Light serving the Asheville area. Duke Energy Progress, successor organization to CP&L and current owner of the lake, has announced plans to shut down its coal-fired units and invest in a new combined-cycle natural gas plant at the site. The City of Asheville leased the park area until the mid-1970s when Buncombe County Recreation Services took over operations.
Dixon says the biggest challenge may be continuing to build on the park’s reputation as a great community space for fishing, picnicking, sailing, rowing, and other outdoor activities. “We especially don’t want to miss a beat when it comes to events like Independence Day, Fall Festival, Festival of Lights, and kids fishing tournaments that friends and neighbors attend every year.”
However, expect more from the Lake Julian team. In terms of plans, Dixon says the staff is looking forward to bringing new events and experiences to the park. “Buncombe County has a great space here and we want the community to know about it and enjoy it.”
Lake Julian Park, located at 406 Overlook Road Extension in Arden, offers fishing, picnic and grilling areas, playgrounds, paddleboat rentals, volleyball, horseshoes, sailboat and kayak storage, covered pavilion rentals, and water access along a picturesque 300-acre lake. It is open from 8 a.m. until dusk year round, seven days a week except for Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.
Follow Buncombe County Recreation on Facebook and Instagram.