Carrier Park — Attraction in Asheville

I've lived most of my life in and around Buncombe County, the home of Carrier Park. As the city of Asheville can be proud of its greenways, Carrier Park has to be the elite of parks in the area.

Built around the old "New Asheville Speedway", the park offers unique fun-filled family experiences, ranging from biking, walking, roller hockey, picnicking, and so much more. My time at the park recently was based on food, as family gathered for a meal, following a memorial service for a relative.

Though somber the mood, the love of family and friends in the park, alongside the French Broad River on a beautiful afternoon, brightened the spirits of everyone there. Though sheds are available, we chose to be out in the open on that sunny day. And as most days, the park didn't disappoint with plenty of families gathered to enjoy an autumn afternoon in Asheville.

If you're not familiar with Carrier Park, you have access to the track via a ramp/steps. Got a bike? Simply push it up and over the winding ramp and enjoy a "fantasy bike race" around the oval track, once used for stock car racing. Local legends raced in Asheville for years down by the river on Friday nights during the season. Now, with a memorial and a paved track still intact, that part of the park is preserved for other types of memories and fun entertainment.

I give the park a 4 Star review, selfishly I might add.

I was one of many thousands of fans that cherished my time at the speedway when I was just a boy. Friday Night Lights are known for its High School Football these days, but back in the 1970's, it was under the pretence of racing in Asheville. My favorite place to be on a Friday night back in the day, watching my favorite, Bob Presley and his red #54 whipping around the track, competing with other local racing legends, as racing fans from all over, like acting legend James Garner and others, come to enjoy the engines roaring into the night.

Reasons as to why the track closed is still argued in inner circles today. And racing fans still seem bitter as to why, and understandably so. But that doesn't mean, even though racing has been missing in Asheville for many years, even race fans completely understand the fact that the unique quality Carrier Park has much to offer the fair citizens of our community, and tourists alike.

Bored with the downtown scene and all the negativity that even a small city can bring in an atmosphere of discontentment? Try out an afternoon of fun at Carrier Park. Play some volleyball or ride a bike. Even bring a meal for later. Don't forget the chicken, I might be pretty hungry.

Oh, that's right! It's a public park, but unwanted guests looking for a drumstick isn't one's "cup of tea". I prefer thighs myself!

Oh, and one more thing, there has been flooding over the years, and Carrier Park has been under water often enough. Roller blade at your discretion during those times of, shall we say, "high tide".

Enjoy Carrier Park, and remember, there are still some good in the world, when there...

Carrier Park is a multi-purpose outdoor recreational facility along the French Broad River in Asheville. Though compact in size, Carrier Park attracts individuals of all ages. Carrier park offers sport facilities for baseball, soccer, volleyball, basketball, and even inline hockey. For those who enjoy a more gentle outdoor experience, there is even a bocce ball court. There are multi-use walking and bicycle paths for visitors of all ages to experience. On a recent visit, I enjoyed a circular walk of 1 1/2 miles around the facility and the surrounding banks of the French Broad River.

The star attraction of Carrier Park is the 1/3 mile velodrome. For those unaware of its history, NASCAR held dirt track races here from the early 60s to around 2000. The land was eventually purchased and gifted to the city. The city upgraded the track to the banked circular bicycle track you see today. The velodrome is formerly recognized by USA Cycling Association but is more commonly referred to as the mellowdrome by locals. The term describes the mild banking to which riders of all ages of fixed bicycles can enjoy whatever level of riding experience you hold.

I very much enjoyed my time at Carrier Park, and I hope you all give it a visit soon yourself. I think you will come away just...

What an amazing Park! I actually just stumbled across it while I was heading to the hospital after getting rear-ended on the highway. On the way back I stopped to check it out. They were tons of people they're doing all kinds of things. They have basketball courts, volleyball, Open Fields and in the middle there was a large circular track that looked something directly out of the Olympics. There were people bike riding, cycling and running. They also had an outdoor hockey rink that the local North Carolina roller derby team I was practicing, which was very cool to watch. Saw people dance roller skating just all kinds of stuff. There was even a little race car Memorial here as well. If I lived in the area I could see me hanging out here every weekend. Then it's based right on the side of a river which just maybe a half a mile down the road was a inner tube and kayak place you could rent to go into the river. Definitely a...