Pack Square Park

Such a mixed bag, depending on the event. We have been going to pack Square for about 20 years now. During the day it’s lovely with the splash park, but sometimes in the evening, depending on the free concert, you do get some rowdy folks. Not super rowdy people, and it’s certainly not Our own house less folks, although some people like to blame the houseless population. They seem to be rowdy folks that are there to drink and they’re usually pretty drunk before the concert even starts. And they are stepping on people’s toes and not aware of their body and their surroundings and just generally making things dangerous. It would be lovely at the events when they are serving drinks if they had more police patrolling, again, not for our local houseless population, because they’re really not doing anything wrong, but for the rowdy who have clearly had too much to drink. And it also often seems like these folks are coming from out of town, because they talk about it, how much they love being able to go to Asheville and really listen to the music and get drunk. So I’m hoping we’re monitoring them. It would be lovely if there could be more police presence That is focused on those people overindulging and not focused on people just merely sitting and enjoying the park. All that said, if it is not a big free concert that folks are coming to drink and be loud, it is a super safe space. We have had our kids’ ballet recitals there. We have had all sorts of lovely family- focused activities there. It just seems to be the bigger names that draw the crowds for the free concerts (often out of town, and I also see them littering and throwing things around. Hey, it’s not their town, right)? So they’re disrespecting our park. I would love to see more police presence handling those folks in particular. This concert in particular that you see in the photos, in one where my husband performed with the Asheville beer choir, as an opener before a big headliner. And I guess it had been a long time since we’d gone to a big headliner event, but wow, we were surprised at the rowdiness.

Asheville's Beautiful Downtown park. Easy and Walkable distance from public parking lot.

Nice lil place to hang out - had some fun stuff going on there last night

Beautiful place to let kids run around. Hotel parking lot across the street is very convenient. The fountain is a splash pad for kids. Nice size field for soccer or Frisbee. Can walk about 2 minutes and be at center of downtown. Plenty of restaurants in the area. Fire station nearby that my kid loves to watch them come and go. Glad to see an officer patrolling during Shindig on the Green. Especially with all the recent uptick in violent crimes this past week.

Great place to bring lunch and sit in the shade for people watching, catching up on Journaling, reading, or enjoying the day.

Checked out Shindig on the Green for the first time in years. It was lovely- recommend sitting close.

Pack Square Park was named in 1903 after the land was donated by philanthropist George Pack in 1901. It's had a long history. The modern park now hosts restrooms, a splash pad, and stage located in front of the City Hall and County Courthouse. The park continues on to the former location of the Vance Monument which the city removed but oddly left the base of it remain. They really should think things through and finish a project in such a central location. The stage portion of the park is often used for events, concerts, and etc. The park is a great area in which to relax when downtown. There is street parking and a city parking garage nearby. Many restaurants border or are in close walking distance from the park.

I visited during Boomtown FestAVL and what a great way to experience Pack Square Park! There were numerous vendors, food trucks and music. So many talented artists there, I definitely didn't get to see everything. Tons of people watching and just a really great energy to be surrounded with! It was incredible to get to hear the Asheville Symphony play while enjoying the beautiful park! Ten STARS! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Really close to the Asheville Art Museum!