The N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation announced that the Parks and Recreation Authority has awarded over $7.6 million from the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund for state parks projects for fiscal year 2024-25. Over $1.2 million was approved for two land acquisition projects and an additional $6.4 million-plus for five capital projects and statewide maintenance.
"Funding from the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund to expand and enhance state parks plays a vital role in preserving North Carolina’s remarkable natural areas, while also offering outdoor recreation and educational experiences throughout the state," said D. Reid Wilson, Secretary of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. "We are grateful for the continued financial support from the General Assembly and Governor Roy Cooper."
The land acquisition projects are:
• Wilderness Gateway State Trail in McDowell County: $1 million for Pinnacle Mountains East and West projects, totaling 2,410 acres just west of Bob's Creek State Natural Area, which have already secured partial funding from the N.C. Land and Water Fund and the Complete the Trails Program
• William B. Umstead State Park in Wake County: $225,000 for 1.7-acre Beals Tract southwest of the Reedy Creek entrance of the park
The capital projects are:
• Carvers Creek State Park in Cumberland County: $500,000 for renovations to the historic Long Valley Farm and Rockefeller House
• Dismal Swamp State Park in Camden County: $600,000 for a building to store and protect trail maintenance and canal system equipment
• Stone Mountain State Park in Wilkes County: $1.1 million to replace the stairs and overlook near Stone Mountain Falls along the Stone Mountain Park Loop Trail
• Elk Knob State Park / Northern Peaks State Trail in Ashe County: $1.8 million to develop a public access area (including parking, vault toilet, trail, and picnic area) for the state trail along Peak Road, northeast of the state park's main access area
• Bob's Creek State Natural Area in McDowell County: $150,000 to undertake the design for the initial access area (including parking, vault toilet, trail, picnic area, and picnic shelter) for Bob's Creek, a state natural area authorized by the General Assembly in 2017 and spans over 6,000 acres in the Foothills
In addition, over $2.2 million for repairs and preventative maintenance throughout the state parks system were also approved.
The Parks and Recreation Trust Fund is administered through the division. The state receives 65 percent of the fund's annual appropriation and revenue for state parks projects and projects at the DuPont Recreational State Forest.
"These projects contribute to our ability to fulfill our three-pillar mission of conservation, education, and recreation," said Division Director Brian Strong. "We are also eager to establish and provide additional public access opportunities to newer units of the state parks system like the Northern Peaks and Wilderness Gateway state trails and Bob's Creek State Natural Area. That these new accesses will serve areas that were hit hard by Hurricane Helene is certainly fortuitous as we contribute to the recovery and rebuilding of western North Carolina."
The funding was allocated by the nine-member Parks and Recreation Authority at their November meeting at Pilot Mountain State Park. Also at the meeting, new Authority member Addie Corder, representing Randolph County, was sworn in. Authority member Barnes Sutton, now representing Brunswick County and who was re-appointed to a 3-year term, was also sworn in.
About North Carolina State Parks
North Carolina State Parks manages more than 262,000 acres of iconic landscape within North Carolina’s state parks, state recreation areas and state natural areas. It administers the N.C. Parks and Recreation Trust Fund, including its local grants program, as well as a state trails program, North Carolina Natural and Scenic Rivers and more, all with a mission dedicated to conservation, recreation and education. The state parks system welcomes more than 19 million visitors annually.
The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina – its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. Through its programs, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency.