The North Carolina Parks and Recreation Authority, which oversees the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF), recently approved $13.7 million to fund 11 capital improvement projects for North Carolina state parks, according to the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation. The Authority approved the investments at its first quarterly meeting in 2023, held virtually on Jan. 9.
“These much-needed park improvement projects will bring several of our state parks facilities at some of our most visited parks up to modern standards to improve our visitors’ experiences in the parks,” said N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Secretary D. Reid Wilson. “We remain grateful to the General Assembly and Governor Roy Cooper for providing significantly increased investments in the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund over the last two years, a clear recognition of the importance of our state parks to the people and economy of North Carolina.”
Capital improvement projects funded include maintenance facility renovations at Carolina Beach, overlook and trail improvements at Crowders Mountain, a disc golf course at Falls Lake, family campground renovations at Hanging Rock, a new restroom at Mount Jefferson, and renovation of shower houses at Jordan Lake.
The full list of approved funding from the Jan. 9 meeting:
Capital Projects
| Park Unit | Project Description | Funding Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Carvers Creek State Park | Renovation of two structures at Sandhills access | $200,000 |
| Carolina Beach State Park | Maintenance facility improvements | $2,200,000 |
| Crowders Mountain State Park | Overlook and trail improvements | $2,000,000 |
| Falls Lake State Recreation Area | Disc golf course | $71,265 |
| Fort Fisher State Recreation Area | Repairs to beach access and boardwalks | $500,000 |
| Hanging Rock State Park | Family campground renovations | $3,000,000 |
| Hammocks Beach and Carolina Beach state parks | Dredging of Cow Channel at Hammocks Beach and marina at Carolina Beach | $2,000,000 |
| Jordan Lake State Recreation Area | Renovation and replacement of shower houses throughout the recreation area | $1,500,000 |
| Mayo River State Park | Residence renovations | $300,000 |
| Mount Jefferson State Natural Area | Restroom replacement | $1,000,000 |
| Mount Mitchell State Park | Maintenance facility renovations | $900,000 |
| Total | $13,671,265 |
About North Carolina State Parks
North Carolina State Parks manages more than 258,000 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 22.7 million visitors annually.
About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (NCDNCR) is the state agency with a vision to be the leader in using the state's natural and cultural resources to build the social, cultural, educational and economic future of North Carolina. NCDNCR's mission is to improve the quality of life in our state by creating opportunities to experience excellence in the arts, history, libraries and nature in North Carolina by stimulating learning, inspiring creativity, preserving the state's history, conserving the state's natural heritage, encouraging recreation and cultural tourism, and promoting economic development.
NCDNCR includes 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, three science museums, three aquariums and Jennette's Pier, 41 state parks and recreation areas, the N.C. Zoo, the N.C. Symphony Orchestra, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, State Preservation Office and the Office of State Archaeology, and the Division of Land and Water Stewardship. For more information, please visit ncdcr.gov.