The North Carolina Parks and Recreation Authority, which oversees the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF), recently approved $17.4 million to fund nine capital improvement projects and six land acquisitions for North Carolina state parks, according to the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation. The Authority approved the investments at its meeting held November 4 at the state arboretum in Asheville.
“These land acquisition and park improvement projects will both expand our state parks system and repair and restore facilities and trails for the benefit of the people of North Carolina as well as visitors to our state,” said N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Secretary D. Reid Wilson. “We are grateful to the General Assembly and Governor Cooper for providing significantly increased investments in the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund over the last 2 years.”
Capital improvement projects funded include historic building renovations at Carvers Creek and Hanging Rock state parks, campground renovations at Pettigrew State Park, upgraded sewer systems at Chimney Rock State Park, and development of a trailhead and trail construction along the Northern Peaks State Trail at Elk Knob State Park. Funding approved for park planning projects will fund management plans for state parks and the State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan. Funding was also approved for repairs and renovations to state park facilities systemwide.
A total of $2.1 million was approved by the Authority for land acquisition at five state parks. These include 215 acres that will connect two tracts of land at Mount Mitchell State Park, and 58 acres to connect Elk Knob State Park to Peak Mountain.
Several of the approved projects will supplement Connect N.C. Bond projects. These include projects at Carvers Creek, Grandfather Mountain, Pettigrew and Hanging Rock state parks.
The full list of approved funding for Fiscal Year 2022-2023:
Land Acquisition Projects
| Park | County | Acres | Description | Funding |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elk Knob | Watauga | 58 | Multiple tracts for trail connectivity to Peak Mountain | $858,500 |
| Eno River | Durham, Orange | 15 | Park buffer and expansion of high-quality natural communities | $355,000 |
| Hanging Rock | Stokes | 4 | Inholding near Hooker Farm Road | $350,000 |
| Mount Mitchell | Yancey | 215 | Tract connecting two sections of Mount Mitchell State Park | $250,000 |
| Pisgah View | Buncombe | 1.7 | Inholding including a house; lands protect water quality at stream frontage | $300,000 |
Capital Projects
| Project Type | Park | County | Amount | Project Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bond Supplement | Carvers Creek | Cumberland | $1,582,060 | Renovation of Rockefeller house, parking addition, restrooms, trails |
| Bond Supplement | Grandfather Mountain | Avery, Caldwell, Watauga | $693,448 | New maintenance area |
| Bond Supplement | Hanging Rock | Stokes | $2,900,000 | Renovation of hotel, roads, parking, demolition, utility services, EV chargers |
| Bond Supplement | Pettigrew | Tyrell | $1,949,619 | Renovation of existing campground and renovation of contact station |
| Capital | Chimney Rock | Rutherford | $249,005 | Renovation of sewer system at top of mountain and connecting to city sewer system |
| Capital | Elk Knob | Watauga | $3,400,000 | Development of trailhead and construction of trail along the Northern Peaks Trail |
| Planning | Multiple Parks | $400,000 | Development of planning documents including Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan, small area plans at parks, and Pisgah View master plan | |
| Trails | Systemwide | $1,100,000 | Trail maintenance throughout the park system and cost share for recreational trails program projects | |
| Major Maintenance | Systemwide | $3,250,000 |
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, the State Preservation Office and the Office of State Archaeology, and the Division of Land and Water Stewardship. For more information, please visit ncdcr.gov.