Gov. Roy Cooper today announced $6.2 million in grants to fund local parks and recreation projects through this year’s awards of the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF).
The N.C. Parks and Recreation Trust Fund Authority selected 22 projects across North Carolina to receive grants at a meeting held Aug. 25 at the North Carolina Nature Research Center in Raleigh.
“Parks and recreation opportunities promote health and wellbeing and improve quality of life for people across North Carolina,” Governor Cooper said in announcing the grants. “I am proud that our Parks and Recreation Trust Fund is able to support these local projects to strengthen communities.”
Local communities applied for the grants to fund land acquisition, development and renovation of public park and recreation areas. The N.C. Parks and Recreation Authority considered 60 grant applications requesting nearly $18.3 million. The maximum grant awarded for a single project under the program was $500,000. Awardees must match funds dollar-for-dollar for the awarded amount.
Susi Hamilton, secretary of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, spent many years working in community planning and appreciates the local impact of the PARTF grants. “These projects are shining examples of how we can make the most out of our communities. From small towns to big cities, these projects will create new opportunities for us all to connect with our fellow North Carolinians.”
“North Carolinians absolutely love their parks,” said Reid Wilson, chief deputy secretary of N.C. DNCR. “Congratulations to the local governments that won grants to create and expand park facilities that will improve health and quality of life in their communities.”
Bringing communities together through parks and greenspace throughout the state stands out to Mike Murphy, director of the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation. "Communities thrive when great parks and greenspace become central to the daily lives of their citizens,” he said. “The Parks and Recreation Trust Fund has worked since 1995 to help communities build on their commitments to conservation, recreation and economic opportunity,” he said.
The Parks and Recreation Trust Fund is administered through the state Division of Parks and Recreation and was established in 1994 by the N.C. General Assembly.
The local governments awarded grants are:
- City of Burlington: Willowbrook Park
- Halifax County: Halifax County Recreation Improvements
- Town of Oak Island: Middleton Park Redevelopment
- City of Sanford: Kiwanis Family Park Renovations
- Catawba County: Riverbend Park Expansion
- Yadkin County: Yadkin Memorial Park Recreation
- Nash County: Nash County Play Together Regional Park
- Alamance County: Haw River Trail Mountains to Sea Trail
- Davidson County: Wil-Cox Bridge Recreation Area
- Town of New London: New London Park Project
- Greene County: Greene County Wellness Center
- City of Wilson: Cavalier Terrace
- City of Archdale: Creekside Park Enhancements
- Polk County: Little White Oak Mountain
- Town of Valdese: Lake Rhodhiss Park Acquisition
- Town of North Topsail Beach: Town Park Renovation
- Town of Forest City: Thermal Belt Phase Trail Phase 1
- Burke County: Fonta Flora State Trail
- Town of Tarboro: Braswell Playground Renovations
- Chatham County: Enhancement of Briar Chapel Park
- Town of Oakboro: Long Street Veteran’s Park Project
- City of Dunn: Clarence Lee Tart Park Improvements