State awards funding for park acquisitions and development
Looking north from the Elk Knob State Park summit. The park is one of several recreation areas to receive end-of-year funding from the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation. Photo by C. Peek/ncparks.gov
State and local parks in North Carolina are getting a boost thanks to nearly $14 million in end-of-year funding.
The money was announced last week by the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation. It’s allocated both for land acquisition and for a variety of park improvement projects.
In Guilford County, the town of Summerfield will receive $500,000 toward the development of Bandera Farms Park. Town officials say the park will be a critical part of the Piedmont Greenway, which is expected to connect Greensboro and Winston-Salem. Planners also hope to develop over four miles of dedicated horse trails.
Elk Knob State Park in Watauga County will receive $330,000 to protect high-value conservation land along the eastern rim of Long Hope Valley. Elk Knob is one of the newest state parks, having been established in 2003, and is a popular destination for visitors seeking to view fall foliage.
And over $700,000 is being directed to Lumber River State Park in Robeson County to protect forested areas along the river.
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