DNCR Announces $26.5 Million in Recreation Grants from Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund

The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) announced today that the Land and Water Conservation Fund, a program under the federal Department of the Interior, has awarded over $26.5 million in matching grants to support outdoor recreation projects across North Carolina. These funds, matched by state and local agencies, will result in a total investment of $56 million to enhance parks and outdoor recreational spaces statewide.

"North Carolina's beautiful and diverse landscapes are perfect for people to get outside and play, improve their health, find peace, and have a great time," said DNCR Secretary Pamela B. Cashwell. "We are appreciative of this federal investment that will be instrumental in bringing tourism and economic benefits to communities across the state."

North Carolina receives an annual allocation from LWCF, which is managed by DNCR through the Division of Parks and Recreation. The annual funding is split between N.C. State Parks and park projects at the county or municipal level. For fiscal year 2025-26, the state's allocation is increasing from $7.8 million to $10.69 million.

The $7.8 million allocation for fiscal year 2024-25 was awarded to two state projects and four local projects. These projects will significantly enhance outdoor recreation opportunities, protect critical natural resources, and generate a total impact of $17.6 million across the state.

State Parks Acquisition Projects

1. Weymouth Wood Sandhills Nature Preserve in Moore County received $1.7 million to add the 306-acre Paint Hill Farm to the Paint Hill Tract of the state natural area.

2. Lumber River State Park in Robeson County received $3.6 million to conserve a 2,965-acre tract of land to extend future access along 8 river miles.

Local Park Projects

1. Johnston County awarded $500,000 for the development of Johnston County Regional Park.

2. Jones County awarded $300,000 for constructing new trails and facilities at Brock Mill Pond.

3. Harnett County awarded $500,000 for adding new facilities during the phase 1 project at Neill's Creek Park.

4. Town of Lawndale in Cleveland County and Cleveland County Water awarded $500,000 for improvements to the narrows segment of the Stagecoach Greenway.

"We look forward to seeing the impacts of these LWCF grants to state parks and local communities," said State Parks Director Brian Strong. "Green spaces in both urban and rural settings improve the quality of life for those able to access them, and grant funding is crucial to make more parks more accessible to more people."

In addition to the grant recipients selected for the annual LWCF allocation, three projects were awarded the last fiscal year, FY24-25, through the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) fund. ORLP is a highly competitive subset program of the LWCF, focused on expanding outdoor recreation opportunities in underserved urban communities across the U.S.

1. Buncombe County secured $4.5 million for land acquisition to preserve the highly visible and ecologically significant ridgeline of Deaverview Mountain. The mountain boasts peaks of over 3,000 feet and offers sweeping views of Asheville and the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains.

2. The Town of Garner in Wake County received over $6.2 million to complete Yeargan Park, a multi-purpose sports complex designed to support the growing community and improve access to green spaces.

3. The City of Raleigh in Wake County was awarded over $8.6 million to establish Smoky Hollow Park by transforming the 14-acre Devereux Meadow from a maintenance site into a nature-based public urban park.

Assistance to local grant applicants, including ORLP applicants, is provided through a partnership with Recreation Resources Service at N.C. State University.

About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
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.

The department manages over 100 locations across the state, including 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, five science museums, four aquariums, 35 state parks, four recreation areas, dozens of state trails and natural areas, the North Carolina Zoo, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, the American Indian Heritage Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of State Archaeology, the Highway Historical Markers program, the N.C. Land and Water Fund, and the Natural Heritage Program. For more information, please visit https://www.dncr.nc.gov.

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