Helene Recovery Fund for PARTF

The Disaster Recovery Act of 2025 (SL 2025-26, House Bill 1012) was ratified on June 27, 2025, allocating $4,158,875 to the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund for eligible uses in the affected area for local governments. Per statue, the North Carolina Parks and Recreation Authority shall not impose the maximum grant size set forth in NCAC Subchapter 13K .0100 with respect to funds provided by this subdivision. The Helene Recovery Fund has been allocated to the Parks & Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF), so the grant program will be administered through the PARTF administrative code and awards will be selected by the Parks & Recreation Authority.

  • Total awarded to local projects: More than $4.1 million
  • Number of projects funded: 11
  • Funding source: Disaster Recovery Act of 2025 Part II (SL 2025-26)

Unlike the traditional PARTF grant cycle, local governments were not limited in how much funding they could request. However, all recipients were still required to provide a dollar-for-dollar match.

Administered by the Grants and Outreach team through NC State Parks, these grants will help communities restore and enhance outdoor recreation opportunities following Hurricane Helene.

Helene Recovery Fund for PARTF Awards

Project SponsorCountyProject NameGrant Award
Ashe CountyAsheFamily Central Splash$300,000
AshevilleBuncombeAzalea Recreation Park$345,000
Avery CountyAveryHodge Turbyfill Park$987,500
Banner ElkAveryTate Evans Park$204,201
Beech MountainWataugaShane Park$353,250
Buncombe CountyBuncombeBoat Launch Replacement-French Broad River$284,368
CantonHaywoodSorrells Park$403,804
HendersonvilleHendersonSullivan Park$361,762
MontreatBuncombeFlat Creek$307,274
Seven DevilsWataugaOtter Falls Trail Repair$117,716
Watauga CountyWataugaCove Creek Park$494,000

Grant Recipients

Helene Recovery Fund is distributed through PARTF. See the PARTF Manual and Forms on the PARTF recipient page.
  • Total Helene Recovery Fund allocation: $12.25 million
The legislation, signed by Josh Stein in June 2025, directed funding to support recovery efforts for parks and recreation areas impacted by Hurricane Helene.
Of the total allocation:
  • 65% was designated for state parks and DuPont State Recreational Forest
  • 35% was designated for local governments

Meet our Grants and Outreach Team

The Grants and Outreach Team (GO) in NC State Parks administers Parks and Trails Grants for local communities throughout North Carolina including: Federal Grants from Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF), non-recurring state grants including: Accessibility Grants, the Helene Recovery Fund through PARTF and the Great Trails State Program (GTSP).

Find your RRS Regional Consultant

The Recreation Resources Service is a technical assistance program jointly administered by the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation and North Carolina State University's Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management. RRS provides field administration for grants administered NC State Parks.
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