This July, we have an exciting new visitor at Lake Norman State Park!
State Parks News
This page lists all state parks news releases and blogs. Use the dropdown to filter by park or section.
Lake Norman State Park, Interpretation and Education, Natural Resources, Operations
South Mountains State Park, Operations
Amanda Lasley, a veteran park ranger, has been named superintendent of South Mountains State Park in Burke County, according to the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation. Lasley takes the helm after longtime superintendent Jonathan Griffith retired earlier this year.
Mount Jefferson State Natural Area, New River State Park, Operations
Tracy Minton, the longtime superintendent at Elk Knob State Park, has been named superintendent of New River State Park in neighboring Alleghany and Ashe counties, according to the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation.
Jones Lake State Park, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, And Access, Operations
The Juneteenth 2023 celebration at Jones Lake State Park celebrated Dewitt Powell, the first Black superintendent of the park.
Carolina Beach State Park, Cliffs of the Neuse State Park, Falls Lake State Recreation Area, Hammocks Beach State Park, Hanging Rock State Park, Jockeys Ridge State Park, Jordan Lake State Recreation Area, Lake James State Park, Lake Norman State Park, Morrow Mountain State Park, Interpretation and Education, Operations
Several North Carolina state parks, in partnership with the North Carolina chapter of the American Canoe Association (ACA) and the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, will offer low-cost kayaking instruction at state parks statewide Saturday, May 20.
Carvers Creek State Park, Chimney Rock State Park, Elk Knob State Park, Eno River State Park, Grandfather Mountain State Park, Hanging Rock State Park, Mount Mitchell State Park, Pettigrew State Park, Pisgah View State Park, Raleigh Office, Engineering and Construction, Land Protection and Acquisition, Operations, Planning, Recreation Grants and Outreach, Trails Program
The $17.4 million will fund nine capital improvements projects and six land acquisitions.
Bobs Creek State Natural Area, Operations
The state natural area was authorized in 2017.
Pilot Mountain State Park, Operations
RALEIGH, N.C. — Jason Anthony is the new superintendent of Pilot Mountain State Park, according to the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation. Anthony succeeds Matt Windsor, who served as park superintendent since 2008 and moved to Hammocks Beach State Park in 2021.
Operations
Joe Shimel is the new east district superintendent of North Carolina state parks, according to the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation. Shimel succeeds Sarah Kendrick, who served as acting superintendent beginning in 2020.
Gorges State Park, Operations
Kevin Bischof is the new superintendent of Gorges State Park in Transylvania County, according to the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation.
Falls Lake State Recreation Area, Operations
Crystal Lloyd joins David Mumford as superintendent at Falls Lake State Recreation Area.
Marketing and Communications, Operations
State parks and recreation areas welcomed 19.8 million visitors in 2020 year — 400,000 more than any other year on record and 1.2 million more visitors than in 2019.
Operations
Kathy Capps, a 20-year employee of city of Raleigh’s Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department, is the new state parks deputy director for operations.
Mayo River State Park, Operations
Jessica Phillips, a 12-year employee of the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation, is the new superintendent at Mayo River State Park in Rockingham County.
Morrow Mountain State Park, Engineering and Construction, Operations
Thanks to a generous donation from the late Tom Rabe, his wife Jean and the Rabe family, a new 1,000 square foot observation deck is now open on top of Morrow Mountain.