State Parks News

This page lists all state parks news releases and blogs. Use the dropdown to filter by park or section.

Local Parks Projects Awarded McIntyre Gift Funds by Parks and Recreation Authority

Recreation Grants and Outreach

The Parks and Recreation Authority has awarded three local park projects a total of $491,893 in grants from the bequest of Ms. Barbara McIntyre to the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF). All three selected projects are in Tier 1 Counties.

Bischof Named Superintendent of Gorges State Park

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.

Dismal Swamp State Park Will Close For Major Bridge Repairs

Dismal Swamp State Park, Engineering and Construction
Dismal Swamp State Park will be closed for major bridge repairs.

Lloyd Joins Mumford As Falls Lake Superintendent

Falls Lake State Recreation Area, Operations
Crystal Lloyd joins David Mumford as superintendent at Falls Lake State Recreation Area.

Get On The PATH To Health and Wellbeing at N.C. Parks, Museums and Historic Sites

Marketing and Communications
The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources is launching a new online campaign to encourage North Carolinians to get moving and get outside.

North Carolina State Parks Report Record 19.8 Million Visitors in 2020

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.

N.C. State Park Lands and Waters Now Total 250,000 Acres

Land Protection and Acquisition
The N.C. state parks system now includes 250,000 acres of land and water. Recent acquisitions, including 230 acres for Deep River State Trail and 300 acres for Salmon Creek State Natural Area, brought the system’s acreage up to the new total in late 2020.

Dwayne Patterson To Resume Position as Director of N.C. State Parks

Office of the Director
Dwayne Patterson will return to N.C. DNCR as director of Division of Parks and Recreation beginning Feb. 1. Patterson was on temporary assignment as Deputy Director/Chief Operating Officer for the N.C. Pandemic Recovery Office since May of this year.

Former City of Raleigh Parks Superintendent to Head State Parks Operations

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.

Public Input Sought for Hickory Nut Gorge State Trail Master Plan

Planning, Trails Program
The N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation launched a new web page to seek public input as staff develop the Hickory Nut Gorge State Trail master plan

Phillips to Serve as Superintendent at Mayo River State Park

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.

N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation Seeks Public Input on Mayo River State Park Master Plan

Mayo River State Park, Planning
The N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation is seeking public input on the Mayo River State Park Master Plan, a long-term plan that provides access to more than 16 river miles of the Mayo River in Rockingham County.

Rabe Family Donates New Observation Deck at Morrow Mountain State Park

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.

Parks and Recreation Trust Fund Receives Million Dollar Donation for Restoration, Education, Accessibility

Hanging Rock State Park, Recreation Grants and Outreach
A gift of more than $1 million from Ms. Barbara Rose McIntyre to the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund will be directed to projects including restoration, education and accessibility for children. 

Morrow Mountain State Park Grows by Over 20% With Land Donation

Morrow Mountain State Park, Land Protection and Acquisition
Morrow Mountain State Parks grows by over 20% with land donation. The donation was over 1,000 acres. The donation is part of ALCOA Corporation’s Federal Energy Regulatory Commission relicensing agreement.