Press Releases

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 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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

State parks that closed due to COVID will begin a phased opening.