Vonda Martin is the new grants and outreach manager for N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation.
Press Releases
Recreation Grants and Outreach
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.
Third and final phase of acquisitions completed for Bobs Creek State Natural Area in McDowell County
Land Protection and Acquisition
Final Acquisition for Bobs Creek State Natural Area complete; made possible by Foothills Conservancy.
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.
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, Engineering and Construction
Dismal Swamp State Park will be closed for major bridge repairs.
Falls Lake State Recreation Area, Operations
Crystal Lloyd joins David Mumford as superintendent at Falls Lake State Recreation Area.
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.
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.
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.