The Division awarded more than $3 million in grants for 13 projects for state trails.
Press Releases
Planning, Recreation Grants and Outreach, Trails Program
Kerr Lake State Recreation Area, Operations, Piedmont Region
Keith Nealson has been named a park superintendent at Kerr Lake State Recreation Area in Vance and Warren counties.
Office of the Director
Brian Strong, a 23-year veteran of the North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation, has been named director of the division by the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
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.
Lake Waccamaw State Park, Natural Resources
The NC Division of Parks and Recreation will now offer two boat cleaning stations at Lake Waccamaw State Park in Columbus County to hinder the spread of hydrilla and other highly invasive aquatic species.
Carolina Beach State Park, Carvers Creek State Park, Crowders Mountain State Park, Falls Lake State Recreation Area, Fort Fisher State Recreation Area, Hammocks Beach State Park, Hanging Rock State Park, Jordan Lake State Recreation Area, Mayo River State Park, Mount Jefferson State Natural Area, Mount Mitchell State Park, Recreation Grants and Outreach
The $13.7 million will fund capital improvements projects at 11 state parks.
Raleigh Office, Office of the Director
Patterson, the first African American director for the Division, will depart early next year.