SOUTHEASTERN N.C. (WECT) – Three southeastern North Carolina communities will receive a combined $758,914 in state grants to expand public access to coastal waters.
The awards to Surf City, Calabash and Topsail Beach are part of more than $1.8 million in Public Beach and Coastal Waterfront Access Grants announced Friday by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality at an event in Surf City.
Surf City will receive $208,914 for its Goldsboro Avenue Public Waterfront Project along the Deep Creek shoreline. Plans include an elevated boardwalk, a kayak and paddleboard launch, permeable parking, lighting and shoreline stabilization.
The town plans to contribute about $200,000 toward the project and hopes to finish it before summer.
Mayor Teresa Batts said she expects the park to draw visitors throughout the year.
“We see so many day trippers that come here during the summertime and even in the off season,” Batts said. “They’re just looking for a place to get out and enjoy the beautiful weather and all that the environment and coastal waters have to offer.”
The town bought the property in 2008 with plans to build a town hall, Batts said. After Hurricane Florence destroyed the old town hall across the street, Surf City built a new one elsewhere and decided to keep the waterfront property for public use.
Calabash will receive $300,000 for engineering and construction of a boardwalk at the town’s new waterfront park.
Topsail Beach will receive $250,000 for parking, restrooms, accessible beach access and a sunset viewing deck at Topsail Nature Preserve. The project builds on the state’s recent acquisition and preservation of the property.
The awards come as the state’s Public Beach and Coastal Waterfront Access Program marks its 45th anniversary. DEQ Secretary Reid Wilson said the program has created more than 800 public access points across all 20 coastal counties.
“Increasing access for the public to a beach or a kayak launch just improves their quality of life,” Wilson said. “It gives them that connection to the outdoors. But it’s also good for tourism and local economies.”
The program partners with local governments, which must match a portion of the state funding. It receives annual funding from the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources’ Parks and Recreation Trust Fund.
Other recipients include Craven and Dare counties and the communities of Emerald Isle, Manteo, Newport and Winfall.
Newport will receive $170,000 to help purchase two parcels on the Newport River for the town’s first public waterfront access site.
“The Newport River is very inaccessible. It’s mostly bordered by private property,” said Gregory Hartman, the town’s planning and inspections director. “So when the property became for sale, the town jumped at the opportunity.”
Hartman said the town hopes to gather residents’ input on the design within the next year. Early ideas include walking trails, an accessible kayak launch and picnic areas.
The awards come as the state’s Public Beach and Coastal Waterfront Access Program marks its 45th anniversary. DEQ Secretary Reid Wilson said the program has created more than 800 public access points across all 20 coastal counties.
“Increasing access for the public to a beach or a kayak launch just improves their quality of life,” Wilson said. “It gives them that connection to the outdoors. But it’s also good for tourism and local economies.”
The program partners with local governments, which must match a portion of the state funding. It receives annual funding from the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources’ Parks and Recreation Trust Fund.
Other recipients listed in the state announcement include Craven and Dare counties and the communities of Emerald Isle, Manteo, Newport and Winfall. In Newport, a $170,000 grant will help purchase two parcels on the Newport River for the town’s first public waterfront access site.
“The Newport River is very inaccessible. It’s mostly bordered by private property,” said Gregory Hartman, the town’s planning and inspections director. “So when the property became for sale, the town jumped at the opportunity.”
Hartman said the town hopes to gather residents’ input on the design within the next year. Early ideas include walking trails, an accessible kayak launch and picnic areas.
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