Jockey’s Ridge State Park will be under new leadership, North Carolina State Parks announced last week.

Steve Rogers, most recently the superintendent of Merchants Millpond State Park in Gates County, has been selected to serve as the superintendent for the Dare County destination featuring the tallest living sand dune system on the Atlantic Coast. He succeeds longtime Jockey’s Ridge superintendent, Joy Cook, who retired in January.

Rogers said he is committed to preserving natural resources, enhancing visitor experiences, and fostering community partnerships at the park, according to the release.

Rogers began his parks career with the Wake County Parks, Recreation and Open Space Division as a seasonal employee in 1998 and was hired full time in maintenance the following year. He acted as herd manager for the nonprofit organization Corolla Wild Horse Fund from 2006 to 2009 before becoming a ranger for Pettigrew State Park in Creswell. There he was promoted to superintendent in 2015. He has served as superintendent of Merchants Millpond State Park since 2017.

“Steve’s leadership, experience and commitment to park stewardship have made a lasting impact at every park he has served,” State Parks Director Brian Strong said. “We are confident he will continue that legacy at Jockey’s Ridge, ensuring this iconic landscape is protected and enjoyed for generations to come.”

Park superintendents manage operations and administration at a park and have wide-ranging responsibilities that include staffing, training, law enforcement, planning, resource management, interpretation and education, and visitor services.

The North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation, a part of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, features 35 state parks, 25 state natural areas, four state recreation areas, seven state lakes, four Natural and Scenic Rivers, and 15 state trails, spanning over 264,000 acres of iconic landscapes and welcoming 18 million visitors annually, state officials said.

The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission is seeking volunteers for its annual spring count of diamondback terrapins.

The 2026 Terrapin Tally occurs in areas of the state’s southern coast, where the small, aquatic turtles call marshes, estuaries and tidal creeks home.

Diamondback terrapins are listed as a species of special concern in North Carolina and federally as a species of greatest conservation need.

“Diamondback terrapins are a keystone species, critical to the health of the saltmarsh ecosystem,” Sarah Finn, a Wildlife Resources Commission biologist said in a release. “Studying their populations is difficult due to their habitat characteristics and North Carolina’s expansive estuarine systems. Understanding the population status and trends of terrapins in North Carolina is important to the long-term management of this species, and we can work toward this goal with the help of volunteer community scientists.”

Volunteers must supply their own kayaks, mobile phones and take part in a mandatory training session. There will be two training sessions, the first of which is scheduled for 10 a.m. – noon on April 11 at Carolina Beach State Park visitor center. Another training session has been set for 10 a.m. – noon on April 18 at Hammocks Beach State Park visitor center.

Registration is required.

“It’s a wonderful way to get out to explore and learn about our local waterways, while also contributing to a long-term citizen science project,” Amy Long, who will be volunteering in the tally for an 11th year, said in the release. “Really, who doesn’t want to spot adorable terrapins?!? It’s like an easter egg hunt, and when you have friends doing other days or trails, it’s fun to see who had better luck out on the water.”

The Terrapin tally is headed by the Wildlife Resources Commission and supported by partner organizations including the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Coastal Management, N.C. State Parks, Bald Head Island Conservancy, N.C. Audubon, N.C. Aquarium and National Park Service.

Data collected in the tallies has contributed to fisheries management to protect terrapins from drowning in blue-crab pots, according to the Wildlife Resources Commission.

Additional information is available at 2026 Terrapin Tally.

Friends of Hammocks Beach and Bear Island plan to honor Saturday the North Carolina Teacher’s Association, the only organization for African American educators in the state, and a fundamental part of Hammocks Beach State Park history.

Set for 3 p.m. in the teacher’s building at 1572 Hammock Beach Road, Swansboro, the nonprofit friends group is recognizing “those who paved the way to help shape our coastline through the preservation of Bear Island and shaped the minds of many, through education,” organizers said.

The $40 donation covers entry to the event and a meal. Register online.

The land that is now Hammocks Beach State Park was purchased by Dr. William Sharpe, a white neurosurgeon, in the 1940s for hunting and fishing. Sharpe hired John Hurst, a Black country club guide, to manage the site.

Sharpe intended to leave the land to the Hurst family, but Mrs. Gertrude Hurst, who was a school teacher, suggested the property be donated to theNorth Carolina Teachers Association, to provide recreational opportunities for Black residents in a segregated state, according to the state park.

In the early 1950s, the park became a gathering space for Black residents. In 1961, the state park was created, becoming the first coastal park in North Carolina specifically for Black visitors. After the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the park was integrated.

“FHBI proudly honors the North Carolina Teacher’s Association and hopes that you will join us as we share a meal and celebrate the memories that helped to create a space unlike any other,” the group said.

The Coastal Resources Commission approved last week revised text that is meant to satisfy the latest objection from the Rules Review Commission regarding Jockey’s Ridge’s designation as an area of environmental concern.

The Coastal Resources Commission, or CRC, has been trying to get this text sorted since October 2023, when the Rules Review Commission objected to and removed 30 rules, including those for Jockey’s Ridge protections, as part of the 10-year periodic rules review process.

According to the the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Coastal Management, which carries out the rules and regulations set by the CRC, the text that had been up for review a few years ago was almost identical to what had been approved in 1984 for the centerpiece of Jockey’s Ridge State Park in Dare County.

Part of the text the Rules Review Commission most recently objected to reads: “(a) Description. Jockey’s Ridge is the tallest active sand dune (medano) along the Atlantic Coast of the United States. Located within the Town of Nags Head in Dare County, between US 158 and Roanoke Sound, Jockey’s Ridge represents the southern extremity of a back barrier dune system which extends north along Currituck Spit into Virginia.”

The CRC at its regular business meeting in Beaufort Hotel was briefed about the rules commission’s latest objection Wednesday during the annual rules review update, and again Thursday before voting unanimously to submit the amended text to the rules panel.

Daniel Govoni, policy analyst with the Division of Coastal Management, said Wednesday that a general statute directs staff to review and identify any rules that are unnecessary, burdensome or inconsistent. Rules that are considered necessary, go through the rules review process, and that includes being run through the Rules Review Commission.

Govoni said that just recently, the Jockey’s Ridge area of environmental concern permanent rules the Coastal Resources Commission approved Aug. 27 was sent to the Rules Review Commission and “they again have objected.”

The reason this time, he continued, “is because the rule was split up into three categories: (a) being description, (b) being boundaries and (c) the use standards. They basically said that the description was unnecessary.”

When Coastal Resources picked up the discussion Thursday, Govoni reiterated that the rule was drafted into three parts, with a description explaining Jockey’s Ridge and its importance, and a boundary describing the area of environmental concern boundary and an accompanying map.

Govoni stated that the Rules Review specifically objecting to “the paragraph (a) description,” and that it “was not the same as the designation as under general statute.”

Coastal Resources was left with two options with a deadline of Dec. 1: either amend the rule to address the Rules Review objection, or submit a written response explaining why the rule won’t be changed.

Govoni said staff came up with the following proposed language as a way to meet the requirement: “Designation. Given the status of Jockey’s Ridge as a State Park, State Nature Preserve, complex natural area, and an area containing a unique geological formation as identified by the State Geologist, the Coastal Resources Commission hereby designates Jockey’s Ridge as an Area of Environmental Concern pursuant, as required under general statute.”

The amendment also included adding that “The AEC is located within the Town of Nags Head in Dare County, between US 158 and Roanoke Sound” to the boundaries explanation.

The Coastal Resources Commission’s legal counsel, Sarah Zambon, explained that the legal counsel for the Rules Review Commission was consulted on the proposed permanent language but, “just like I don’t speak for all of you, RC Council doesn’t speak for the RRC, but they have reviewed this language.”

Zambon continued that “the main issue was with the description of it being the tallest sand dune along the Atlantic Coast.”

Coastal Resources Chair Renee Cahoon pointed out that “this description just became a problem in August. Amazing. Amazing. After 40 years.”

About Jockey’s Ridge rules

The more than two-year back-and-forth between the two commissions began in early October 2023 over 30 rules undergoing the 10-year periodic review process.

“Development activities in and around the state park boundaries have been regulated by the administrative rules of the Coastal Resources Commission since the designation of Jockey’s Ridge as a Unique Geologic Feature Area of Environmental Concern in 1984,” division documents explain.

When the rules commission reviewed the 30 rules the division submitted, including Jockey’s Ridge as an Area of Environmental Concern and use standards, the rules panel removed the rules from the North Carolina Administrative Code and returned them to the Division of Coastal Management.

Coastal Resources filed a lawsuit shortly after contesting the Rules Review’s decision to remove the 30 rules, which is still in litigation.

The CRC then adopted emergency and temporary rules reestablishing the area of environmental concern and use standards that went into effect Jan. 3, 2024, and expired May 13, 2024, which the Rules Review Commission also objected.

Coastal Resources decided to move forward with permanent rulemaking on April 25, 2024, and adopted the permanent rule Nov. 14, 2024. The rules commission objected to the proposed permanent rule on Dec. 19, 2024, for failing to comply with public notice requirements. Staff said in documents that the terms of this objection had been satisfied.

A Wake County Superior Court judge in February of this year ruled in favor of Coastal Resources in the lawsuit that directs the codifier to “immediately return” the rules to the administrative code. Rules Review has since filed an appeal challenging the ruling and the Coastal Resources is due to submit a brief in response by Dec. 12.

The Coastal Resources Commission took up the subject again Aug. 27 and adopted permanent rules designating Jockey’s Ridge as an area of environmental concern and use standards. The Rules Review Commission objected on Oct. 30 to the recently submitted text for using the word “Description” because it is “not the same as a ‘designation’ as required under state law.”

The Coastal Resources Commission was given Dec. 1 as a deadline on the new proposed designation, which is an attempt to clarify the language going forward, Govoni said Thursday. In the time since the judge ruled that the Jockey’s Ridge rules would be returned to the administrative code, the division decided to amend and clarify the language.

If the suggested language meets final approval, the existing rule would be repealed and replaced with this new version.

Coastal Review will not publish Thursday and Friday in observation of the Thanksgiving holiday.

Celebrate National Trails Day Saturday by taking a hike in one of the many publicly accessible lands in North Carolina.

Related: Jockey’s Ridge State Park celebrates 50 years

“Aptly named the ‘Great Trails State,'” the national event observed the first Saturday in June “highlights the tremendous benefits that our state, federal and local trails provide, from recreational opportunities to fostering a deeper connection with nature,” according to the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

Officials are encouraging the public to mark the day by attending a trail event, going on a hike at one of the many parks and wildlife refuges in the state, or volunteering to help with upkeep.

To find a hiking trail or outdoor activity near you, visit websites for The Great Trails State, the North Carolina State Parks, the National Park Service, the Mountains-to-Sea Trail and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Federal funds are available for federal, state and local government agencies, as well as qualified nonprofit organizations with a trail project in mind.

Applications are being accepted for grants ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 through the North Carolina Trails Program, and for up to $5,000 for funds through the trail program’s safety and education grant, the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation officials announced Thursday.

The Recreational Trails Program applications are due by 5 p.m. Sept. 5 through the WebGrants application. The spring safety and education grant applications are due by 5 p.m. April 11 through WebGrants as well.

“Recreational Trails Program Grants support all types of greenways and trails for hikers, bikers, paddlers, equestrians and off-road vehicle users,” according to the website.

The grants provides funding for construction of new trails, the maintenance and repair of existing trails, land acquisition, tool purchases, and planning, legal, environmental, and permitting costs. There is a 25% match requirement.

The safety and education grants are a subset of the program and are awarded for safety and education instructor fees, speaker fees, displays, signage, and other trail uses.

The division’s trails program manages the federal funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration.

The program’s regional trails specialists are available to assist prospective applicants with questions about the grant application process and requirements, and provide a technical review of applications for those submitted by Aug. 1.

Of the $7.6 million awarded last month to state-managed lands, $600,000 goes to Dismal Swamp State Park in Camden County to construct an equipment storage building.

The funding from the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund for fiscal year 2024-25 was allocated by the nine-member Parks and Recreation Authority at their November meeting. North Carolina State Parks and Recreation announced the awards Thursday.

Barnes Sutton, representing Brunswick County, was reappointed to a three-year term and was sworn in during the meeting. Sutton is director of economic and community development director for Leland.

“Funding from the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund to expand and enhance state parks plays a vital role in preserving North Carolina’s remarkable natural areas, while also offering outdoor recreation and educational experiences throughout the state,” said D. Reid Wilson, secretary of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. “We are grateful for the continued financial support from the General Assembly and Governor Roy Cooper.”

Located at the northeast border of North Carolina and Virginia, the Dismal Swamp State Park offers hiking, biking, paddling, fishing and birdwatching opportunities, access to the Great Dismal Swamp, “the largest remaining swamp in the eastern United States,” and the 22-mile Dismal Swamp Canal, according to the state parks system.

Including the building to house trail maintenance and canal system equipment at Dismal Swamp State Park, $6.4 million of the $7.6 million in funds will go to renovations and other projects at Carvers Creek State Park in Cumberland County, Stone Mountain State Park in Wilkes County, Elk Knob State Park in Ashe County, and Bob’s Creek State Natural Area in McDowell County.

The two land acquisition projects totaling $1.23 million will add 2,410 acres to the Wilderness Gateway State Trail in McDowell County and 1.7 acres to the William B. Umstead State Park in Wake County.

In addition, $2.2 million will go to repairs and preventative maintenance at parks throughout the system.

The state receives 65% of the fund’s annual appropriation and revenue for state parks projects and projects at the DuPont Recreational State Forest. North Carolina State Parks is under the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, which manages more than 100 locations across the state.

North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation officials have closed all state parks west of the interstate that connects Mount Airy to Charlotte, and canceled all programs through the end of the month, aside from a few on the coast.

Dismal Day is still scheduled to take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12, at Dismal Swamp State Park, as well as Fear at the Fort the last two weekends of this month at Fort Macon State Park, and a Schools in Parks training Oct. 26 at Carolina Beach State Park.

The division said it is scaling back operations across the state that will allow staff to continue assisting with the statewide emergency and rescue efforts in Western North Carolina, in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. About 30 staff have been deployed on law enforcement assignments requested through the North Carolina Emergency Operations Center.

The state parks west of Interstate 77 closed through at least Oct. 31 are Chimney Rock, Crowders Mountain, Elk Knob, Gorges, Grandfather Mountain, Lake James, Lake Norman, Mount Mitchell, New River, South Mountains, and Stone Mountains state parks, as well as Mount Jefferson State Natural Area and Rendezvous Mountain.

All reservations for campsites and other facilities such as picnic shelters at western state parks through Oct. 31 have been canceled and refunded in full.

“The devastation brought by Helene in many communities across western North Carolina has been profound,” State Parks Director Brian Strong said. “The entire division wants to provide whatever assistance we can to our neighbors and to these areas that were hit hardest. We want to prioritize our resources, both staff and equipment, towards immediate and lifesaving needs.”

Additionally, closing these parks can help limit travel in the area while roads and other infrastructure are repaired and replaced.

State park rangers are sworn law enforcement officers, and many park field staff such as rangers and maintenance technicians are certified as emergency medical responders, trained to operate chainsaws and large equipment, and possess a commercial driver’s license.

“In the last few days alone, we have seen the entire state come together to support each other during this difficult time,” Strong said. “We know our parks are beloved by North Carolinians, but we also know our visitors are eager to help those who are grieving and those who have lost so much because of this storm.”

Once the vital needs of post-storm recovery efforts have been met, staff will focus on recreational facilities at parks, including trails, visitor centers, and campsites. Staff will assess conditions, clear downed trees, and address any remaining safety hazards before reopening to the public.

Of the nearly $18 million in grants being awarded through the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund, about $1.5 million will go to projects in Chowan, Hyde and Brunswick counties.

The Parks and Recreation Authority, during its meeting Aug. 23, approved the $17.9 million in grants from two different funding sources for 46 parks and recreation projects across the state, the governor’s office announced Thursday.

The selections were made from 40 applications from local governments requesting more than $15.1 million from the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund. Of those, 23 were chosen to receive a total of more than $9.5 million.

A separate source of funding administered through the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund called the Accessible Parks Grant program was appropriated $12.5 million in the 2023 budget to provide matching grants for projects to benefit people living with disabilities. All 23 applicants were selected for the first round of funding, which totals more than $8.3 million.

Two projects on the coast were selected to receive from Parks and Recreation Trust Fund $500,000 each, the maximum that can be awarded for a single project. Awardees must match funds at least dollar-for-dollar for the grant amount.

In Sunset Beach, the funds will go to develop a new public open space, the Majestic Oaks Park, and in Hyde County, the grant is to go to build a sports field, the Brandon Marshall Ball Field Complex.

Two projects in Chowan County were chosen for the Accessible Parks grants. Bennett’s Mill Pond Park phase 1 was selected to receive $134,619, and Edenton was awarded $391,437 for accessibility updates to the town’s Morgan Park.

“These awards through the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund and the Accessible Parks Grant will bring tremendous impact to communities across North Carolina by providing more parks, more trails and more accessible recreation,” Gov. Roy Cooper said in the announcement.

A second round of funding with more than $4 million available through the Accessible Parks Grant will open in September.

State recreation officials are asking residents for input on the 2025-30 Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan.

The plan, “Shaping Outdoor Recreation from Mountains to Sea,” must be updated every five years for the state to be eligible for money from the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund.

The online public opinion survey is open through Sept. 30.

There is a separate survey for county, municipality, state, and federal recreation providers. Contact grants@ncparks.gov for that link.

The North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources and the Division of Parks and Recreation manage the state’s allocation from the Land and Water Conservation Fund. In 2020, the federal Great American Outdoors Act permanently made offshore oil and natural gas royalties a dedicated source for the fund.

Nags Head Woods Preserve and Jockey’s Ridge State Park are among the six North Carolina sites celebrating 50 years of National Natural Landmarks designation.

Both on the Outer Banks, the two sites were designated on May 30, 1974, as were Mount Jefferson State Natural Area, Piedmont Beech Natural Area within Umstead State Park, and Mount Mitchell, Stone Mountain and Pilot Mountain state parks.

Established in 1962, “the National Natural Landmarks Program recognizes and encourages the conservation of sites that contain outstanding biological and geological resources,” according to the National Park Service, which administers the program.

The U.S. Department of the Interior designated the sites for “their condition, illustrative character, rarity, diversity, and value to science and education,” the park service website states. The first site designations were in 1964 and today there are 604 sites total in the United States.

N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Secretary D. Reid Wilson and Division of Parks and Recreation Director Brian Strong visited Mount Mitchell State Park last week to commemorate the milestone.

“Our State Park system started at Mount Mitchell, the highest mountain in the eastern United States,” Wilson said in a statement. “The National Natural Landmarks program is critical to the preservation and recognition of these incredibly important places. We’re thrilled to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the designation of these natural wonders and reiterate North Carolina’s commitment to preserve and protect our environment.”

Secretary Wilson is a member of the National Park System Advisory Board.

“We are grateful for the foresight of the National Park Service and the NC Division of Parks and Recreation who ensured the perpetual protection of these amazing places,” Director Strong said.

Two beachfront state parks had more than a million visitors each in 2023, contributing to the total 20.1 million who visited the 42 sites in the North Carolina State Parks system last year.

Fort Fisher State Recreational Area in New Hanover County was the second most visited park in the state with 1.37 million visitors, behind Jordan Lake State Recreation Area in Chatham County, which had 2.5 million visitors.

The statewide park system had an overall increase of 4% in visitation since 2022, with the nine sites on the coast bringing in a quarter of those visitors, around 4.9 million, officials recently announced.

Fort Macon State Park in Carteret County brought in 1.05 million visitors last year. Other coastal sites that saw growth are Carolina Beach, Dismal Swamp, Hammocks Beach, Merchants Millpond and Pettigrew state parks while numbers for Goose Creek and Jockey’s Ridge state parks show a decline in visitors.

Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Secretary Reid Wilson said in a statement that the growth in park visitation “puts an exclamation point on an incredibly successful Year of the Trail in North Carolina.”

The Great Trails State Coalition celebrated the Year of the Trail in 2023 as a way to promote supporting and investing in North Carolina trails.

“We were excited to welcome more visitors to enjoy our naturally wonderful state parks, especially as several of our parks have recently added new campgrounds and visitor centers and as we celebrated the Year of the Trail,” State Parks Director Brian Strong said in a statement.

Fort Fisher sees growth

Fort Fisher State Recreation Area, located 18 miles south of Wilmington, has a beach access and allows beach driving.

“It’s nice to see that people are really enjoying Fort Fisher State Recreational Area, so much so that it was the second busiest state park,” Superintendent Jeff Owen told Coastal Review, referring to the 1.38 million visitors to the New Hanover County attraction in 2023. The site had 1.11 million visitors in 2022.

“All areas of our park saw more people, particularly the four-wheel-drive beach and the pedestrian beach,” Owen said. “It has created a strain on our small staff, we only have four rangers, and has been a challenge on our natural resources. The biggest one being nesting sea turtles as their season coincides with our busiest visitation of the year.”

Rangers ask that visitors, whom Owen said “did a really good job last year,” continue to be vigilant when driving on the beach and look for signs of sea turtle nests that are always marked with signs and reflective tape. 

“Lastly, but most importantly, please check local weather forecasts before entering the water to swim,” Owen said, adding to ask a staff member what the conditions of the water are when you arrive before swimming or use the pedestrian beach monitored by lifeguards 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.

Fort Macon numbers steady as park turns 100

Fort Macon State Park in Atlantic Beach is built around a restored pre-Civil War fort and offers beach accesses and a bathhouse.

Superintendent Randy Newman told Coastal Review that, “Overall, we’ve had great numbers.” The Bogue Banks state park averages a million visitors annually and 2023 with its 1.06 million was no different. The park saw 1.02 million visitors in 2022.

“This summer we had great weather and no storms, which always helps with visitation,” Newman said, explaining that much of Fort Macon’s numbers depend on the weather.

Upcoming events at the park include the Mosquito Endurance Run, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. March 23. The 12-hour race is to raise money to help the park preserve a North Atlantic right whale calf for educational purposes. It will also go to the upkeep of park trails and park enhancements. Register for the race via the Friends of Fort Macon website.

Newman said that the Bonehenge Whale Center in Beaufort is going to articulate the skeleton of the calf found dead in January 2023 near Morehead City so it can be displayed in the park’s visitor center, if feasible. Bonehenge focuses on research and education for whales, dolphins and porpoises found in North Carolina.

Because there’s so few of this endangered species, Newman said they’re hoping to use the skeleton as an education tool.

Looking ahead, the site will soon celebrate a century as a state park.

Fort Macon “will be 100 years old June 4 as a state park,” Newman said, and officials have planned several celebrations.

Starting June 1, there will be a Military Through the Ages event, when the grounds will be filled with reenactors from different periods.

This is the first event of its kind for the park and “Hopefully that’s going to be a success so we can build on in the future,” Newman said.

Newman added that a military band has been invited to perform June 4, and there will be an artillery barrage with cannon June 8.  Fort Macon will host a car show June 9 with 100 classic cars representing the 100 years. The regularly scheduled ranger-led programs will take place as well

Also in the works is a Halloween “haunted fort” event to take place the last two weekends of October, hosted by the nonprofit Friends group. Organizations and businesses can make a donation to decorate a casemate for the fundraising event that will support fort preservation.

Newman said last year was the first and this year will be even better.

Two exceptions

State Parks Public Information Officer Kris Anne Bonifacio told Coastal Review that all coastal parks saw small increases in visitation, except Goose Creek and Jockey’s Ridge state parks.

Bonifacio said Goose Creek dropped from 146,155 visitors in 2022 to 125,933 last year. She’s still looking into why that happened.

Rangers at Jockey’s Ridge, which had 982,328 visitors in 2022 but only saw 745,022 in 2023, according to the official count, mentioned that they were having issues with the vehicle counters.

Bonifacio said staff at the Outer Banks site estimate that their actual visitation was equitable or even greater than 2022 numbers, based on what they saw daily throughout the year.

“Visitation data for all of our state parks are estimates, since we have no way of counting every single person who visits each park,” Bonifacio explained.

North Carolina State University is working on a visitation study to review the formula used for vehicle counters. “That study will look at a few different sources of data to get a better idea of trends over the last few years. For our purposes, we are primarily focused on the trends, and we look at visitation numbers holistically and with other things such as reservations, annual pass sales, and events and programming,” she said.

Revenues

The nine coastal parks saw growth in reservations revenue from $690,529 in 2022 to $730,909 in 2023.

Bonifacio reiterated that the state parks system is “designed for the enjoyment of all and revenue generation is not a priority, it does reflect the overall trends” of more visitors coming to state parks.

“Even at our parks that may have gone down in visitation, like Goose Creek State Park, show an increase in overnight reservations, which makes sense given the improvements we have made in their camping facilities over the last few years,” Bonifacio added. “We hope to see the same at Hammocks Beach’s new RV campground for this year and the coming years.”

Hammocks Beach State Park in the Swansboro area is in the process of adding a recreational vehicle, trailer and tent campground as well as backpacking sites on the mainland.

“We anticipate we will open the campground in the summer,” Bonifacio said. The campground will include 12 full hookups sites, four camper cabins, similar to what is at Carolina Beach and Goose Creek state parks, seven drive-up tent sites, and will be three hike-in primitive sites. There will also be a centrally located bathhouse with hot showers.

“We are very excited to offer additional camping facilities at Hammocks Beach State Park, especially ones that are easier to access than the primitive campsites at Bear Island,” Hammocks Beach Superintendent Sarah Kendrick said. “We know our backpack-by-ferry and paddle-in campers have enjoyed the coastal overnight experience for many years, and we look forward to providing that opportunity to those who camp by RV, trailer, or car as well.”

Bonifacio said the former Teachers Building, which has been under restoration since early 2023, that African American educators used as a meeting place in the mid-20^th century, is to open this summer as well, “So we are very excited to have that reopen, and we hope our visitors will enjoy those new facilities.”

Growing park system

Also in 2023, the state parks system acquired more than 2,890 acres in the Piedmont and mountains. The system ended the year with 262,074 total acres.

“It was a productive year for the division by all accounts — land protection, planning, natural resource management, operations, safety, and interpretation and education,” stated Strong, the state parks director. “We look forward to the year ahead as we continue our stewardship of these beloved places in North Carolina.”

Bonifacio explained that the system did not have any land acquisitions in 2023 at any of the parks on the coast.

“Due to a multitude of factors, most of our land acquisitions are in the Piedmont and the mountains,” she said. “Land protection plans for many of our coastal parks have limited acreage, and some state recreation areas and state natural areas are at the max planned acres.”

There are some exceptions, notably Merchants Millpond and Pettigrew, which have thousands of acres in future needs as identified in their land protection plans. “We closed last month on three land parcels at Merchants Millpond actually,” she said.

Nature enthusiasts can start the new year off on the right foot at one of the dozens of ranger-led hikes taking place at North Carolina’s state parks.

“After a few years of smaller First Day Hikes programming, we are excited to offer a wide variety of guided hikes and events at most of our state parks for 2024,” State Parks Director Brian Strong said in a release. “We hope our visitors take the opportunity, as we wrap up the holiday season, to bring family and friends and begin a new year of outdoor adventures together.”

North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation officials said there are more than 50 staff-led First Day Hikes scheduled for Monday, Jan. 1, ranging in length and difficulty. Hikers are encouraged to share photos and videos on social media using the hashtags #ncstateparks and #FirstDayHikes.

Public Information Officer Kris Anne Bonifacio highlighted the state’s coastal parks, which she said have planned a variety of First Day Hike options, most of which are relatively flat and easy.

“Visitors can enjoy the unique environments of the tall sand dunes at Jockey’s Ridge or the barrier Bear Island at Hammocks Beach. They can explore the salt marsh at Fort Macon or experience the various ecosystems at Carolina Beach on a hike along Sugarloaf Trail,” Bonifacio said. “They can learn about flora and fauna of Dismal Swamp or Merchants Millpond or help clean up the beach at Fort Fisher. They can spend the whole day at Goose Creek’s 50th anniversary celebration.”

She added that there’s also the option for hikers to choose their own adventure and take a self-guided scavenger hunt at Pettigrew State Park in Washington and Tyrrell counties.

“They are also welcome to visit any of our parks and hike on their own during regular park hours if they would prefer to avoid big crowds. Just bring plenty of water, wear proper hiking shoes and if bringing a pet, make sure they are leashed,” she said.

‘Cherished tradition’

Organized by the National Association of State Park Directors, the annual First Day Hikes program launched in 1992 in Massachusetts, and as of 2012, all 50 states have participated.

“I am thrilled to see the continued growth and success of the First Day Hikes program,” Lewis Ledford, executive director of the association, said in a statement. “This initiative has become a cherished tradition, providing individuals and families with the opportunity to embrace the outdoors, and kick off the year with a commitment to health and well-being.”

Not only is Goose Creek State Park in Beaufort County celebrating the new year, 2024 marks 50 years since the park was first established.

Goose Creek State Park Superintendent Matt Windsor said that they planned the park’s 50^th anniversary event to coincide with First Day Hikes as a way to celebrate the unique park, “where you have to get off the beaten path to enjoy some of the most accessible wetlands in eastern NC in the best hiking weather of the year.”

Scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, the celebration will begin with an opening ceremony and black powder musket demonstration at Flicker Field, where the Historic Bath State Historic Site and Beaufort County Traditional Music Association also will be set up. Throughout the day, there will be tar kiln demonstrations, cooking demonstrations, musket demonstrations, and live music and food.

The North Carolina Estuarium, an environmental center based in Washington, will lead a hike on the Palmetto Boardwalk Trail at 10:30 a.m. and at 1 p.m. that day, Sound Rivers will lead a hike on the Live Oak Trail. Sound Rivers is a nonprofit that works to protect the Neuse and Tar-Pamlico River watersheds.

Windsor said that in October 1974, the state made the first purchase from wood product manufacturer Weyerhauser of what would eventually become the 1,700-acre Goose Creek State Park. Goose Creek, which hosted 146,000 visitors last year, “is a jewel of Beaufort County” and was designated as a National Natural Landmark by the National Park Service. 

In addition to containing the longest segment of publicly owned, undeveloped, low-salinity estuarine shoreline in the state in the national natural landmark area, the park also offers tent, trailer and cabin camping, around 10 miles of trails, paddle and power boat access, a swim beach along the Pamlico River, and an environmental education center, he said.

As Bonifacio mentioned, Pettigrew State Park in Creswell is having an activity participants can complete at their leisure. 

Superintendent Jim Trostle said the First Day Hike is a self-guided scavenger hunt along Bee Tree Trail. Around 2.5 miles round trip, this is a flat, easy walk that encompasses Somerset Place, a state historic site, and some of the oldest trees still standing in the park.

Hikers can pick up the scavenger hunt list at the park office after 10 a.m. Visitors can bring back the completed list and pick a prize from our prize box, Trostle said.

The First Day Hike at Dismal Swamp State Park in Camden County with Ranger Alan Brown is set for 10 a.m. next to the Dismal Swamp State Park bridge. He will lead hikers on a 2-mile loop to look for various wildlife.

Merchants Millpond State Park in Gates County will begin its First Day Hike at 11 a.m., leaving from the boat ramp parking area.

Park Ranger David Schafer said the hike is an easy 2-mile stroll on the Coleman Trail.

“We will learn about the history of the park and some of the flora and fauna that live within it,” he said, adding hikers should bring water, wear sturdy shoes and dress for the weather.

“Coleman Trail itself traverses through multiple ecological communities including pine, hardwood forest, and swamps. Visitors to the park in the winter can enjoy open vistas of the Millpond free of vegetation and the tree canopy,” he said. “Canoers that come during warmer, sunny days also have the chance to spot one of our resident alligators sunning on logs throughout the waters of the swamp. Come enjoy the solitude and tranquility that so many visitors have come to love about Merchants Millpond State Park.”

On the Outer Banks, explore the largest sand dune on the East Coast at Jockey’s Ridge State Park in Nags Head. Meet at the visitor center back deck at 9 a.m. for the 1.5-mile hike that will include parts of the of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail and finish at the top of the main dune. Because it can be extra windy and cold this time of the year, organizers recommend hikers wear appropriate shoes and clothing for the terrain and weather conditions.

Park Ranger Austin Paul said that there are 220,000 acres managed by the state parks system from the coast to the mountains, so there should be thousands of individuals, potentially, that will be hiking together on the first day of the year.

“Of course, this is a great start to the first of the year,” he continued, adding the First Day Hikes allow the state parks the opportunity to provide recreational and educational experiences for visitors. “We want to be able to provide a safe and healthy environment for our visitors to come and enjoy and celebrate the New Year by getting out and exploring.”

He said the hike at Jockey’s Ridge should be easy to lightly strenuous from the visitor center out to the big ridge “and along the way, we’ll cover everything from park ecology to dune formation.”

Fort Macon State Park rangers have planned four hikes to bring in 2024. The first two are from 9-10:30 a.m. and the second two begin at 3 p.m.

The shorter hikes at 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. will offer a nature and bird hike on the Yarrow’s Loop Trail and the inlet beach, covering less than a mile. The longer hikes at 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. will be a nature and bird hike, as well, but on the 3.2-mile Elliot Coues Trail. Wear sturdy shoes and bring a water bottle and bug spray.

Fort Macon State Park Superintendent Randy Newman told Coastal Review that the First Day Hikes often get visitors who are thinking about walking or hiking for the new year out of the house and on the trail.  

“The reason the staff at Fort Macon State Park built the trails was to get visitors out into the park so they could experience the diversity of nature that the park has to offer. It is also important for children to get them on the trails for their physical and mental health,” he added.

Also on Jan. 1, Fort Macon will have small arms demonstrations at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.

Hammocks Beach State Park rangers are offering two First Day Hikes. The first is set for 10 a.m. to noon and the second 1-3 p.m. Join Park Ranger Renee Evans on a ferry ride to Bear Island and hear about some of the habitats and wildlife that can be found there. Visitors will have a chance to explore the beach. Space is limited, so registration is required for either hike. Call 910-326-4881 to sign up.

Evans reminded those interested in attending that the ferry rides are free but require a registration. “It’s a very popular program we put on at the park in January. We get a lot of requests for it. You should see the standby list.”

With each group, she said she plans to talk the flora and fauna that can be found on Bear Island as well as any history associated with the island while walking along the path toward the beach.  After the talk, participants will have a chance to walk and explore the beach on their own before heading back to the Visitor Center.

Evans said that every year the First Day Hikes either take place at Bear Island or the hiking trails adjacent to the Visitor Center on the mainland in Swansboro.

“It’s all dependent on operational conditions at the park. We haven’t been able to lead one of the Bear Island trips since January 2018. We’re very excited,” she said.

At Carolina Beach State Park, the 2-mile walk to Sugarloaf Dune is scheduled for 10 a.m. to noon. Meet at the Sugarloaf Trailhead near the marina, and bring water and hiking shoes.

“We will discuss some history of the park and our plants and animals that make us unique,” Park Superintendent Crystal Lloyd said, adding this is her first program since joining Carolina Beach, “I’m really excited to see what the turnout will be like.”

The First Day “Trash and Treasure” Beach Walk at Fort Fisher State Recreation Area is scheduled for 8:30 a.m.  Meet by the lifeguard stand at the end of the boardwalk for the mile-long hike to see what was left on the beach the night before. Park staff recommend bringing water, a container for any beach finds and a small trash bag for the cleanup. Pets are welcome but must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet at all times.

“Participants will learn about the common shells found on the beach and some quick tips to spot sharks teeth, while also helping to clean up our beautiful park by picking up trash,” Ranger Emily Abernethy said. The walk is a mile, but participants are welcome to walk as far as they’d like.

She added that there will be couple of guide books available for use to help identify beach finds. 

“This will be a great way to start out the New Year by spending time on our beautiful beach while also doing some community service,” Abernethy said.

In addition to the First Day Hikes, most of North Carolina’s state parks have programming throughout the year. To check the schedule of events at a park near you, visit ncparks.gov.

Coastal Review will not publish Monday-Wednesday next week.

Carolina Beach State Park, located 12 miles south of Wilmington, is under new leadership.

Crystal Lloyd has been named the new park superintendent, North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation announced Monday.

Lloyd, previously superintendent at Falls Lake State Recreation Area in Durham and Wake counties, fills the role after longtime superintendent Chris Helms’ retirement in April.

A native of Creedmoor, Lloyd has a bachelor’s in parks, recreation and tourism management from North Carolina State University.

She joined the division working as a seasonal employee at Falls Lake State Recreation in high school, continuing to work for parks during the summer, including at William B. Umstead State Park. She became a ranger in 2012 at Cliffs of the Neuse State Park, then transferred to Falls Lake in 2015 before eventually being promoted to superintendent in 2021. She also co-hosted a podcast called “Ask a Ranger” that tackled the various aspects of the division’s mission as it relates to the work of field staff.

“Crystal has a unique perspective of division operations, moving her way up from seasonal positions to park ranger and to park superintendent,” said North Carolina State Parks Director Brian Strong. “We are excited to have Crystal at Carolina Beach State Park and the years of experience she brings as a superintendent will be invaluable as she stewards the unique natural and recreational resources of the park.”

The park superintendent leads the operations and administration at the park and has responsibilities that include staffing, training, law enforcement, planning, natural and cultural resource management, interpretation and education, and visitor services.

Carolina Beach State Park is home to the carnivorous Venus flytrap, and habitats like Sugarloaf Dune, a 50-foot dune that once served as a navigational marker for river pilots, and three limesink ponds that each feature a unique plant community. The park’s marina provides access to the Cape Fear River and the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway.

Current acting director of the North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation, Brian Strong has been named director by the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, department officials announced Monday.

Strong has been acting director since early 2023, taking on the role after the previous director, Dwayne Patterson, retired. Strong has been a member of the state parks staff since 2000, most recently as deputy director and chief of planning and natural resources.

“I’m incredibly excited to be named director and humbled by the opportunity to serve North Carolina residents and our visitors,” Strong said. “The division has provided me an incredible opportunity to fulfill my passion for providing amazing opportunities for outdoor recreation in the most treasured spaces in our state. I look forward to working with our talented and dedicated staff in this new role.”

North Carolina State Parks manages more than 258,000 acres of iconic landscape within North Carolina’s state parks, state recreation areas and state natural areas.

In his roles, Strong has managed the division’s State Trails Program and its major grants initiatives, including the state Parks and Recreation Trust Fund and the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund and Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership.

“Our state parks are an unparalleled resource that preserve North Carolina’s natural beauty for future generations while making our communities even better places to visit and call home,” Gov. Roy Cooper said in a statement. “Brian Strong is a proven leader who has shown his commitment to making North Carolina’s state parks even stronger and I’m confident he will serve our state well.”

Strong holds a master’s in natural resources policy from Duke University and a bachelor’s in biology and geography from Wittenberg University.

“We are pleased to name Brian Strong as director of North Carolina State Parks,” said Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Secretary Reid Wilson. “His experience and leadership will serve the division well, and his commitment to the division’s mission of conservation, recreation and education will benefit the people of our state and visitors.”

In addition to administering the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund, including its local grants program, as well as a state trails program, the division administers the North Carolina Natural and Scenic Rivers and other programs with a mission of conservation, recreation and education. The state parks system welcomes nearly 20 million visitors annually.

Certain state cultural sites and state-funded parks are now encouraged to go native when it comes to landscaping choices.

The North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources announced Wednesday a new policy directing and encouraging the use of native plants at departmental locations and at local government sites receiving grants from the North Carolina Parks and Recreation Trust Fund.

Related: New landscaping guide suggests ‘Plant This Instead!’

The policy, effective July 1, is to help the department meet its mission of protecting the state’s natural heritage, officials said in the announcement.

“Native plants are an important part of North Carolina’s natural and cultural heritage,” said Secretary D. Reid Wilson. “There are many environmental benefits to native plants, and they are much more likely to thrive in our weather and soils. We encourage others — homeowners, businesses, government agencies — to also plant beautiful native plant gardens.”

As the policy notes, native plants are adapted to the state’s environment and more likely to thrive, especially during drought. Unlike invasive plants that are nonnative species, they do not overwhelm natural ecosystems. They support pollinators essential to food production and ecosystem health and boost otherwise declining bird populations that depend on insects associated with native gardens. Native plants, especially grasses, are better able to store carbon, thereby reducing greenhouse gases.

The department said that landscaping for all its properties “shall only use seeds and plants that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has classified as native to the Southeastern United States. Additionally, landscaping for all projects funded by the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund shall only use these seeds and plants.”

Exceptions are made for plants used in crop cultivation, scientific research, botanical or historical gardens, turf grass, plantings for wildlife, or plantings for exhibits or for animal consumption at museums, zoos and aquariums.

The department, along with the Department of Administration, installed a new all-native-plant garden in front of the department headquarters on Jones Street in Raleigh.

The department manages more than 100 locations across the state, including 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, five science museums, four aquariums, 35 state parks, four recreation areas, dozens of state trails and natural areas, the North Carolina Zoo, the North Carolina Symphony, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, the American Indian Heritage Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of State Archaeology, the Highway Historical Markers program, the N.C. Land and Water Fund, and the Natural Heritage Program. For more information, visit www.ncdcr.gov.

The late Carolista Fletcher Baum will be recognized for her instrumental role in preserving Jockey’s Ridge with a North Carolina Historical Marker.

The marker is to be dedicated during a ceremony at 10 a.m. Friday, July 7, at 300 Carolista Drive, Nags Head.

On Aug. 15, 1973, Baum stood in the path of a bulldozer sent to remove sand from the sizeable dune system, convincing the bulldozer’s operator to leave. Baum co-founded the group, People to Preserve Jockey’s Ridge, rallying support through fundraising initiatives and petitions to draw attention.

In 1973, the Division of Parks and Recreation released a report advocating for the preservation of Jockey’s Ridge as a state park. A year later, the dune was designated National Natural Landmark. With the General Assembly’s allocation of funds in 1975, the dune’s preservation was secured, according to the state. Jockey’s Ridge State Park is home to the tallest living sand dune system on the Atlantic coast.

“While local organizations had previously discussed protecting the expansive dune from encroaching development, it was Baum’s unwavering determination that transformed the idea into reality,” officials said.

The dedication ceremony is expected to feature speakers including Ansley Wegner, head of the North Carolina Historical Research Office, and George Barnes, the first superintendent of Jockey’s Ridge State Park. Members of the Baum family are also expected to share stories about Baum.

Related: Officials, public celebrate new Jockey’s Ridge visitor center

A statewide effort to offer low-cost kayaking instruction will take place Saturday, May 20, at several North Carolina state parks, including a three on the coast.

The state park system, North Carolina chapter of the American Canoe Association, or ACA, and the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary are offering “Kayaking 101” as part of National Safe Boating Week, which begins the same day.

Classes offered by the ACA will cost $15 per person for the day, a discount of over $35. Register at https://tinyurl.com/Kayaking-101-NC. In-person spaces are limited to 15. A free online class is also available but in-person training with a certified instructor is strongly encouraged.

Division of Parks and Recreation Interim Director Brian Strong said they love providing opportunities to paddle for our residents and visitors to North Carolina.

“Paddling comes with some of the greatest responsibility for visitors,” he said. “Being educated and prepared improves safety not only for paddlers but also for emergency personnel.”

Participating state parks are the following:

• Jockey’s Ridge State Park
• Hammocks Beach State Park
• Carolina Beach State Park
• Morrow Mountain State Park
• Hanging Rock State Park
• Cliffs of the Neuse State Park
• Lake Norman State Park
• Falls Lake State Recreational Area
• Lake James State Park
• Jordan Lake State Recreational Area

All instructors are volunteers who are nationally certified to provide paddling and rescue training. Each park’s event will be limited to 15 participants. Participants can either bring their own kayak or indicate at registration that they would like to borrow a kayak, paddle and life jacket at no additional cost.

“The volunteer instructors are excited to help out again this year to bring new paddlers into our sport,” said ACA Southeastern Chair Andrea White. ”Just one day of training can make the difference between setting yourself up for a bad experience that ruins the sport for you versus setting yourself up for a whole lifetime of paddling fun, enjoying our amazing waterways.”

These classes are made available by certified instructor volunteers and safety boaters from multiple organizations and businesses. Equipment and financial support were donated by other sponsors. All partners and sponsors have helped to make this event possible with one goal in mind: to help educate paddlers statewide who enjoy North Carolina waterways and paddlesports.

The ACA is the national accrediting body for paddle sports education.

Contact William Holman with ACA North Carolina at 910-578-392 for more information.

A little more than $1.7 million will go to four coastal local governments for parks facilities for children and veterans living with disabilities.

Gov. Roy Cooper’s office announced Friday that the Parks and Recreation Authority granted $9.6 million for 21 total projects statewide during a March 3 meeting.

The 2021 state budget included $10 million for the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund to provide matching grants to local governments. Grants of $500,000 were awarded to 12 towns and counties, and grants ranging from $171,313 to $470,000 were awarded to 11 local government projects.

Bertie County was awarded $500,000 for an outdoor education and event space project, called a Tall Glass of Water, or TGOW, will offer open access to the water, hiking and camping. Accessible components include an ADA-accessible ramp, beach mats for improved navigation onto the beach and an accessible walkway from the parking area to the beach.

Also on the coast, Arapahoe was awarded $274,960 for Arapahoe Community Park, Jacksonville was awarded $500,000 for an inclusive and accessible baseball field at the Commons Recreation Complex called Inspiration Field, town documents state, and Wilmington was awarded $470, 044 for Maides Park inclusive playground, at 1101 Manly Ave.

“These projects touch communities from Watauga to Wake to Pamlico with lasting, accessible infrastructure for recreation that will bring improved health and quality of life for North Carolina families,” Cooper said in a statement. “The focus of accessibility reflects our need for — and commitment to — investing in projects that reflect the needs and abilities of all of our residents and visitors.”

Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Secretary D. Reid Wilson said because the governor and General Assembly included historic funding levels in the budget for the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund, “we are able to provide these grants to every corner of our state to improve accessibility in community recreation. These grants will produce significant progress toward providing recreation that meets each North Carolinian where they are.”

The Parks and Recreation Trust Fund is administered through the state Division of Parks and Recreation, which is part of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. Local governments, including some public authorities, were eligible to apply for the matching grants.