Pender County Awarded $500,000 Grant to Expand Recreation and Access at Abbey Nature Preserve
Pender County has been awarded a $500,000 grant through the North Carolina Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) to support improvements at the Abbey Nature Preserve Trailhead.
The award was announced September 3 by Governor Josh Stein as part of more than $9.8 million in PARTF grants awarded to 25 local parks and recreation projects across North Carolina. The Parks and Recreation Authority approved the grant recipients at its August 28 meeting.
The $500,000 PARTF award is the maximum grant amount available for a single project and requires a dollar-for-dollar local match. With the required match, the Abbey Nature Preserve Trailhead project represents a significant investment in outdoor recreation in Pender County.
“This grant is a tremendous investment in Pender County and a significant win for the future of outdoor recreation in our community,” said Zach White, Pender County Parks and Recreation Director. “Abbey Nature Preserve is an incredible natural resource, and this funding will help us enhance access to the preserve while creating opportunities for residents and visitors to enjoy the outdoors through recreation, education and conservation. We are grateful to the North Carolina Parks and Recreation Authority, NC State Parks and NCSU Recreation Resource Services for recognizing the importance of this project and the lasting value it will bring to our community.”
The Abbey Nature Preserve Trailhead project will enhance public access to the preserve and create a welcoming gateway for residents and visitors to enjoy hiking, nature-based recreation and exploration. Planned improvements include a nature-themed playground, picnic shelter, restrooms, educational signage and native landscaping. The project will also provide a connector trail from the trailhead parking area to the preserve’s existing natural-surface trail network, creating a more seamless and accessible experience for visitors.
Pender County officials said the grant reflects the County’s continued commitment to preserving natural resources while expanding high-quality recreational opportunities for the community.
“Investments in parks and natural areas benefit our entire community,” said Colby W. Sawyer, Pender County Manager. “They provide places for people to connect with nature, promote healthy lifestyles and contribute to the quality of life that makes Pender County such a special place. Our dedicated Parks and Recreation professionals invest significant time and effort in our green and open spaces, and this award is a prime example of others investing in the county because we are investing in ourselves.”
The Parks and Recreation Trust Fund is administered by North Carolina State Parks, a division of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. PARTF provides funding to local governments for land acquisition, new recreation facilities and improvements to existing parks and recreational facilities.
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