The Town of Topsail Beach is one of 14 local governments statewide in line for highly competitive parks grants from the state.
The $439,910 announced for the Pender County town Wednesday morning would enable the development of a “town center park” on an acre at the corner of Davis Avenue and Anderson Boulevard, in its downtown district.
It’s close to the maximum dollar amount the N.C. Parks and Recreation Trust Fund avails to an individual project– but before anything, the town must accept it.
Town Manager Tim Holloman said Wednesday he had heard verbal confirmation on the grant but had not seen an official award letter. The town’s board of commissioners is likely wait until delivery before considering approval, he said.
Approval means putting up a full local match–another $439,910, from the town–creating an $879,820 supply for the project.
Holloman–who said the board may discuss the grant to some extent at tonight’s board of commissioners meeting, to start at 6–noted the town has already purchased the parkland, for $500,000. The grant money would cover that acquisition and half the cost of developments in store, to include a parking lot and bathrooms. A pair of picnic shelters, a volleyball court and a playground are also slated.
The acre could suit activities like the summer crafters’ market that started in town last year. “And of course we have our Christmas tree lighting there now. We’ve been having it on that lot even before the town owned it,” said Holloman. “So there are some events, and I’m sure once it’s developed there will be more.”
The maximum amount of money the state’s parks trust fund gives an individual project is $500,000; Topsail’s nearly $440,000 allotment is one of the highest individual awards this grant cycle, according to a list provided by the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources Wednesday morning.
It’s a highly competitive grant. The state chose only 14 local goverments, out of 73 that applied, for allocations. They totaled $4.4 million.
“The Parks and Recreation Trust Fund has reached into hundreds of local communities offering new opportunities for recreation and fitness,” Lewis Ledford, director of the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation, is quoted as saying in Wednesday’s release. “These opportunities for new parks, trails, greenways and recreation facilities go hand in hand with North Carolina’s commitment to conservation, sound environmental stewardship and economic opportunity.”
The fund’s board has awarded $173 million since the program’s 1995 launch.
