Last Updated on September 10, 2026 11:23 am
Two High Country towns are among the recipients in the latest round of state parks and recreation funding, after Gov. Josh Stein announced more than $9.8 million in grants for 25 local parks and recreation projects across North Carolina.
The Town of Jefferson in Ashe County was awarded $235,175 for improvements to Foster-Tyson Park and an upgraded trailhead for the Northern Peaks State Trail. The Town of Granite Falls in Caldwell County received $371,950 to expand Shuford Recreation.
The grants come through the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF), administered by North Carolina State Parks, a division of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. Including $4 million awarded earlier this year through the Helene Recovery Fund, PARTF has provided nearly $14 million in county and municipal grants this fiscal year. With required local matches, those grants will leverage $43.5 million for land acquisitions, new facilities and park improvements statewide.
“North Carolina's natural beauty and outdoor recreation help make our state such a great place to live, work, and visit,” Gov. Stein said. “These investments will support local economies, help bring more visitors to our state, and improve North Carolinians' health and quality of life.”
This year, PARTF considered 42 grant applications requesting more than $15.5 million total. Of those, 25 projects were funded at their full request and one received partial funding, with the Parks and Recreation Authority approving the awards at its Aug. 28 meeting. A maximum of $500,000 can go to a single project, and recipients must match the grant dollar for dollar.
“Our communities thrive when they are able to strengthen public health and improve quality of life for their residents,” said DNCR Secretary Pamela Cashwell. “These grants bring much-needed parks, trails, and recreational facilities and a chance for people to connect with their neighbors.”
