Last Updated on April 9, 2026 11:21 am
Governor Josh Stein announced more than $4 million in state grants this week to fund 11 local parks and recreation projects across western North Carolina through the Helene Recovery Fund for the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF).
The High Country received a significant share of the funding. Avery County was awarded $987,500 — the largest single grant — for Hodge Turbyfill Fields in Newland. Watauga County received $494,000 for Cove Creek Park in Sugar Grove. The Town of Beech Mountain in Watauga County received $353,250 for Shane Park. The Town of Banner Elk in Avery County received $204,201 for Tate-Evans Park. Ashe County received $300,000 for Family Central Park in Jefferson. The Town of Seven Devils in Watauga County received $117,716 for repairs on the Otter Falls Trail.
The funding was allocated through the Disaster Recovery Act of 2025 Part II, which Governor Stein signed into law in June 2025 at the reopening celebration at Chimney Rock State Park. The $12.25 million total allocation was divided so that state parks and DuPont State Recreational Forest received 65 percent and local governments received 35 percent. Local government applicants were not subject to a cap on the grant amount they could request but were required to match the PARTF award dollar for dollar with other funding sources.
The Parks and Recreation Authority, a nine-member board appointed by the Governor and legislative leaders, selected the local grant recipients at a March 27 meeting at Lake James State Park.
“Western North Carolina is beautiful, and visiting its parks is a great way to get out and enjoy all it has to offer,” Governor Stein said. “Outdoor recreation also fosters the community fellowship and resilience exemplified by western North Carolinians during and after Hurricane Helene.”
The complete list of grant recipients, with High Country projects listed first:
- Avery County — $987,500 for Hodge Turbyfill Fields, Newland
- Watauga County — $494,000 for Cove Creek Park, Sugar Grove
- Town of Beech Mountain, Watauga County — $353,250 for Shane Park
- Ashe County — $300,000 for Family Central Park, Jefferson
- Town of Banner Elk, Avery County — $204,201 for Tate-Evans Park
- Town of Seven Devils, Watauga County — $117,716 for Otter Falls Trail repairs
- Town of Canton, Haywood County — $403,804 for Sorrells Street Park
- City of Hendersonville, Henderson County — $361,762 for Sullivan Park
- City of Asheville, Buncombe County — $345,000 for Azalea Park
- Town of Montreat, Buncombe County — $307,274 for Flat Creek
- Buncombe County — $284,368 for boat launch replacements on the French Broad River
