Abbey Nature Preserve reopens with new entrance

PENDER COUNTY, NC —Abbey Nature Preserve reopened Friday with a new entrance.

According to Pender County Parks and Recreation, the preserve had to temporarily close a couple of weeks ago due to land development at the adjacent property, which caused safety concerns to developers.

The new entrance will be at 1035 Scott’s Hill Loop Road in Wilmington, NC 28411. There will be signs along with maps at both the old entrance and the new entrance to let parkgoers know where to park. The new graveled public parking lot has spots for 40 cars.

“We know the Preserve holds a special place in many people’s hearts, and it was important to get it open as soon as it safely could be,” Pender County Parks and Recreation Director Zach White said in a press release. “Many people came together to get the approvals and the new access area completed.”

Abbey Nature Preserve is 62 acres and steeped in rich history. There are 1.5 miles of sandy nature trails with wildflowers scattered through densely wooded pine and hardwood forests, a dam, and a millpond. The Preserve is great for hikes, spotting wildlife, or bird watching.

The property was acquired by Mungo Homes, who asked Pender County Parks and Recreation to lease the 62 acres of the Preserve, which is currently held under two conservation easements through the North Carolina Coastal Land Trust.