Carolina Beach receives provisional $3.5M grant for coastal park, event stage

CAROLINA BEACH, NC (WWAY) — The New Hanover Community Endowment has approved a $3.5 million provisional grant to the Town of Carolina Beach to support plans for a new public park and event stage in the downtown Boardwalk area.

The proposed Carolina Beach Coastal Park and Event Stage would transform an oceanfront site into public green space with areas for recreation, community events and other activities.

Early concepts for the park include a new stage for entertainment and educational programs, a large open lawn for events and activities and family-friendly amenities, potentially including a splash pad.

The grant follows the town’s recent $12 million purchase of nine properties in the Boardwalk district. Five of those properties are expected to make up the site of the future park.

Town officials said the Endowment funding will allow Carolina Beach to begin planning the next steps for the project, including gathering public input on the park’s design.

Mayor Lynn Barbee said the project will help preserve public access to an area that has served as a gathering place for generations.

“This project came together through a partnership between the Town, the County, and the Endowment, and it will keep a public gathering space on the ocean open to every resident and visitor,” Barbee said.

The town did not provide a timeline for construction in its announcement.