PARTF Grants Level the Playing Field for Recreation Across North Carolina
North Carolina is a special place for many reasons, and the opportunity for recreation is one of them. Between the sprawling coastal beaches and the Appalachian Mountains, there are countless miles of trails, greenspaces, parks, and open areas. To help keep North Carolina a place where people want to move and visit, the parks and recreation areas need to be maintained and, in some cases, developed.
For over 25 years, the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) has served as an essential grant in North Carolina. It helps local governments acquire land and develop / renovate park facilities. There are three types of PARTF grants: land acquisition only, land acquisition with development, and development only. Most PARTF grants are for development only, which means the government wants to develop or renovate facilities on land it already owns.
Most small to mid-size communities need grant funding to provide amenities that are comparable to those found in large communities. The PARTF grant application was formed in a way that helps local governments adopt best practices like public input, comprehensive planning, and master planning. PARTF funding allows more communities the opportunity to have updated parks and recreation amenities, and it helps ensure the developments are well researched and designed.
A Recent Coastal PARTF Project
Majestic Oaks Park is in the Town of Sunset Beach. In November of 2022, the Town purchased 4.28 acres of land on the east end of the island for $2 million. The Town intends to develop a parking area, boardwalks, paths, a fishing pier, a canoe and kayak launch, restroom facilities, benches, bench swings, a bocce ball court, and a shaded picnic area on the land.
Since there is room for open space and a protected live oak tree on the land, the Town also wants to preserve those items. On February 3, 2025, the Sunset Beach Town Council approved the task order that will protect the live oak tree and allow the park development to begin. This task order is for Phase 1 of the project, which allows members of our team to begin the design, permitting, and bidding.
PARTF Application
Throughout the past 18 years, we have helped over 30 communities secure PARTF funding, which has come out to be nearly $18 million awarded. PARTF applications are due on May 1, 2025. You can get more information on PARTF and access the application here. Nate Halubka (pictured on the right) is a project consultant on the land planning and recreation team at McGill, and he has extensive experience with PARTF.
About the grant, he says: “While all local governments are eligible for PARTF, for many small and mid-sized communities, receiving a PARTF grant is the only way they will be able to afford to build or renovate their parks.” We understand the important role PARTF grants play in North Carolina’s recreation opportunities and enjoy helping communities improve their parks.
To read more about our land planning and recreation team, check out this page on our website. Please reach out to Mike Norris, PLA, with any questions.
