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Home , Carvers Creek State Park, Chimney Rock State Park, Deep River State Trail, Dismal Swamp State Park, Elk Knob State Park, Eno River State Park

STATE PARK 2009 BEAR PAW STATE NATURAL AREA 2008 YELLOW MOUNTAIN STATE NATURAL AREA 2008 DEEP STATE 2007 PINEOLA BOG STATE NATURAL AREA 2006 SUGAR MOUNTAIN BOG STATE NATURAL AREA SANDY RUN SAVANNAS STATE NATURAL AREA 2005 2003 STATE PARK LOWER HAW RIVER STATE NATURAL AREA KNOB STATE PARK 2002 BEECH CREEK BOG STATE NATURAL AREA BULLHEAD MOUNTAIN STATE NATURAL AREA 2000 LEA STATE NATURAL AREA MOUNTAINS-TO-SEA STATE TRAIL 1999 OCCONEECHEE MOUNTAIN STATE NATURAL AREA 1997 RUN HILL STATE NATURAL AREA 1995 RIVER STATE PARK 1989 STATE TRAIL 1987 JAMES STATE PARK STATE TRAIL STATE RECREATION AREA 1986 HORSEPASTURE STATE RIVER 1985 FALLS LAKE STATE RECREATION AREA 1982 JORDAN LAKE STATE RECREATION AREA 1981 BALDHEAD ISLAND STATE NATURAL AREA 1979 BAYTREE LAKE STATE PARK SOUTH MOUNTAINS STATE PARK 1978 BUSHY LAKE STATE NATURAL AREA 1977 HEMLOCK BLUFFS STATE NATURAL AREA 1976 STATE PARK STATE NATURAL AREA MITCHELL MILL STATE NATURAL AREA JOCKEY’S RIDGE STATE PARK 1975 LINVILLE STATE RIVER DISMAL STATE PARK 1974 CHOWAN SWAMP STATE NATURAL AREA 1973 STATE PARK STATE PARK MERCHANTS MILLPOND STATE PARK MEDOC MOUNTAIN STATE PARK THEODORE ROOSEVELT STATE NATURAL AREA 1971 1970 CAROLINA BEACH STATE PARK 1969 2015 ANNUAL REPORT STONE MOUNTAIN STATE PARK PILOT MOUNTAIN STATE PARK 1968 WEYMOUTH WOODS STATE NATURAL AREA 1963 STATE PARK 1962 HAMMOCKS BEACH STATE PARK 1961 MOUNT JEFFERSON STATE NATURAL AREA 1956 KERR LAKE STATE RECREATION AREA 1952 CLIFFS OF THE NEUSE STATE PARK 1945 STATE PARKS WILLIAM B. UMSTEAD STATE PARK 1941 1939 AND STATE PARK RECREATION 1935 MORROW MOUNTAIN STATE PARK SALTERS LAKE 1929 WHITE LAKE 1924 STATE PARK 1916 Celebration approaches. State Park in Burke and McDowell counties has been Our great state will named the North Carolina 2014 State Park of the Year by the N.C. celebrate the state parks Division of Parks and Recreation. system’s 100th anniversary in 2016. The General The park was chosen for its “exemplary contribution to the North Assembly authorized Carolina state parks mission of stewardship, public service and Mount Mitchell as the education,” and specifically recognized for initiatives in managing first state park March 3, natural resources, recruiting volunteers and expanding recreation 1915 and land to start the opportunities. park was acquired the During the year, opened a 15-mile network following year. Conservation, recreation and education have been Bridge over Paddy’s Creek has of mountain biking , began offering and rentals become a signature landmark. Dear Friends: and continue to be what North Carolina state parks are all about. and staged multiple special events including an ultra-marathon Upon becoming director in We plan on celebrating and commemorating our first 100 years and the popular Catawba Riverfest. mid-2014, I embarked on a through a series of events across the state and will also use it as a The park’s rangers reached more than 4,000 visitors with special six-month whirlwind tour of springboard to a renewed commitment to state parks in the next interpretive programs, and guided volunteers for more than 1,100 all our state parks and The cover photo of Lake James, century. To assist us in the effort, the division is working with hours, a 400 percent increase over the previous year. The the 2014 State Park of the Year, recreation areas. What I found MSA, a Raleigh-based marketing firm, to develop a plan to help maintenance staff continued trail construction and launched a was taken by N. McGrath. was spectacular natural us increase public support and appreciation of the park system, to project to build canoe-in campsites. The division’s natural resource resources, clean, well-kept create and build public-private and corporate partnerships and to staff and park rangers initiated prescribed burn and kudzu facilities and an energetic and strengthen and grow friends and volunteer groups for individual management programs, and staged a 24-hour “bioblitz” to dedicated staff of parks and the system as a whole. inventory hundreds of plant and animal species in the park. superintendents, rangers, Picnic area at Lake James. Elsewhere in this annual report, you will learn more about our maintenance mechanics, office The state parks system began choosing a State Park of the Year in 2010 with nominations from each record-setting attendance, the addition of the Vade Mecum Find us online at: assistants, seasonal workers and of four districts. Each of the state parks and recreation areas submits an annual report that is www.ncparks.gov property at Hanging Rock State Park, our on-going efforts to volunteers. objectively scored on progress in recreation, natural resource protection, sustainability, public safety www.facebook.com/NorthCarolinaStateParks complete the Mountains-to-Sea State Trail, the expansion of www.twitter.com/NCparks and environmental education. Final judging is by senior and peer administrators. I saw and experienced the same visitor experiences through environmental education programs, things that drew a record- retail opportunities, increased recreational options and so many setting 15.6 million visitors to other significant achievements. Please take the time to read about our state parks in 2014. I have the many efforts that led Lake James to be named as state park of also learned why I have the the year. You can also find descriptions, facts and figures describing best job in state government. I our continued efforts to be responsible stewards of the natural and To learn more and to join the am so very proud and humbled Friends of State Parks, please visit: economic resources entrusted to us. www.ncfsp.org to be working so closely with I encourage you to pour over this document and learn more about printed on recycled paper such a dedicated group of individuals who strive each and the places and the people that make our state parks system so Design: Denise Smith, Creative Services, N.C.DENR every day to make sure our special. More importantly, I encourage you to come visit your state state parks remain naturally parks and connect with North Carolina’s natural and cultural wonderful. heritage. I am sure you will be amazed by what you can find in your own backyard. In addition, I have witnessed the growing enthusiasm and Sincerely, energy being generated as the Mike Murphy North Carolina Centennial

NORTH CAROLINA DIVISION OF PARKS AND RECREATION 2015 A NNUAL R EPORT 2 3 The state parks system has A completed master plan will state parks system, other state been hearing from partners, lead toward official agencies, federal agencies, stakeholders and the public as designation of remaining local governments and part of a master planning portions by setting priorities volunteers organized by process underway to guide for completing trail sub- Friends of the Mountains-to- completion of the Mountains- sections. It will also unify Sea Trail have built sections of to-Sea State Trail. regional planning efforts, the trail, representing a identify potential new partnership that includes The 1,000-mile trail corridor partners and funding hundreds of citizens and every will ultimately link Clingman’s strategies, and establish level of government. Dome in the Great Smoky guidelines for signs and Mountains to Jockey’s Ridge The North Carolina Paddle Festival included some As part of First Day Hikes, Park Superintendent Kelley King publicity. The state parks kayak tours of Hammocks Beach State Park . leads hikers along a new trial at . State Park on the coast. system hired Planning Nearly two thirds of the North Carolina’s state parks and state recreation A number of factors likely contributed to the Communities, LLC to prepare cross-state route has been areas experienced record attendance in 2014, record visitation, including First Day Hikes on a detailed master plan by late completed as a continuous, with 15.6 million visitors, a 10 percent increase Jan. 1 and a long list of other special events at the 2015 at a contract price of off-road trail experience, from the 14.2 million visitors the previous year. parks throughout the year. More than two dozen $120,000 supported through offering opportunities for events were scheduled for National Trails Day in the N.C. Parks and Recreation Among 39 state parks and state recreation areas, , biking and horseback June, and every park held special interpretive Trust Fund. 27 reported increases in attendance in 2014. programs during Take a Child Outside Week in riding through some of North William B. Umstead State Park in Wake County September. Newly created events began to gain Carolina’s most scenic A unit of the state parks reported the highest attendance at 1.29 million traction, including a paddle festival at landscapes. Where the trail system, the Mountains-to-Sea visits, and was among six state park units logging Hammocks Beach State Park and a long-distance has not yet been completed, State Trail is envisioned as the more than 1 million visitors. The others were hiking challenge at Hanging Rock State Park. detours along secondary roads backbone of a network of Fort Macon and Jockey’s Ridge state parks and Additionally, no parks were closed for extended allow ambitious hikers to regional hiking, paddling and Falls Lake, Jordan Lake and Kerr Lake state periods due to weather emergencies or complete the trek. multi-use trails across the In western N.C., the Mountains-to-Sea State Trail recreation areas. makes use of the corridor. construction. state, which could be easily connected to local trail and During the past 25 years, attendance at state The state parks system manages more than greenway efforts. Eventually, parks has nearly doubled. In 1989, eight million 224,000 acres within state parks, state recreation the trail will link 33 of North people visited state parks and recreation areas. areas and a system of state natural areas Carolina’s 100 counties and dedicated to the conservation of rare resources. offer local access to 40 percent of the state’s population. The

Lake James State Park opened a 15-mile Kids helped dedicate a new TRACK Trail at network of mountain biking trails in 2014. Grandfather Mountain State Park.

NORTH CAROLINA DIVISION OF PARKS AND RECREATION 2015 A NNUAL R EPORT 4 5 Fort Macon Exhibit Pavilion Completed construction projects in 2014 architectural rendering courtesy Hobbs Architects. State parks offer visitors a National Moth Week Scouts Carolina Costal • An exhibit pavilion at Fort Macon State Park was chance to experience North investigations at Haw River Council joined forces with completed in February 2014. The architecture of Carolina’s most unique natural State Park in July. Among the state parks in 2014 to bring the pavilion complements the existing fort and and cultural resources. Park 261 species of moths they more than 400 explorers to coastal education center while providing interpretation - through hikes, encountered was a variety that nine different special events. interpretation and education about the fort. The guided programs and exhibits, had never before been found in The events, called “SPARKLE nonprofit Friends of Fort Macon provided $90,000 helps visitors find meaning and North Carolina. Days” (State Park Lady toward the construction of this facility. create memories in these Explorers), offer crafts, hikes A partnership with the Blue amazing public lands. Park and service projects that • In 2013, winter and floods caused a Ridge Parkway Foundation has educators offer science-based highlight the special and significant failure of the road into Chimney Rock helped state parks open 26 new environmental education unique qualities of each park. State Park. With help from the N.C. Department self-guided trails geared programming through school of Transportation, an emergency repair was specifically for children. These Since 2004, the state parks field trips, teacher-training designed and constructed in an expedited manner. The road • The main underground Kids In Parks trails (http:// system has awarded workshops and the Junior reopened in early March 2014. electrical transmission line kidsinparks.com) offer approximately 10,000 kids ages Ranger program. In 2014, at Morrow Mountain State brochures full of scavenger 5-12 with a Junior Ranger • Campground improvements at the Jacobs Fork Section of 353,138 visitors joined a North Park supplying power to hunts and games. After patch. It is a national award- South Mountains State Park were completed in May 2014. Carolina state parks the summit was replaced. completing a trail and winning program where kids The campground was expanded from 11 primitive sites to 18 interpretation and education This work was completed registering their hike online, complete outdoor challenges in sites and all sites were refurbished. A new shower facility was program. in December 2014. kids earn incentives such as a workbook and give back with completed. Two of the 18 sites are suitable for RV’s. The 2014 educational theme patches, nature journals and a park stewardship project. The • The exterior of the Lake • The final phase of the Lake James State Park mountain bike was “Year of the Lepidoptera.” hiking sticks. Funded largely program is sponsored by Norman State Park Visitor trail network was completed, extending the trail distance to Lepidoptera, which means by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Friends of State Parks and it Center and West District over 15 miles. This phase included the construction of four scale-wing, includes at least North Carolina, the Kids In received three private grants in Office building will be bridges. Park staff and volunteers built three of the four 176 North Carolina species of Parks trails program fosters 2014 to support program costs. completed in late 2015. In bridges which created cost savings for the project. A small butterflies and several partnerships for healthy kids, Friends of State Parks addition, the construction gravel parking lot/trail head and vault toilet building were thousand species of moths. healthy parks and healthy celebrated the 10th year of the of an educational trail and included with the project. Across the state, more than communities. program with games, crafts, miscellaneous 2,000 visitors joined an and “s’mores” at a • Major system improvements were completed at Pilot improvements to the State parks rely on great education program to explore Junior Ranger Earth Day Mountain State Park in September 2014. The project included picnic area and shelters partnerships with Girl Scouts, butterflies, moths and Celebration in William B. demolition of two aging water storage tanks, installation of a should also be completed Boy Scouts and other youth caterpillars. Teachers and park Umstead State Park. single 20,000-gallon water storage tank, replacement of water in early 2015. groups to promote education rangers joined scientists for lines throughout the park, and a new well. (Two unproductive and volunteerism. The Girl wells were abandoned.)

2014 - Year of the Lepidoptera. A park ranger leads a GPS program. Junior Rangers study animals with photos. NORTH CAROLINA The new visitor center and west DIVISION OF PARKS AND RECREATION district office at will be completed in early 2015. 2015 A NNUAL R EPORT 6 7

Under construction At the end of March, Haw River State Park sent its old wastewater treatment plant packing and replaced it with a “subsurface field treatment” system. The new system • Youth cabin renovations at Haw River State Park started in reduces environmental impacts and operating costs. late December 2014 and are expected to be completed in June 2015. to save some green. The park is using the new subsurface saving over $450 a month on system. • Major repairs and renovations were begun at Fort Macon its power bill, but the savings State Park’s bathhouse. The repairs should be completed in do not stop there. County and The subsurface system requires 2015. state regulations require daily very little maintenance, since an old farm field is perfectly • One phase of trail structure improvements at Chimney Rock inspections of a wastewater suited for spray application. State Park began in December 2014. The project is scheduled treatment plant by a certified A 2010 plan was to renovate The field must be kept clear of for completion in late spring 2015. The improvements will the 25-year-old plant. But, technician. That had cost the state park $1,700 a month. The trees, but staff was already provide access to Pulpit Rock, the Groto, and the Subway concerns about proposed water regularly clearing it with a which have been closed for several years to the condition of quality rules for the Jordan plant’s advanced age and seasonal fluctuations in the bush-hog, so that hasn’t added the trail structures. Lake watershed led to the to the workload. decision to keep the park’s number of guests were 2014 Land Acquisitions treated wastewater out of the significant factors affecting The last benefit of the new Haw River altogether. compliance. subsurface system isn’t In 2014, 2,146 acres were added to the North Carolina state parks system in 14 transactions at eight monetary or physical, but one As the parks system’s first Without getting too much into units. Acreage at two state parks increased by the transfer of existing state-owned property. Lumber of aesthetics. The old plant was residential environmental the nitty-gritty (and somewhat River State Park increased by 144 acres through an allocation of property from the N.C. Indian not only an eyesore, but education center, it’s vitally smelly) side of running a Cultural Center along the near Maxton. Hanging Rock State Park increased by 717 considering the noise and foul important that the park wastewater treatment plant, acres with the transfer of Camp Sertoma from the 4-H program and North Carolina State University bacteria living in the plant smells, passing it while operates with a commitment walking along one of the park’s to the state park. to environmental protection. serve to break down everything that flows through. During main trails to the lake was The federal Land and Water Conservation Fund was instrumental in the acquisition of two key Having a failing treatment sometimes not as serene as one plant that fed indirectly into low-visitation periods, such as properties, one at Chimney Rock State Park and the other at Yellow Mountain State Natural Area. mid-winter, the bacteria could would like. That experience has the Haw River (and ultimately been improved tremendously. Shumont Mountain, the highest peak on Rumbling Bald, was added to Chimney Rock State Park Jordan Lake) simply was not die off because they aren’t with the assistance of LWCF, two state conservation trust funds and a private donation. This peak is acceptable. In addition, the being fed enough. In order to maintain the bacteria, staff visible from many locations within Hickory Nut Gorge and is a future destination point for proposed amount of water and energy would purchase large bags of trails on Rumbling Bald. needed to operate the aging plant was substantial. dog food to keep them alive or At Yellow Mountain, the Grassy Ridge property now connects the state natural area to the Pisgah introduce sludge brought to National Forest in the Roan Highlands. This 560-acre parcel was acquired by the state from the Water consumption is the park. Neither option was Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy with the assistance of LWCF, private funds, and the somewhat challenging to inexpensive. When the park The old wastewater treatment plant was retired and removed. Clean Water Management and Parks and Recreation trust funds. In the future, a hiking trail calculate since the park is was at capacity, staff would connecting the state natural to the will be developed. served by well water. But, there have to hire another company is a very clear picture of energy to pump out what the plant use and cost savings. couldn’t handle, costing up to Comparing 2013 to 2014, $3,000 a year. energy costs are now 1/13th the amount for the old system. The bottom-line savings considering power bills, Haw River State Park strives technicians and additional Old farm field for subsurface system was to be green, but it’s also good costs is nearly $30,000 a year replanted, but trees aren’t allowed.

NORTH CAROLINA DIVISION OF PARKS AND RECREATION 2015 A NNUAL R EPORT 8 9 9 South Mountains State Park volunteers help The Parks and Recreation Trust coastal communities with with projects like trail PARTF Members Fund, administered by the N.C. projects such as access construction and Division of Parks and improvements in Windsor, maintenance, Jason Kay, Chairman Recreation is funded through public restrooms in Oriental, an appropriation by the N.C. and a pavilion in Morehead construction of benches Mecklenburg County General Assembly. These funds City. for the trails and Ann Babcock are used for state parks (65 Staff is completing the treating hemlock trees percent) and as dollar-for- Buncombe County Statewide Comprehensive to fight the hemlock dollar matching grants to local Lydia Boesch Outdoor Recreation Plan wooly adelgid. governments for park and (SCORP), a planning South Mountains State Park volunteers hard at work Moore County recreation purposes (30 document revised every five In general terms, volunteering is the practice of Volunteers serve our state parks in many ways, percent). In addition, 5 percent Paul Herbert years for the state to continue people working on behalf of others or a including oyster shell bagging, constructing of the funds are distributed to Mecklenburg County to receive LWCF Funds from particular cause without payment for their time picnic tables, working special events, tree the Public Beach and Coastal the federal government. The and services. planting and removing invasive species. Some Neal Lewis Waterfront Access Program. SCORP is also a meaningful familiar organizations are behind our volunteers New Hanover County During the 2013-14 fiscal year, evaluation of state and local People seek to volunteer because it is a such as AmeriCorps, Big Sweep, Girl Scouts, the total revenue available for Cynthia Tart government public outdoor worthwhile activity or it is something of Eagle Scouts and local universities and colleges. allocation was $11,163,500. recreation facilities, including importance to them. Volunteers are critical Brunswick County The state parks system received The average value of volunteer time was supply and demand. partners of and participants in our parks. They Lisa Wolff $7,256,275; local governments estimated at $22.55/hr. in 2013 by the are vital in helping us protect our natural received $3,349,050; and the Independent Sector, a nationally known Alamance County resources and natural heritage. They build Public Beach and Coastal provider that studies charitable impacts. community by demonstrating strong park Edward W. Wood Waterfront Access Program Volunteers contributed about 74,090 hours to stewardship and commitment to public lands. received $558,175. state parks. That equates to a value of Chowan County $1,670,729 in volunteer hours. Sixty-four local governments applied for the available funds 80,000 and 17 were funded for projects such as a community 70,000 center in Cofield, swimming pool renovations in Mars Hill, 60,000 and for a preserve and educational forest development 50,000 in Spencer. State parks used 40,000 available funds to purchase 383 acres of land, as well as 30,000 complete a number of Volunteer HoursVolunteer important maintenance and 20,000 renovation projects at 10 sites. The Public Beach and Coastal 10,000 Waterfront Access Program 0 used funds to assist eight 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

NORTH CAROLINA DIVISION OF PARKS AND RECREATION 2015 A NNUAL R EPORT 10 11 Longleaf restoration years, fire was suppressed at pine stand benefit. The results accelerated in the coastal plain. many of the longleaf sites, at Jones Lake were so great Hardwood control projects resulting in an overabundance that the site has been chosen were undertaken at Singletary of hardwoods. By reducing the by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Lake, Lake Waccamaw, Cliffs height and quantity of Service as a reintroduction site of the Neuse, Jones Lake and hardwoods, the grasses for the endangered red- Weymouth Woods. Over the necessary to a healthy longleaf cockaded woodpecker.

Biologist drilling a new cavity to reintroduce Before and after photos from alder removal at Pineola Bog. the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker.

The type of ecological Bog, and the results speak for were introduced in parks that disturbance in rare mountain themselves as shown in the had not had a prescribed fire bogs is not entirely clear. photos above. in many years, including 197 However, it’s evident that in acres at Lake James State Park The division had the best year the absence of disturbances and an amazing 1,240 acres at ever for prescribed fire. A such as fire, grazing, or heavy Morrow Mountain State Park. record 3,852 acres were flooding, herbaceous plants are Other partners included The successfully burned at 15 out-competed. A team from Nature Conservancy and the separate parks. Noteworthy and the N.C. Wildlife Resources was the interagency natural resources program Commission, who partnered at cooperation used to achieve removed alders from Pineola South Mountains State Park this record. With the help of to burn 1,132 acres in a single the N.C. Forest Service, burns fire.

Prescribed burns are used as a resource management tool in many locations by the state parks system. Some plant communities and animal species rely on periodic fire for their existence. The prescribed burns also reduce the amount of potential fuel and help protect a park’s resources and neighboring landowners if lightning, arson or carelessness sparks a wildfire.

NORTH CAROLINA DIVISION OF PARKS AND RECREATION 2015 A NNUAL R EPORT 12 13 NorthThe N.C. Division Carolina of Parks Grass and herbaceous seed every product purchased. governments plan and submit Statewide teleconferences were Parksand Recreation and continues Recreation its grant proposals forTrust the N.C. Fundalso held regarding(partf the )trust harvesting were conducted at Eighteen volunteers organized service to local parks and Parks and Recreation Trust fund grant process and Carvers Creek State Park, and by HRB Movement planted recreation agencies through Fund. They also follow financial data reporting with research began for a 2,100 longleaf seedlings on 20 Recreation Resources Service, through with project over 115 people attending. restoration project. For seed to acres of the park undergoing the nation’s oldest technical inspections, application be collected, the site must have restoration. Each year, RRS conducts the assistance program. The processing, conversion issues been burned at the right time North Carolina Municipal and Prior to the planting, the program is administered and closeout processing. during the summer. This is the County Parks and Recreation biologist conducted a short through North Carolina State Wiregrass seed collection at Carvers Creek State Park. In addition to grant Services Study. The 2014 first time seed has been University’s Department of program on the natural history administration, RRS provides study marked the 65th year of collected on state parks for use Parks, Recreation and Tourism of longleaf communities and continuing education assessment for municipal on state parks. Management in the College of the importance of fire to these opportunities for parks and leisure service providers. The Natural Resources. For the second year in a row, communities. The planting of recreation professionals and study offers leisure service the coastal region biologist the trees was the culminating In 2014, RRS provided citizen board members. In managers and administrators worked with HRB Movement, event in the restoration process. technical assistance to local 2014, RRS sponsored eight an important tool for tax- a Wilmington sustainable The event was very much a governments in all 100 North teleconferences in 12 locations supported funding trend clothing company, to plant community and family affair. Carolina counties. RRS staff across the state using the analysis based upon changes in longleaf seedlings at Lake Most volunteers were families conducted presentations to North Carolina Research and operating budget fund levels Waccamaw State Park. HRB from the local area, citizen advisory boards, and Education Network. Topics from year to year and compares Movement promises its Wilmington, Raleigh and from evaluated park land purchases included pesticide certification, park and recreation salaries Volunteers from HRB Movement ready to plant trees at . customers to plant one tree for as far away as . and development plans. summer camps, legal issues, and revenue sources for similar social media, nature play, communities as a tool to With its team of four regional repurposing parks and evaluate levels of service. consultants, RRS helps local emergency planning. Prescribed Burning at NC State Parks 2000-2014

4000

3500 Mountains

3000 Coastal 2500

2000

Acres Burned 1500

1000

500

0 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14

NORTH CAROLINA DIVISION OF PARKS AND RECREATION 2015 A NNUAL R EPORT 14 15 Educational opportunities provided by RRS • Co-sponsored with North Carolina state included: parks, a statewide trails conference with more than 110 participants; and, • Presentations at North Carolina Recreation and Park Association annual conference, • Co-sponsored the 7th Annual Conference the Park and Recreation NC Children and Nature Coalition. Association and the National Recreation One of the focuses of RRS is to meet the and Park Association; The lodge, once known as Cheshire Interior of one of the camp’s cabins. Volunteers begin clearing needs of the individual parks and recreation Hall, was built in the 1890s trails on the property. • Sponsoring the National Playground Safety agencies through the state, as well as as the centerpiece of a resort. Institute, a training course offered by the developing recreational opportunities where Hanging Rock State Park in having been developed in the The state parks system is National Recreation and Park Association; none exist. This assistance takes many forms Stokes County has expanded 1890s as a resort. It was developing a management plan including: with the addition of a former operated as a retreat and for reopening those facilities • Coordinating the 66th Annual Municipal 4-H camp on 716 acres. summer camp by the that can contribute to the state • Recreation advisory board training; and County Recreation Directors Episcopal Diocese and Easter park’s mission. Friends of Conference with more than 130 directors Operations of the former • Development of new parks and recreation Seals until its acquisition by is and guests attending; Camp Sertoma 4-H departments (Towns of Holden Beach and North Carolina State developing volunteer resources Education Center, also known Windsor); University in 1981 for its 4-H to assist the state park. • Coordinating the 4th Annual Women’s as the Vade Mecum Springs Lead”her”ship Conference which drew 120 program. The Vade Mecum • Department accreditation assistance; property with Moore Springs The Vade Mecum Springs women from across the country; facilities include a 398-acre Campground, have been campground complex with property has a long history. • Development of systemwide and site- • Coordinated the 3rd Annual Aquatics folded into those of the state nine miles of mountain biking Entrepreneurs John Sparks specific master plans; Workshop; park. Legislation passed by the trails and access on the Dan and J. Cicero Tise developed 2014 General Assembly Vade Mecum Springs at the • Conceptual drawings of parks; River, a lodge, recreation hall, authorized the N.C. swimming pool, 13 cabins, turn of the 20th Century as a • Maintenance audits; Department of Administration equestrian barn and trails, resort revolving around the to transfer the property for chapel and athletic fields. The healthful Moore Springs. Vade • Regional park and recreation inclusion in the state parks property is located about Mecum is Latin for “go with directors meeting. system. one-half mile northwest of the me,” and local history suggests state park boundary across the businessmen borrowed the Vade Mecum Springs is a name from a legend involving Moore Springs Road. At the request of the N.C. Stokes County landmark, a Saura American Indian Division of Parks and Recreation, princess and her lover. RRS assisted in the development of the 2014 Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan. RRS involvement To assist the Eastern Band of the All deer are tracked with radio included the development and Indians, Morrow collars and research is conducted distribution of surveys Mountain State Park donated on the success of the relocation determining park acreage, facility deer to reestablish the deer herd efforts. The Cherokee have been inventory and public input. Over on the tribe’s Qualla Boundary concentrating on improving 17,000 survey responses were reservation. The cutting edge for all wildlife, including received. project was a group effort of the deer on their lands. Morrow Cherokee, North Carolina state Mountain has long had an excess parks, the , of deer due to a lack of native RECREATION RESOURCES SERVICE the University of , and predators, and the relocation the N.C. Wildlife Resources benefitted the park as well as the NORTH CAROLINA DIVISION OF PARKS AND RECREATION Commission. Cherokee. 2015 A NNUAL R EPORT 16 17 North Carolina’s Junior Ranger program celebrated its 10th anniversary More than 200 this year. This effort is supported by the statewide Friends of State Parks youngsters and retailer Great Outdoor Provision Co. with instructional materials and a series of patches that represent specific state parks. Through the Junior earned Junior Ranger program, children gain an appreciation of the outdoors, the state parks and North Carolina’s natural heritage, and they learn about careers in Ranger patches natural resources. at William B. Chuck Melvin Mike Nossek Kelly Chandler The state parks warehouse is an the bulk of the parks’ needs division surplus property, and Junior Ranger Day featured crafts, games, lessons on ecology and wildlife, Umstead State often overlooked part of the through spring and fall assistance with administrative fishing, opportunities to create a boat from recycled materials and cook state park system. But, in delivery seasons. Centralized moves. s’mores over an open campfire, all guided by park rangers and education Park at the first- reality, it is a vital part of daily purchasing enables bulk orders staff, Americorps staff and volunteers from Friends of State Parks and Warehouse staff takes these ever Junior park operations that grows and greater buying power, Great Outdoor Provision Co. responsibilities very seriously with each passing year and saving the division tens of Ranger Day, as and are committed to fulfilling every new addition to the thousands of dollars on them while promoting the part of the state system. When fully stocked, supplies each year. the warehouse secures division mission of parks’ Earth Day approximately $750,000 worth In addition to the conservation and stewardship. responsibilities of purchasing By continuously adding celebration. of IT equipment, operational and safety supplies, and is and delivering the parks’ recycled and environmentally ultimately responsible for supplies, the state parks friendly items to the growing ensuring the entire division warehouse also houses the inventory and increasing receives vital operational division’s Web store operation efficiency through supplies and timely labor/ concessions stock and careful planning and combined logistical support. processes and ships customer trips, the warehouse strives to orders. The facility supplies the preserve our precious The warehouse supplies the parks’ visitor centers and N.C. environment and save valuable parks and division staff with area welcome centers with fuel and taxpayer dollars, while hundreds of essential items state park brochures. offering the highest level of year round, including janitorial service to its valued customers: Additional division support and cleaning products, park all division staff, our state park includes receipt and tracking signs and boundary markers, friends and visitors. personal protection equipment, of new division IT equipment, firefighting supplies and fulfills removal and submission of

NORTH CAROLINA DIVISION OF PARKS AND RECREATION 2015 A NNUAL R EPORT 18 19 North Carolina state parks to the local convenience store Sandhills Nature Preserve and With a new focus have been focusing on ways to if they forgot matches to light Kerr Lake State Recreation on retail by the generate more revenue within a campfire or marshmallows to Area all added display cases division, sales of our parks as well as provide roast over that fire. offering everything from gift shop new services to our visitors. A t-shirts, mugs, water Guests also inquired about merchandise and successful example of this is by bottles, paper plates, bug spray souvenirs they could take offering gift shop areas in our and yes, matches. Other parks concessions items home to remind them of their visitor centers. In the past, are following suit. have increased visit. Recently, Elk Knob State park staff had to send campers each of the past Park, Weymouth Woods five years. Elk Knob State Park

Retail Sales 2011-2014 NC State Parks Operating Cost per Capita $800,000.00 $ 4.50 $700,000.00 $ 4.00 $600,000.00 $ 3.50

$500,000.00 $ 3.00

$400,000.00 $ 2.50 $ 2.00 $300,000.00 $ 1.50 $200,000.00 $ 1.00 $100,000.00 $ 0.50 0 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 0 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14

NORTH CAROLINA DIVISION OF PARKS AND RECREATION 2015 A NNUAL R EPORT 20 21 NC State Parks Budget 2013-14 NC State Parks Operating Cost per Visitor

$ 3.00 $ 2.50 Travel and Training $117,644 $ 2.00 Supplies and Materials $ 1.50 $3,347,029 Equipment $ 1.00 $2,027,917 $ 0.50 Administrative $647,558 0 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14

PARTF $9,958,332

Salaries & Benefits $25,880,511 Purchased Services - (utilities, communications, services performed by outside vendors such as waste collection, repairs to buildings and equipment) $4,901,896

Come help us celebrate our 100 Year Anniversary ! 1916 - 2016

NORTH CAROLINA DIVISION OF PARKS AND RECREATION 2015 A NNUAL R EPORT 22 23