The City of Wilmington, New Hanover County, and The Endowment are pleased to announce a collaborative investment to support the City’s acquisition and preservation of approximately 25 acres of green space off Greenville Loop Road for the development of a public park.
With the joint funding commitment, the City of Wilmington plans to acquire the property, ensuring its long-term conservation and expanding opportunities for community-informed recreation amenities for the residents of New Hanover County.
The acquisition price of $9.75 million will be funded by a combination of City, County and Endowment resources specifically a $7.75 million grant from The Endowment and $1 million each from the City and the County.
The project aligns with the City of Wilmington’s Comprehensive Parks, Recreation + Open Space Master Plan, which identifies the need to acquire an additional 120 acres to meet current and future recreational demands. It also advances the City’s goal of expanding park access in areas currently underserved by recreational infrastructure while strengthening a connected network of parks, trails, and green spaces.
“The City of Wilmington is committed to activating this site as a public park and maintaining, operating, and programming it,” Mayor Saffo said. “Opportunities to secure a significant, undeveloped tract of land within the City are increasingly rare. We are grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with New Hanover County and The Endowment to preserve land adjacent to the Greenville Loop Trail and transform it into a public asset. This investment reflects our dedication to ensuring residents across Wilmington have access to safe, high-quality parks, trails, and green spaces that strengthen community connections and can be enjoyed for generations to come.”
This initiative advances New Hanover County’s Sustainable Land Use and Environmental Stewardship goals, building on the Board of Commissioners’ preservation of nearly 100 acres of green space in the past year alone.
“Preserving green space is not something this Board just talks about; it is something we deliver on,” said LeAnn Pierce, Chair of the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners. “In the past year, we have committed to preserving open space across the county, and this partnership adds an additional 25 acres in an area where families, students, and residents will benefit directly.”
Located adjacent to Bradley Creek Elementary School, a Title I school serving a diverse New Hanover County student population, the site offers a rare opportunity to preserve urban green space in a rapidly growing area of the county while expanding access to outdoor recreation and learning for residents across New Hanover County.
“Great visions become reality through shared purpose and stewardship,” said Sophie Dagenais, President and CEO of The Endowment. “The Endowment is proud to help the City of Wilmington and New Hanover County bring to life a community space that protects our precious natural resources and invites residents to connect with nature and with one another. Together, we are strengthening community well‑being and creating a legacy that will endure for generations to come.”
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