09/29/2026
The New Hanover Community Endowment has approved a $3.5 million provisional grant to the Town of Carolina Beach to help support the creation of the Carolina Beach Coastal Park and Event Stage in the downtown Boardwalk area.
The grant will help turn the oceanfront site into a public park with a new green space, outdoor recreation, and places for the community to gather. Early ideas include a new stage for entertainment and educational programs, a large open lawn for events and activities, and family-friendly amenities such as a possible splash pad.
The award follows the Town’s recent $12 million purchase of nine properties in the Boardwalk district, including the five properties where the park will be located. The Endowment's investment will allow the town to start planning its next steps, including gathering public input on the design of the future park.
"On behalf of the Town of Carolina Beach, thank you to the Endowment's Board of Directors for investing in our Carolina Beach Coastal Park and Event Stage at The Boardwalk," said Mayor Lynn Barbee. "In 1887, Captain John Harper brought the first day-trippers down from Wilmington, and this stretch of oceanfront has been a gathering place for New Hanover County residents ever since. 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. This investment ensures the Boardwalk's 139-year tradition continues for generations to come."
