The matching grants are intended to help fund land acquisition, development and renovation of public park and recreation areas. 

More than 60 applications were considered.

 

"Through the local grant program of the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund, state and local governments have been partners in providing open space, outdoor recreation opportunities and stimulus to local economies," said Mike Murphy, director of the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation in a statement announcing the grants. "The result has been environmental stewardship, healthier citizens and improvements in the quality of life in North Carolina."

 

The local governments receiving grants in the most recent cycle are: 

 

-- Mint Hill, which received $335,000 for the Brief Road land acquisition

 

-- Red Springs, which received $48,000 for land acquisition

 

-- Linden, which received $212,400 for Linden Park

 

-- Landis, which received $402,269 for the Lake Corriher Wilderness Area Park

 

-- Fairview, which received $317,550 for Fairview Park

 

-- Valdese, which received $215,600 for Downtown Park

 

-- Star, which received $47,500 for the Forks of Little River Passive Park

 

-- Plymouth, which received $353,800 for Wilson Street Park

 

-- Richlands, which received $65,734 for Venters Park Redevelopment

 

-- Sims, which received $75,000 for the Sims Community Park

 

-- Belville, which received $160,897 for the Brunswick Riverwalk at Belville

 

-- Warsaw, which received $300,000 for the Memorial Park Redevelopment

 

-- Elizabethtown, which received $215,000 for Leinwand Park

 

-- Raleigh, which received $250,000 for the Horse Shoe Farm Nature Preserve Park

 

-- Wilsons Mills, which received $250,000 for Wilsons Mills Community Park

 

-- Smithfield, which received $350,000 for Inclusion Park

 

-- Graham County, which received $500,000 for Graham County Park.