ELIZABETHTOWN — Tory Hole Park is about to get a three-year extreme makeover, thanks to a $250,000 North Carolina Parks & Recreation Authority grant.

According to Town Manager Eddie Madden, the entire project will cost $680,000 when it’s completed.

“The town council feels that Tory Hole Park has been underutilized,” Madden said. “When the project is completed, we hope it will draw people from the county and the region.”

The development plans for Tory Hole Park will add numerous amenities as well as refurbish areas throughout the park.

Included in the plan will be adding a raised boardwalk to the Cape Fear River shoreline, constructing a fishing pier, putting in a nature-themed playground, adding horseshoe pits, adding an area for disc golf, creating new trails, improving the restrooms and doing renovations to the amphitheater and picnic shelter.

“We really want to see Tory Hole Park become a major part of the community,” Madden said.

He added that the town will spend about a year securing matching funds and, once the contracts are settled for the project, work must be completed within three years.

“We hope to be able to begin work in late 2016 or the spring of 2017,” Madden said.

The town was notified of the grant by a letter from the governor’s office last month.

W. Curt Vincent can be reached by calling 910-862-4163.

W. Curt Vincent

cvincent@civitasmedia.com