RALEIGH — Gov. Pat McCrory announced Tuesday that grants totaling $8.4 million from the Parks & Recreation Trust Fund will be awarded to 32 local governments, including White Lake, to help fund land acquisition, development and renovation of public park and recreation areas.

White Lake will receive $305,285 for a multi-use trail.

“North Carolina’s parks and recreation areas are experiencing all-time-high visitation rates and continue to be an essential part of our state’s quality of life,” said Gov. McCrory. “These grants will continue to make North Carolina one of the best states in the nation to work, live and visit by preserving these treasured assets for generations to come.”

The Parks & Recreation Authority considered 66 grant applications requesting $18.3 million. A maximum of $500,000 can be awarded to a single project.

“Our green spaces are what adds to our wonderful quality of life, and attracts tourists and new residents to our great state,” said Natural and Cultural Resources Secretary Susan Kluttz. “The preservation of our natural environments North Carolina provides means more economic development and jobs for all of us.”

Since 2013, more than 136 grants have been awarded from the Parks & Recreation Trust Fund totaling more than $29.7 million.

Staff report