Summer is in full swing, and our Outer Banks national parks are helping you enjoy the relaxation, fun, and time with loved ones that make our island community so special.
Recently, Old Lighthouse Beach was named one of the top 10 beaches in the country – which just happens to be the future site of the new multi-use path you are making possible!
In May, our Pathways to Your National Parks project crossed another milestone when the National Park Service fully approved the project’s environmental assessment – the report that looked at how constructing the path will impact the natural environment around it.
This was an expected but necessary step to building the multi-use path and shows that the current design will have a minimal impact on the area while providing a much safer and more accessible experience for locals and visitors.
In July, the construction contract for the project was posted for bidding, and we anticipate a contract being awarded sometime in September.
In addition to this, our National Park Service partners have been working on the new educational signs you’ll see along the path. Each one will highlight an important topic, including our area’s unique environment, the history of water sports on Hatteras Island, and two signs will show why and how the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse was moved in 1999. In addition to walking down a portion of the same path the lighthouse itself took that year, you’ll also get to have a fun interactive experience related to the lighthouse move. We’ll share sneak peeks of these signs with you soon!
Every gift makes a difference and gets us closer to completing this project. Be sure to take a look at our online Donor Wall to see all of the amazing businesses, families, and individuals who are helping make this project possible. If you have any questions about the fundraising campaign or the project itself, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We look forward to providing more updates in the coming months!
Click here to learn more about the Pathways to Your National Parks project.