County accepts $50,000 Bate Foundation grant for Nature Park and approves kayak-kiosk MOU

Craven County commissioners on Feb. 16 approved accepting a $50,000 grant from the Harold Bate Foundation to help fund amenities for the new Craven County Nature Park, contingent on a $50,000 county match.

Mark Seymour, recreation and parks director, said the grant will help pay for restrooms, a shelter, a dock and infrastructure including trails for the 176-acre Nature Park. "Funding is allocated for amenities related to the construction of the new Craven County Nature Park," Seymour said, and the board approved a $50,000 budget amendment to provide the county match so the project can proceed.

Seymour also presented a proposal for a self-service kayak rental kiosk at Creekside Park. He said the Craven County Tourism Development Authority (TDA) will fund the kiosk ($25,000) and enter a revenue-sharing MOU with the vendor Whenever Watersports; the kiosk will hold six single kayaks and two tandems and will use a QR-code system for rentals. Seymour provided rental-rate examples: single kayaks $19.99 for one hour, $29.99 for two hours and $50 for a full day; tandems at higher rates. The board approved the MOU and authorized the county manager to sign.

Seymour reviewed the county parks system and capital projects, reporting high usage over the past year and outlining bid schedules for parking, grading, trails and restroom installation with an aim to complete key Nature Park phases in 2026.

What happens next: staff will implement the match and grant acceptance, proceed with bid packages for parking and trails, and work with the TDA and vendor to deploy the kayak kiosk when conditions allow.