Beach town’s ‘Majestic’ park project takes another step

Savanna Tenenoff

Wilmington StarNews

USA TODAY NETWORK

A Brunswick beach town is taking steps forward to making an almost three-year-old park project come to fruition.

The Sunset Beach Town Council during its Feb. 3 meeting voted in favor of approving a task order for a project that will both protect trees and sprout a new park.

Here’s what we know.

What park?

In November 2022, the town spent $2 million to purchase 4.28 acres on the east end of the island between Cobia Street and 16th Street. The town envisioned developing a park on the property, known as Majestic Oak Park, with intentions to also preserve the property as open space.

According to a site plan for the park, in addition to open space and a protected live oak tree, the park will include a parking area, boardwalks, paths, a pier with fishing areas, a launch for canoes and kayaks, restroom facilities, a wildlife observation platform, benches, bench swings, a bocce ball court, and a shaded area with picnic tables.

Funding the park

The town has received approval for four reimbursement grants to fund help fund the property purchase and the project: two $500,000 Parks and Recreation Trust Fund grants and two N.C. Division of Coastal Management Public Beach and Coastal Waterfront Access program grants - one for $250,000 and another grant for $392,175.

The town had a match total of $725,125 between both the $392,175 N.C. Division of Coastal Management Public Beach and Coastal Waterfront Access program grant and the second $500,000 Parks and Recreation Trust Fund grant.

These two grants will be used to develop the park.

The total project is expected to cost over $1,000,000.

Moving forward

Town council on Feb. 3 approved a $168,980 task order for phase one of the Majestic Oaks Park project.

The task order authorizes engineering services from McGill Associates, P.A., for the Majestic Oaks Park design, permitting, bidding and construction services for phase one.

Town Administrator Lisa Anglin said the town has three years to construct the park.

Savanna Tenenoff covers Brunswick County for the StarNews. Reach her at stenenoff@gannett.com .