$100,000 Duke Energy Grant to Benefit Riverwalk Marina Project

A grant from Duke Energy Water Resources Fund will provide for public access to the New River as part of the City of Jacksonville Riverwalk Marina plan.

The $100,000 grant provides for replacing old dilapidated docks and piers once inaccessible to the public, with several public areas including fishing, picnic and viewing areas, a boardwalk and a kayak and canoe launch. The City purchased the old marina and has been working to provide it as a public space with some areas reserved for rentable boat slips. The Riverwalk Marina is adjacent to the Riverwalk Crossing and LP Willingham parks, both of which were constructed in the former railroad right of way. The two are showcase parks for the City.

The Duke Energy Water Resources Fund grant will provide leverage for public investment in the Riverwalk Marina. Work will begin immediately to advance the public access in the area.

The City was one of fourteen organizations in 27 counties in the Carolinas which received more than $1.1 million. The fund is a multiyear commitment from Duke Energy to help local organizations continue to protect and improve the environment, including waters used year-round, across the Carolinas.

Previously, the Sturgeon City nonprofit received a series of grants that has helped advance environmental education and in creating plans for a boathouse that will also provide for canoes and kayaks at the site nearby on Wilson Bay. City officials have proposed a water-based trail that would connect Surgeon City, the Riverwalk Marina and Jacksonville Landing, as well as points in the future at Northeast Creek Park and aboard Camp Lejeune.

Photo: Susan Baptist, Director of Recreation Services, City of Jacksonville at a grant acceptance ceremony near Charlotte with Mike Hughes, Duke Energy’s vice president of community relations. Baptist is holding a portion of a massive artwork designed to show the river basins of the Carolinas.