Wilmington is getting a helping hand on its Greenfield Park Lions Bridge replacement project in the form of a chunk of state money.
The city is replacing Lions Bridge, a 210-foot structure built in the 1960s. Damaged by fire in October 2024 and demolished in early 2025 after it was found to be structurally unsound, the wooden bridge connected two areas of Greenfield Park near East Lake Shore Drive.
It is listed by the city as a $1.1 million project that is to reconnect separated sections of the park and restore pedestrian and bicycle connectivity around Greenfield Lake’s loop trail network.
$450,000 award from state
Wilmington will be awarded $450,000 to go toward the project, the North Carolina Department of Natural & Cultural Resources announced Sept. 22.
The money is
part of nearly $4 million that is going to nine local parks and recreation projects across the state as part of the Land and Water Conservation Fund program. This year local communities could apply for up to $500,000 per project with a required dollar-for-dollar match.
Previously, the city was awarded a $500,000 matching grant from the Great Trails State Program for the project.
“Local parks are a keystone in conserving green spaces and providing communities nearby with access to outdoor recreation,” Department of Natural Resources & Cultural Resources Secretary Pamela Cashwell said in a news release announcing the $450,000 award. “Their work complements the conservation, education, and recreation we provide across our state parks and other DNCR sites — creating plenty of options for North Carolina’s residents and visitors to enjoy.”
Public input sought
Meanwhile, the city is in the public engagement phase of the project, taking community input on the selection of aesthetic elements such as the bridge’s appearance, decking materials, railings, layout and potentially the landings areas.
The first pop-up engagement event is scheduled for Sept. 27 from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. at 1941 Amphitheater Drive.
An Oct. 9 event is set for 6-8 p.m. at 1101 Manley Ave. A community questionnaire is also available online at wilmingtonnc.gov. Public engagement will continue through Oct. 31.
The replacement bridge will be larger and Americans With Disabilities Act-compliant, according to the city.
The city anticipates advertising for construction bids by this coming winter, beginning construction in the spring of 2028 and completing construction by late 2028.
Bob Liepa is the city of Wilmington and public safety reporter for the StarNews. You can reach him at RLiepa@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Wilmington lands state funds to rebuild park bridge
