title
Ordinance Making Supplemental Appropriation in the Amount of $500,000 for the Great Trails State Grant Award for the Replacement of Lions Bridge in Greenfield Park
body
Department:
Parks & Recreation
Meeting Date:
5/19/2026
Contact Name:
Sally Thigpen
Public Hearing:
No
Contact Phone:
910-765-0593
Advertising Date/Advertised By:
Attachments:
Attachment #1: Ordinance
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this resolution is to authorize the City Manager to accept the Great Trails State ("GTS") grant award to support the Phase I replacement of Lions Bridge in Greenfield Park in the amount of $500,000, with a City match of $592,110, funded in the Capital Improvement Fund.
BACKGROUND:
Greenfield Park is a 250-acre park only one mile from the heart of historic downtown Wilmington, NC, and encompasses the 90-acre Greenfield Lake, forested land, a 5-mile loop trail, playgrounds, picnic shelters, a paddleboat marina, passive recreation areas, and the beloved Hugh Morton Amphitheater. Established in 1925 and designated a Local Historic Landmark, Greenfield Park has aging infrastructure and was identified in the 2016 Parks Bond for investment in the loop trails, boardwalks and bridges, and repairs to the gardens. The Greenfield Park Master Plan identified Lions Bridge and other wooden structures that require refurbishment or replacement due to deterioration.
A November 2023 report by a third-party engineering firm evaluated the wooden bridges, boardwalks, and docks throughout the park. It identified the largest bridge, Lions Bridge, as an immediate safety hazard. The bridge was closed to the public and demolished in early 2025. Lions Bridge was the only structure that crossed the lake, providing additional access to the trail system, gardens, and amenities. It did not meet ADA accessibility standards.
In July 2025, the City was awarded the GTS grant administered by the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, contingent on an environmental review. The env...
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