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Ordinance Making a Supplemental Appropriation in the Amount of $1,837 to the Special Purpose Fund for the River to Sea Bike Ride and Brunswick Heritage Riverside Bike Ride
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Department: |
WMPO |
Meeting Date: |
7/21/2026 |
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Contact Name: |
Carolyn Caggia |
Public Hearing: |
No |
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Contact Phone: |
910-341-4661 |
Advertising Date/Advertised By: |
N/A |
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Attachments: |
Attachment #1: Ordinance |
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this ordinance is to appropriate funds totaling $1,837 to the Wilmington Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (“WMPO”) BikePed Committee Special Purpose Fund [1CRPL9586] for the annual River to Sea Bike Ride and the Brunswick Heritage Riverside Ride.
BACKGROUND:
The River to Sea Bike Ride is hosted by the WMPO, the City of Wilmington, the Town of Wrightsville Beach, and New Hanover County. The ride is a casual, slow-paced 20-mile round trip from downtown Wilmington along the former Beach Car Line to Wrightsville Beach and back. Each year, nearly 400 participants of all ages attend. While this year’s ride, scheduled for Saturday, May 2, 2026, was canceled due to inclement weather, sponsorships were collected, and merchandise for the ride was sold at the River to Sea Bike Ride’s first Expo event held at Empie Park on Friday, May 1, 2026.
The Brunswick Heritage Riverside Ride is organized by the WMPO, the towns of Leland, Belville, Navassa, and Brunswick County. This ride offers a casual-paced 16-mile bike route along northern Brunswick County’s Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor, starting from Phoenix Park in Navassa and heading to Belville Riverwalk Park and back. In recent years, about 120 participants of all ages have attended on average.
The funds will be used to cover costs for future year River to Sea and Brunswick Heritage Riverside Bike Rides, including printing for event merchandise, obtaining necessary insurance coverage, providing port-a-potties for participants, printing bikeway maps, and acquiring miscellaneous supplies.
budget
BUDGET IMPACT:
The funding source is the sale of 2026 River to Sea Bike Ride merchandise and sponsorships.
recommendation
RECOMMENDATION / ACTION REQUESTED:
Passage of the ordinance is recommended.