FORT MACON'S COASTAL EDUCATION CENTER

VisCtr


The North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation has now been funded to build a Coastal Education Center at Fort Macon State Park.  The center includes 19,600 square feet of interior space and 3,900 square feet of covered porches at the public entrances.  This project also includes the addition of 100 parking spaces for visitors.  The existing park office has no room for public contact, exhibits, workshops, storage; nor does it meet ADA guidelines.  At the same time, with approximately 1.3 million visitors annually, Fort Macon is one of the most heavily visited state parks in the system.  The Coastal Education Visitor Center will serve multiple functions for this staggering number of visitors.  While there will be emphasis on coastal education, this center will also be a primary origination point for these visitors.  Exhibit spaces to portray coastal processes and fort history will be provided- along with a conference room to conduct workshops.  The existing book store will be relocated from the fort to the expanded facilities in the center.  The building will also house the park operations offices- along with a library and exhibits' storage.  Covered porches at the public entrances will help provide shelter from inclement weather as well as the heat of the summer.

Last updated January 23, 2006