Historian David Cecelski: Carolina coast still worth the fight

At Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, the newly enhanced Freedom Trail was unveiled this past spring. This expanded educational experience, featuring artwork by Sonja Griffin Evans, life-sized silhouettes, and new educational signs, helps tell the story of the freedom seekers who risked everything to create a safe haven for themselves and their loved ones on Roanoke Island beginning in 1862. 

This past fall, the new Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Pathway opened for public use! This multiuse pathway connects Route 12 to Old Lighthouse Beach and the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. The final part of this project – expected to be completed this year – is a new family-friendly, accessible restroom and shower facility at the Old Lighthouse Beach access. Recognized as one of the best beaches in the United States for surfing, kitesurfing, windsurfing, fishing and many other watersports, these upgrades were way overdue and thankfully in place by the next time you visit.The more people and businesses who support Outer Banks Forever, the better Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, and Wright Brothers National Memorial can be on a consistent basis. At REAL Watersports, Watermen’s Retreat, and Watermen’s Bar & Grill, the companies I co-founded here on the Outer Banks, we make sure that what we roll out to our customers is better every year than the previous year. And that’s what we want to see happen with our Outer Banks National Parks. Every time a family comes back, we want them to say, “Wow, this wasn’t here two years ago when we were here. This is awesome!”

Outer Banks Forever can – and does – make that happen with the help of people like you and businesses like yours.

As we begin a new year of work together, we’re also seeking our next passionate Director to lead us in our mission to protect and enhance our Outer Banks National Parks. We will be forever grateful to Jessica Barnes, our founding Director, for her incredible leadership these past six years. Until our next director is hired, feel free to reach out to Nicole Erickson, our Interim Director & Development Manager with any questions or needs you have. I am confident that Outer Banks Forever is in great hands with our whole team – Nicole, Rachael Graf, and our dedicated Advisory Board who bring with them an incredible and varied list of talents and backgrounds.

We have an exciting year ahead full of new opportunities! We look forward to partnering with you and updating you often on the important work we do together. 
 

Sincerely,
 

Trip Forman
Co-Founder, REAL Watersports, Watermen’s Retreat, Watermen’s Bar & Grill
President, Outer Banks Forever Advisory Board