If you live in Scotts Hill, Hampstead, Porters Neck, or anywhere along the U.S. 17 corridor near the New Hanover and Pender county line, there’s a good chance you already know Abbey Nature Preserve. It’s one of those quiet local spots that people find once and then keep coming back to: sandy trails under tall pines, an old millpond lined with cypress, and a wooden walkway across the water. This fall, the preserve took a real step toward becoming a full neighborhood park, and that matters for the homeowners and buyers around it. Here’s what’s happening and what it could mean for you.
What’s new at Abbey Nature Preserve
On Sept. 3, 2026, the Governor’s office announced nearly $10 million in Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) grants across North Carolina. Pender County’s Abbey Nature Preserve Trailhead was on the list, with a $500,000 grant and a matching $500,000 local share, according to the N.C. State Parks list of PARTF awards. PARTF grants are dollar-for-dollar matches, so the state money has to be paired with county funds.
The next step came at the Pender County Board of Commissioners meeting on Oct. 19, 2026, where accepting the grant and the related budget amendment was on the agenda alongside several larger growth decisions. Per Pender County’s project page, the commissioners were set to vote on the grant funds at that meeting.
What the trailhead will include
According to Pender County, the new trailhead will be built on a 7.59-acre parcel at 90 Heart Pine Avenue that was donated to the county. It’s meant to be a permanent public gateway to the 62-acre conservation easement known as Abbey Nature Preserve. The county’s plans call for:
- A picnic shelter with restrooms
- A playground
- A wildflower meadow
- On-site parking
- A connector trail leading directly into the preserve
- Extensive native landscaping to ease the transition into the natural area
The county held an on-site public input session on March 19, 2026, and a pop-up session nearby on March 25, so the design reflects feedback from people who already use the preserve. The project also fits the county’s 2022 Comprehensive Parks and Recreation Master Plan.
A little background on the preserve
Abbey Nature Preserve sits off Scotts Hill Loop Road, just north of the county line. WWAY reported that the preserve covers 62 acres with about 1.5 miles of sandy nature trails, a dam, and a millpond, and that it’s held under two conservation easements through the North Carolina Coastal Land Trust. When development on an adjacent property forced a temporary closure, the county reopened the preserve with a new entrance and a gravel lot at 1035 Scotts Hill Loop Road.
The history runs deep, too. Poplar Grove Historic House & Museum notes that Scotts Hill Creek was dammed roughly 150 years ago to form a pond of about 10 acres that once powered millstones, and that the creek flows on toward Foy Creek and Futch Creek. Today the main draw is simply a peaceful walk: old cypress around the pond, dry pine ridges, and good bird watching.
Right now, the preserve is a no-frills spot. Trail guides list free parking but no restrooms, which is exactly the gap the new trailhead is designed to fill.
What this means for homeowners
A real neighborhood park, close to home
The Scotts Hill and southern Hampstead area has grown quickly, and much of that growth has been subdivisions without a lot of public green space nearby. A trailhead with a playground, restrooms, and a picnic shelter turns a hidden trail into a place families can actually spend an afternoon. For nearby homeowners, that’s a quality-of-life upgrade.
Protected land next door
The preserve itself is under conservation easements, which generally means it’s set aside from development. For homes near it, that’s one of the more reassuring things a neighbor can be. That said, not every wooded parcel in the area is protected. Poplar Grove notes that a separate 65-acre tract next to the museum was sold to a homebuilder and isn’t under an easement. If you’re buying near any patch of woods, don’t assume it will stay wooded.
Will it affect home values?
We won’t put a number on it, and anyone who does is guessing. Buyers in our market consistently tell us that trails, parks, and natural space are high on their wish lists, so being close to a well-kept public park is generally a plus. Traffic and parking near the new entrance are worth watching once the trailhead opens, especially for homes right along the access route.
What this means for buyers
If you’re looking at Hampstead, Scotts Hill, or the Porters Neck side of the line, here are a few practical points:
- Know which county you’re in. The preserve has a Wilmington mailing address but sits in Pender County. Property taxes, schools, and permitting differ across the line, so confirm the county for any home you’re considering.
- Check flood maps near the creek. The preserve’s bottomlands lie in the floodplain along Scotts Hill Creek. Homes on higher ground nearby may be fine, but always check the FEMA flood zone and ask about insurance before you make an offer.
- Look at what’s planned nearby. Pender County approved several large projects this fall, so it pays to review recent rezonings around any home you’re serious about.
- Timeline matters. Grant-funded parks take time to design, bid, and build. Treat the trailhead as a future amenity, not something you’ll use next month.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Abbey Nature Preserve?
It’s off Scotts Hill Loop Road in Pender County, near the New Hanover County line. The current entrance and parking lot are at 1035 Scotts Hill Loop Road, and the new trailhead is planned at 90 Heart Pine Avenue.
Is the preserve open now?
Yes. Pender County Parks and Recreation lists a nature trail, overlook deck, and gravel parking lot. Check the county’s parks page before you go for any temporary changes.
How is the trailhead being paid for?
Through a $500,000 state PARTF grant matched by $500,000 in local funds, according to N.C. State Parks.
When will the new trailhead open?
The county hasn’t published an opening date that we could find. We’ll share updates as the project moves forward.
Thinking about a home near Scotts Hill or Hampstead?
Parks, trails, and protected land are part of what makes this corner of Pender County special, but every street and subdivision is different. We can help you sort out flood zones, county lines, and what’s planned nearby before you buy, or help you highlight local amenities like this one when it’s time to sell. Talk with Aspyre Collective about buying or selling in Hampstead and Scotts Hill.
