Two of Pender County’s quieter communities are about to get something many families notice first when they tour a neighborhood: a place for kids to play. According to the StarNews (Nov. 10, 2026), Pender County will use $350,000 in state funding to build new playgrounds in Long Creek and Maple Hill. Here is what is planned, where things stand, and why it matters if you are buying or already own a home in western or northern Pender.
What Pender County Is Planning
The county received a $350,000 appropriation from the North Carolina General Assembly, and the money will be split to build playgrounds in both communities, the StarNews reported. Long Creek and Maple Hill were both identified as underserved for parks and recreation in the county’s 10-year parks master plan adopted in 2022.
County parks staff held community meetings to gather feedback on what residents want. The two projects are at different stages:
- Long Creek: The playground will be built at Long Creek Community Park, on the former site of the Long Creek-Grady School. Residents voted for a treehouse-themed playground at a September community meeting.
- Maple Hill: Residents chose a school-themed playground, but a site has not yet been identified, county communications manager Brandi Cobb told the StarNews.
County parks director Zach White said no construction timeline has been set for either playground.
A Closer Look at Long Creek Community Park
Long Creek Community Park sits at 23280 N.C. Highway 210 in the Rocky Point area, according to WWAY’s August 2026 report on the county’s public input session. The playground is described as the first major amenity planned for the park.
The StarNews reported that a future site plan for the park also includes restrooms and a shelter, walking trails, basketball courts and wildflower gardens. In August, the county said community input could help guide future planning, including a potential application to the North Carolina Parks and Recreation Trust Fund. Those later phases are plans, not funded projects, so treat them as a direction rather than a promise.
Why Maple Hill Stands Out
Maple Hill, in northeastern Pender County, was the only community outside western Pender identified as underserved in the master plan, according to the StarNews. It is a small, rural community where everyday amenities are spread out. Earlier this fall, residents also lost their local post office, which we covered in our Maple Hill post office update. A new playground will not change the commute to groceries or work, but it is a small, welcome investment in a part of the county that does not see many.
What It Means for Buyers and Homeowners
Parks rarely make or break a home sale on their own, but they shape how a community feels day to day, especially for families with young children. A few things to keep in mind:
- Long Creek and Rocky Point buyers: If you are looking along N.C. 210 for more land and lower density, a community park within a short drive is a real quality-of-life plus. Our Long Creek guide and Rocky Point guide cover the bigger picture on schools, utilities and commuting.
- Maple Hill buyers: Since the site is still undecided, do not assume a playground will be near a particular property. Ask us to watch for the county’s site announcement if it matters to you.
- Sellers: If you are listing near Long Creek Community Park, it is fair to mention the planned playground as a nearby community project, with accurate wording that construction timing has not been set.
- Long-term value: Steady public investment in parks and community spaces is one of the signals that a rural area is being planned for, not just built on.
How to Stay in the Loop
Pender County Parks and Recreation is the best source for updates on design, site selection and construction. You can find park information on the county’s Long Creek Community Park page. Meeting announcements also appear on the county website and in local news coverage.
FAQ: Pender’s New Playgrounds
How much money is going to the playgrounds?
The county received $350,000 from the General Assembly, split between the Long Creek and Maple Hill projects, according to the StarNews.
When will the playgrounds open?
No construction timeline has been set for either playground, according to county parks director Zach White.
Where will the Maple Hill playground go?
A site has not been identified yet. Watch for an announcement from Pender County.
What else could come to Long Creek Community Park?
A future site plan includes restrooms, a shelter, walking trails, basketball courts and wildflower gardens, but those are not funded or scheduled yet.
Exploring Western or Northern Pender?
From Long Creek and Rocky Point to Maple Hill, Burgaw and Atkinson, the rural side of Pender offers room to breathe at a different pace than the coast. Talk with Aspyre Collective about homes and land in these communities, and we will help you weigh the trade-offs.
