BUXTON, NC – Outer Banks Forever, the official nonprofit partner of the three Outer Banks national parks, and Cape Hatteras National Seashore (Seashore) hosted a joint ribbon cutting ceremony today, Thursday, June 12, at 10 a.m. to officially celebrate the opening of the new Cape Hatteras Lighthouse multiuse pathway in Buxton, North Carolina.
“I love where I live and consider it a true privilege to live within a national park,” said Trip Forman, Cofounder of REAL Watersports and President of Outer Banks Forever’s Advisory Board.
“There’s nowhere else in the world quite like the Outer Banks. The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse has been one of my favorite places to be in the water since I moved here in 1991. The pathway has been a long time coming and well deserved for a location that’s known around the world.”
The new 1.25-mile-long, 10-12-foot-wide, accessible concrete pathway stretches from Lighthouse Road to Old Lighthouse Beach to the grounds of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. Along the pathway, people can learn about and follow the history of the 1999 lighthouse move through engaging exhibits and educational signage, as well as learn about the unique ecology of the Seashore and its distinction as a top watersports destination in the United States.
The event included remarks from David Hallac, Superintendent of the National Parks of Eastern North Carolina; Bryan Burhans, Director of Outer Banks Forever; Trip Forman, Cofounder of REAL Watersports and President of Outer Banks Forever’s Advisory Board; Laura Ertle, Director of Public Relations and Marketing for Cape Hatteras Electric Cooperative; Lee Nettles, Executive Director of the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau; and Marilyn Bray, a major donor to Outer Banks Forever.
“My memories of this area go back to the 1960s when my parents brought our family to Hatteras. I remember heading out in the early morning exploring the beach, watching fisherman unload their catch and meeting the local people,” Bray said. “This is truly a special place, and the national parks on the Outer Banks are not only an important part of the community, but these special parks also inspire others and enrich our time on the Outer Banks. I am so happy to support this project so others can fall in love with this extraordinary place, like I did.”
Outer Banks Forever kicked off the fundraising campaign for the project in the fall of 2022, and a groundbreaking ceremony took place on Nov. 15, 2023. The pathway was funded by Outer Banks Forever donors, a Tourism Impact Grant from the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau and grants from the Federal Highways Administration.
“The Dare County Tourism Board is proud to lend its support to this important pathway project,” said Nettles. “Dare County tourism is a $2.15 billion industry representing 46% of the jobs within our county, but visitor spending also provides funding for the Tourism Board’s grant programs. Tourism grants, over the years, have reinvested approximately $25 million into our local community, helping to fund pathways, sidewalks and boardwalks throughout the County. The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Pathway project is an example of how tourism can improve safety and the quality of life for both visitors and residents.”
Since the pathway quietly opened to the community in the fall of 2024, hundreds of parkgoers have been using it for walking, biking, strolling, dog walking, and more, now safely separated from traffic.
“One of Cape Hatteras Electric Cooperative’s founding principles is ‘Concern of Community,’ and it has always been our mission to improve the lives of those who live on Hatteras Island,” said Ertle. “This project speaks directly to that mission, and we have been happy to partner with the National Park Service and Outer Banks Forever in support of the pathway.”
Outer Banks Forever and the Seashore are currently working together for the creation and installation of an accessible restroom and shower facility at the Old Lighthouse Beach Access, with a target completion date of early 2026.
“We are so grateful to everyone who helped make this project a reality,” said Burhans. “This pathway is a huge asset for our community, and we look forward to bringing even more amenities to this iconic section of this incredibly beautiful national park.”
Outer Banks Forever would like to especially thank these lead Diamond Shoals Sponsors ($25,000+) for their support of the new Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Pathway:
Marilyn Bray
Cape Hatteras Electric Cooperative
The Outer Banks Visitors Bureau
REAL Watersports