G.S. ch. 160A, art. 18

in effect

G.S. 160A-350 Short title.

§ 160A-350. Short title. This Article shall be known and may be cited as the "Recreation Enabling Law." (1945, c. 1052; 1971, c. 698, s. 1.)

G.S. 160A-351 Declaration of State policy.

§ 160A-351. Declaration of State policy. The lack of adequate recreational programs and facilities is a menace to the morals, happiness, and welfare of the people of this State. Making available recreational opportunities for citizens of all ages is a subject of general interest and concern, and a function requiring appropriate action by both State and local government. The General Assembly therefore declares that the public good and the general welfare of the citizens of this State require adequate recreation programs, that the creation, establishment, and operation of parks and recreation programs is a proper governmental function, and that it is the policy of North Carolina to forever encourage, foster, and provide these facilities and programs for all its citizens. (1945, c. 1052; 1971, c. 698, s. 1.)

G.S. 160A-352 Recreation defined.

§ 160A-352. Recreation defined. "Recreation" means activities that are diversionary in character and aid in promoting entertainment, pleasure, relaxation, instruction, and other physical, mental, and cultural development and leisure time experiences. (1945, c. 1052; 1971, c. 698, s. 1.)

G.S. 160A-353 Powers.

§ 160A-353. Powers. In addition to any other powers it may possess to provide for the general welfare of its citizens, each county and city in this State shall have authority to: (1) Establish and conduct a system of supervised recreation; (2) Set apart lands and buildings for parks, playgrounds, recreational centers, and other recreational programs and facilities; (3) Acquire real property, either within or without the corporate limits of the city or the boundaries of the county, including water and air rights, for parks and recreation programs and facilities by gift, grant, purchase, lease, exercise of the power of eminent domain, or any other lawful method. (4) Provide, acquire, construct, equip, operate, and maintain parks, playgrounds, recreation centers, and recreation facilities, including all buildings, structures, and equipment necessary or useful in connection therewith; (5) Appropriate funds to carry out the provisions of this Article; (6) Accept any gift, grant, lease, loan, or devise of real or personal property for parks and recreation programs. Devises and gifts may be accepted and held subject to such terms and conditions as may be imposed by the grantor or trustor, except that no county or city may accept or administer any terms that require it to discriminate among its citizens on the basis of race, sex, or religion. (1945, c. 1052; 1971, c. 698, s. 1; 1973, c. 426, s. 55; 2011-284, s. 115.)

G.S. 160A-354 Administration of parks and recreation programs.

§ 160A-354. Administration of parks and recreation programs. A city or county may operate a parks and recreation system as a line department, or it may create a parks and recreation commission and vest in it authority to operate the parks and recreation system. (1945, c. 1052; 1971, c. 698, s. 1.)

G.S. 160A-355 Joint parks and recreation systems.

§ 160A-355. Joint parks and recreation systems. Any two or more units of local government may cooperate in establishing parks and recreation systems as authorized in Article 20, Part 1, of this Chapter. (1945, c. 1052; 1967, c. 1228; 1971, c. 698, s. 1.)

G.S. 160A-356 Financing parks and recreation.

§ 160A-356. Financing parks and recreation. Each county and city is authorized to expend for its parks and recreation system any of its revenues not otherwise limited as to use by law. (1945, c. 1052; 1971, c. 698, s. 1; 1975, c. 664, s. 12.)

G.S. 160A-358 Reserved for future codification purposes.

G.S. 160A-359 Reserved for future codification purposes.

Source: North Carolina General Assembly (ncleg.gov)URL: https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/ByChapter/Chapter_160A.htmlFetched: 10/19/2026