By Erin Smith
A favorite place for many Bladen County residents, Tory Hole Park did not escape the wrath of Hurricane Florence. Town Manager Eddie Madden said the town staff and FEMA were able to inspect the park on Thursday for the first time since the storm.
“The reason is the river has been so high we were not able to access it safely until yesterday,” said Madden.
He added the town has kept the park closed to the public mainly due to work being performed by NC DOT crews to remove a log jam beneath the US 701 bridge.
He estimated the damages to the park to be about $30,000. The damages include debris removal, repairs to the restroom facility, the fishing piers were damaged and the boardwalk was also damaged.
Madden said town staff are completing the work to the restroom facilities. The town has worked out an agreement with NC DOT to grind any debris the town staff removes from the park. He estimated repairs to the Tory Hole Park will take about three weeks to complete and estimated the park will re-open to the public by mid-May.
About Author
