The Town of Duck is proud to share the completion of a major shoreline stabilization project at Duck Town Park. This project was designed to enhance the resilience of the 11-acre Duck Town Hall and Town Park property along the Currituck Sound. This important project includes the installation of shoreline stabilization measures such as near-shore wooden sills and a stone revetment to reduce erosion, protect public facilities, and preserve valuable coastal wetlands. In addition to safeguarding vital community spaces and infrastructure from future storms and flooding, the project will promote natural shoreline stabilization methods and serve as a model for similar efforts throughout the region.
After multiple design iterations and permitting challenges related to subaquatic vegetation, the Town remained committed to protecting this valued community space. The final project features 10 vertical vinyl sills (not bulkheads) designed to dissipate wave energy while allowing water and sediment to move naturally, helping preserve the surrounding shoreline and habitat.
This project reflects the Town Council’s 2032 Vision, demonstrating forward-thinking leadership focused on sustainability, environmental stewardship, and preserving opportunities for residents and visitors to enjoy Duck’s soundside and natural resources.
Watch the video below to learn more about this project from Planning and Pemrits Manager Sandy Cross.
The Town of Duck has designed a shoreline protection project that will improve the resiliency of the 11-acre Duck Town Hall/Town Park property. The project will involve the installation of shoreline protection measures and stabilization of coastal wetlands along the Currituck Sound. These features will protect the Town Hall, Town Park, and other public facilities from damage due to erosion and storms, promote natural methods of shoreline stabilization, and serve as a model project for other public and private shoreline stabilization efforts in the future.
Specifically, the project will entail the construction of near-shore vertical wooden sills totaling over 770 linear feet. These sills are intended to dissipate the wave energy that has damaged and eroded the coastal wetlands located along the Currituck Sound shoreline. Additionally, a 130 linear foot of a stone revetment will be constructed to stabilize the shoreline at the southern end of the project.
Coastal wetlands along the western shoreline of the Duck Town Park/Town Hall property are a very important feature that offer protection to the shoreline, help improve water quality through filtration, and provide important wildlife habitat.
The Duck Town Park/Town Hall property contains millions of dollars in public investment and facilities including the town hall, public meeting hall, maintenance building, amphitheater, gazebo/stage, playground equipment, and enclosed storage areas. These facilities serve everyday needs for Town residents and property owners as well as the recreational/entertainment interests of thousands of visitors to the community. Needless to say, protection of these facilities from soundside flooding is of great importance to the Duck community.
Clearly visible on aerial maps over time, the Town of Duck has experienced a great deal of erosion of coastal marsh grasses along its soundfront shoreline since 1998. While much of the erosion adjoining the Duck Town Park has occurred gradually over the past two decades, some of the erosion has resulted from flooding during significant storm events including Hurricane Irene in 2011, Hurricane Matthew in 2016, and Tropical Storm Michael in 2018. This erosion has left Town facilities more vulnerable to damage from flooding during future storms.
In addition to meeting the community’s physical needs, the Town of Duck sees this project as an opportunity to become a more resilient community, consistent with a series of recent plans adopted by the Town (vulnerability assessment, resiliency study, Hazard Mitigation Plan, Comprehensive & Land Use Plan, Vision 2032, etc.). These planning and visioning efforts included extensive involvement of community leaders and public input concerning the design, character, function, and sustainability of Duck in the future.
The Town contracted with planning/engineering firm Vanasse Hangen Brustlin (VHB) to design the project, conduct the bid process, and oversee the construction of the shoreline protection improvements. Town Council approved final funding as part of the FY2025-26 budget. The bid process was completed in fall 2025 and a contract was awarded to D&B BUlkheads at the September Mid- Month Council Meeting. Construction is expected to begin mid- October with a completion date by April 2026.
The estimated cost is $565,000 for the remaining project management and construction, however the project contract was awarded at $499,777.00. The Town pursued funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, N.C. Department of Environmental Quality, and N.C. Division of Coastal Management to help defray the cost of the project but was unsuccessful in obtaining matching grants.
The project has been designed and permitted by the necessary State agencies. The project was funded as part of the FY2025-26 budget, was put to bid with a contract awarded in September 2025. Construction will begin mid- October 2025 with an expected completion date of April 2026.
Questions about the Town Park Shoreline Protection Project can be directed to Assistant TOwn Manager Connor Winstead at cwinstead@ducknc.gov or Planning and Permits Manager Sandy Cross at scross@ducknc.gov.
