A black bear wandered into Statesville's Martin Luther King Jr. Park. Police and wildlife officials advise giving the animal space while officials monitor the sighting.

Mecklenburg County's new 91‑acre Ezell Park opened in Mint Hill with a sprayground, pickleball courts, trails and public art.

A 9-foot alligator wandered through Southport lawns and driveways on Memorial Day before specially trained officers captured and relocated it to a less-populated area.

Six black bears were killed in Buncombe County after repeated home break‑ins tied to food‑conditioned animals. State necropsies found human‑related waste in most of the bears.

Copperheads are turning up near homes across North Carolina as snake season ramps up. Experts and poison control explain when they’re active and how to reduce encounters.

Three Rivers Land Trust is racing to buy up to 4,000 acres around Tuckertown Reservoir to keep shoreline and boat ramps public.

Mecklenburg County is banning grills, campfires and other open flames in county parks starting May 4 as drought and a statewide burn ban raise wildfire risk.

A 12-foot alligator sat peering through a Southport family's storm door Tuesday before wildlife crews captured and relocated it to a safer area.

Mecklenburg County has set aside $9.6M to reshape Bryant Park in West Charlotte with a skatepark, greenway connections and upgrades to historic features.

More than $4 million in state grants will fund 11 western North Carolina parks damaged by Hurricane Helene, supporting repairs from boat launches to ballfields.

Mecklenburg County paid about $10 million for two parcels that add roughly 30 acres to Idlewild Road Park in Matthews, setting up a proposed skatepark and new trail links.

Rangers and partner agencies handled 38 emergency calls in March — including hoists and rope rescues — and officials warn hikers to plan for swollen streams and unstable trails.

York County closed the swim area at Ebenezer Park after an elevated E. coli reading; follow-up tests are expected this week.