Recently, I took a morning off of work to spend time with my son, Luke Jr. We set out to visit multiple parks across Wilmington, enjoying one of those perfect 60-degree days that somehow feels like 75. I left my phone in the truck at each stop – calls could wait. We did it all: swings, slides, climbing, watching the trees sway in the breeze. We sat on a bench overlooking the water, taking in the moment (no small feat for a 2-year-old). At Airlie Gardens, we were lucky enough to spot a bald eagle and a red-tailed hawk.

It was one of the best days I’ve had in years. Simple. Connected. Meaningful.

This day also provided a moment of quiet reflection on my last few years – years that have made me a father and an elected representative of the people of Wilmington. During my tenure as a member of City Council, I have encountered a few recurring topics, topics I’m sure you’re familiar with: parks, green space, tree mitigation, conservation, development, affordable housing, growth, quality of life. As I approach the end of my four-year term, one message from the community resonates above the rest: we want green space.

The solution, however, is not so simple. Wilmington is geographically small, spanning just 52 square miles, and it’s easy to see why so many people want to live here. Our coastal city’s charm and opportunity have created a demand that has outpaced supply, leading to skyrocketing property values and an affordability crisis. Even with efforts to build affordable housing, the relentless demand continues to price many out of the market.

At the same time, this demand – and the dwindling availability of undeveloped land – makes it financially unfeasible for the City, or likely even New Hanover County, to acquire undeveloped property at market rate to preserve as green space, parks or recreational areas. In most communities, this would be the end of the conversation. But Wilmington has a rare and powerful asset: The New Hanover Community Endowment.

This endowment, guided by a board of community leaders and an executive director with a clear mission, offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to preserve land for parks and public use. In my opinion, we are at a critical juncture—perhaps the only one we’ll have—to invest now in future green space.
Here’s how I propose we do it:

1. Identify Strategic Properties: The city and county should work collaboratively to identify parcels of land suitable for parks and recreation. The focus must be on acquiring property at market rate—a non-negotiable point. If we’re unwilling to pay fair market value, private developers will, and these opportunities will disappear.
2. Leveraging the Endowment for Acquisition: Once a property is identified, the city or county should approach the New Hanover Community Endowment with a grant request to fund the purchase. This partnership would allow us to compete in the current real estate market and secure land for public use.
3. Standing Up Programming with Local Government: After acquisition, the responsibility of developing and managing the park would fall to the city or county, as it does with existing public spaces. This ensures continuity in operations and maximizes the endowment’s financial resources for acquisition rather than ongoing costs.

By taking this direct and collaborative approach, we can capitalize on a fleeting opportunity to preserve much-needed green space for future generations. The New Hanover Community Endowment is uniquely positioned to make a transformative impact, and with strategic action, Wilmington can continue to grow while also growing the open spaces that enhance our quality of life.

However, this vision can only be realized if leaders at the city, county and endowment are willing to think boldly, act with urgency, and embrace collaboration. Success will require open communication, shared priorities, and a commitment to a long-term vision that benefits the entire community.

Years from now, I want to take my son – and one day, maybe even his children – back to those same parks, knowing we made the right decisions at the right time. That we didn’t let this opportunity slip away.

The time to act is now. Land is finite, and so is this moment. Let’s seize it – for my children, and yours.

Luke Waddell is a member of the Wilmington City Council and president of Cadence Realty Corp.