Celebrating Our Sand Dunes with Jockey’s Ridge State Park 50th Anniversary
Hang gliding at Jockey’s Ridge. Photo courtesy of Biff Jennings.
By Maggie McNinch
“We have this huge ecological playground that we have access to every day,” said Debo Cox, who was superintendent of Jockey’s Ridge State Park from 2009 to 2016. “We should value it for the beautiful and natural area it is and feel grateful that we have it in our backyard still.”
A weekend of celebration made clear that Cox isn’t the only one who feels this way. Thanks to the determined and consistent efforts of countless individuals, millions of others have come to love and appreciate the park.
It all started when Carolista Baum stood in front of a bulldozer on August 15, 1973, and did not move until the driver left. After co-founding the group People to Preserve Jockey’s Ridge, she and others tirelessly worked to “save our sand dunes,” lobbying public officials and raising funds for the creation of the park. In 1975, their efforts paid off, and Jockey’s Ridge State Park was officially added to the North Carolina state park system.
Jockey’s Ridge 50th anniversary drone show over the dunes by Sky Elements. Photo courtesy of Biff Jennings.
Today, the park is consistently enjoyed by more than one million annual visitors, making it the most visited state park in North Carolina.
June 5–8, 2025, marked the 50th anniversary of Jockey’s Ridge, and the historic moment was celebrated with four days packed full of fun, learning, and commemoration. The events of the anniversary weekend hosted thousands of people from all over the world.
State park staff worked with The Friends of Jockey’s Ridge (FOJR), a nonprofit organization that’s mission is to support, enhance, and promote Jockey’s Ridge State Park as a significant geologic feature on the Outer Banks, to plan the 50th anniversary celebration.
L-R- FOJR Board Member and former Jockey’s Ridge Superintendent George Barnes, former Jockey’s Ridge Superintendent Debo Cox, NC Governor Josh Stein, and current Jockey’s Ridge State Park Superintendent Joy Cook. Photo courtesy of Biff Jennings.
“We really wanted to do something memorable to celebrate this important milestone of 50 years with some unique programs and special events,” said Jockey’s Ridge State Park Superintendent Joy Cook. “We also wanted to recognize the hard work and dedication so many people have given to ensure Jockey’s Ridge would be here for future generations to enjoy.”
Months of hard work and planning culminated in a series of unique and unprecedented events, from The Connells’ concert on the sand dunes, to an invitational art exhibit called Art From The Edge, to an outstanding drone show over the dunes by Sky Elements. Outside of these keystone events, there were also numerous free recreational and educational activities for residents and visitors to participate in during the anniversary festivities.
The Connells’ concert on the sand dunes during the 50th anniversary weekend celebration. Photo courtesy of Biff Jennings.
Kicking off the weekend was the Jockey’s Ridge Homecoming Dinner, which honored former and current park staff. Friends of Jockey’s Ridge Vice Chair and daughter of Carolista Baum, Ann-Cabell Baum, presented awards and expressed gratitude for the continued hard work of the community to preserve the sand dunes.
The Outer Banks Community Foundation was among the sponsors of the anniversary weekend, and additionally awarded a Community Enrichment Grant to The Friends of Jockey’s Ridge for a central legacy project of the celebration known as the “Ten Points of Interest Trail.”
A self-guided educational trail showcasing a wide range of park highlights, the project features interpretive signage and audio tours, and is complemented by an online curriculum to provide educational experiences for in-person visitors, remote learners, and school groups.
L-R: Friends of Jockey’s Ridge Executive Director Colette Mainardi, Board Member Bob Muller, and Vice Chair Ann-Cabell Baum. Photo courtesy of Biff Jennings.
“The Friends of Jockey’s Ridge is grateful to the Outer Banks Community Foundation for supporting our efforts for a new trail to enhance the visitor experience and increase awareness of the park’s ecosystem, rich history, and cultural significance,” said Friends of Jockey’s Ridge Executive Director Colette Mainardi. “With this support, we look forward to deepening the educational experience for Jockey’s Ridge visitors and students about this unique landmark. As we celebrate the 50thAnniversary of Jockey’s Ridge State Park in 2025, we are excited about this addition to the visitor experience. The first portion of the trail has been installed, and we hope you will stop by the front of the Visitor Center to visit the new StoryWalk.”
Park staff and FOJR members said this project addresses several important unmet needs around educational resources and accessibility at Jockey’s Ridge, particularly for underserved communities. They said a key theme of the anniversary was to “Leave the park better than we found it,” and are hoping this project is one way to do that.
Some notable stops along the trail include Carolista Baum’s Historic Marker, the Soundside Education Stations, and the Living Shoreline. The Community Foundation’s support in this initiative allows it to invest in a project that promotes tourism, environmental stewardship, and community engagement.
“There is so much more to this place than just a pile of sand,” Cox said. “If you take the time to visit this trail and discover the information that’s available, then perhaps visitors can come to love, appreciate, and understand it like so many others do.”
Art From The Edge exhibit at Jockey’s Ridge State Park. Photo courtesy of Biff Jennings.
FOJR Board Secretary Holly Nettles echoed similar thoughts.
“Anyone who visits Jockey’s Ridge, creative or not, is inspired by something here,” Nettles said. “If you’ve ever walked up the dune in the moonlight or stood on the top at sunset and looked out over the sound and the ocean, you feel like you’re on the edge of this beautiful part of the world.”
Motivated by this vision, Nettles curated a first-of-its-kind invitational art exhibit, called Art From The Edge, that was showcased in a completely packed opening reception on April 17, 2025, and extended until the last day of the anniversary weekend. Twenty well-known local artists highlighted the connection between art, nature, and community with original works inspired by Jockey’s Ridge.
Artwork by Mojo Collins featured in the Art From The Edge exhibit. Photo courtesy of Biff Jennings.
“I was thrilled (along with the park staff and the FOJR Board of Directors) with the quality of the work and the support of all of the artists,” Nettles said. “It was a beautiful show and a true celebration of this beautiful and unique place.”
For a place with such humble beginnings, Jockey’s Ridge State Park has grown to represent many different things for many different people.
“You forget the power that one person can have,” Cox said. “Part of the lesson of Jockey’s Ridge is that a group of dedicated people with a singular vision can literally move mountains, even if they’re made of sand.”
The Outer Banks Community Foundation’s second Community Enrichment Grant application deadline for 2025 is Friday, July 25.
Nonprofits are encouraged to visit the Community Foundation’s website for detailed guidelines, eligibility criteria, and the application portal. Early submissions are encouraged to allow time for review and feedback.
For more information or assistance with the grant application process, visit OBCF.org/grants or contact the staff at 252-423-3003.
About the Outer Banks Community Foundation: The Outer Banks Community Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization committed to fostering philanthropy and supporting local causes. Through its charitable funds and grant programs, the Foundation strives to enrich the quality of life for residents of the Outer Banks.
