River Dunes Testimonials

Read testimonials from our development partners and property owners.

Jim Strickland, President of Historical Concepts

Anytime you have a canvas like this to be able to create and do things on.... it's just magical!

Bill Lincicome, Highgrove Parnter Landscape architecture

An important founding principle of this development team was sustainability. We knew we were in a special place. The commitment to preserving the environmentally sensitive areas, the estuary areas, and the marshes has been a total commitment. We have over 400 acres of areas that will be in conservation. We are reintroducing native marsh grasses, indigenous trees, and the woody plants that are so important for diversity of habitat. What is unusual is that the implementation of this project has been absolutely consistent with those founding philosophies and principles.

Bill Holman, Former Executive director of the N.C. Clean Water Management Trust Fund

The River Dunes project is an example of how developers can build attractive waterfront communities that protect water quality and are profitable. We saw a great opportunity to work with a developer and two conservation organizations to create an environmentally sensitive community at River Dunes.

Steve and Diane Dumbauld (Cincinnati, OH - Property Owners)

A few years ago, we began to plan for our retirement. We planned to move to the mid to southern East Coast, for a better climate and to pursue our sailing adventures. We kept coming back to eastern NC, and particularly the Neuse River basin. On one of our trips to look at property in the New Bern area, we heard about River Dunes. On short notice, we arranged to meet Kim Venters, and he took us there on our first visit late one afternoon in early 2006. The only structures present at that time were the marina basin, and some of the roads. Nonetheless, Kim, and later Sherwood Crawford, shared the vision of River Dunes with us. As our interest level increased, we carefully looked at the property and the infrastructure development. The attractions to ‘buy into’ this vision included the attention to detail, the stewardship of the land, the desire to protect the coastal landscape, and the wonderful opportunities to sail the Pamlico Sound, or to anywhere in the world. It was obvious to us that this was the ‘real deal,’ and we decided to move ahead with our lot purchase. The home building process has been very detail oriented and methodical, which we believe is a reflection of this stewardship. We have come to appreciate that the final ‘product’ will be well worth it! The people entrusted with the River Dunes’ development make this fun. The type of attention to our project is unsurpassed in our experience. We have made wonderful new friends. With our sailboat in Grace Harbor and our home taking shape, we believe we could not have made a better decision. For folks looking for a vacation or retirement home, and what they now see at River Dunes, the decision to join seems obvious!

John Fillipini and Priscilla Moore (Fairfax, VA-Property Owners)

You-all see the beauty of the area every day, but we city-types only get to see it through your pictures when we're not there. So the pictures are a great way to re-live the brief times we've been able to spend there, and help remind us why we're working so hard to get there permanently some day. John and Priscilla

Bill and Susan Forgione (Charlotte, NC - Property Owners)

We came across River Dunes several years ago, actually, when we were taking our boat down from New York to Charleston and came across Oriental,NC trying to avoid some bad weather, stayed a few days, found out about the Carolina coast and all the sailing grounds around Oriental, NC. Fell in love with this area and when we took a cab back to New Bern,NC Airport the cabdriver said, "Beware that in a few years time there's a new development coming." It was called Gum Thicket.

We didn't think much of it at the time, but when we came back about a year or two later and saw the vision that Ed Mitchell and his partners had for this place it was really extraordinary. And we're very fortunate to have an opportunity to be one of the early property owners and to really see this vision come to life. So, in every way Ed and his team have exceeded our expectations. So we are really, really pleased, and honored and it's a privilege to be a part of this community.

I'm Sue Forgione and to continue on what my husband was just saying, the team at River Dunes makes us feel most welcome and always wants us to be a part of the community and join in all the festivities.

They welcome us with food and friendship every time we come and I think that's the atmosphere that they are trying to create and certainly have done so with even the few members that we already have. Looking forward to it growing and growing with it and bringing our family to enjoy all of the happiness and health that seems to be around here already.

"It's a great area for us, a real central point on the ICW along the Pamlico soung for starting off on cruising adventures along the coast, and the people there are all so friendly. They go out of their way to make you feel a part of the community."

Matt Emmens and Lois Veeder (Malvern, PA -Property Owners)

We bought a house in River Dunes about three months ago and we had looked pretty extensively in Eastern North Carolina. “Once we had spent a day at River Dunes, exploring the natural settings as well as the sense of community afforded by the Grace Harbor community with its period architecture, we were hooked. The master plan is impressive, but what is creating the magic is the attention to detail – the little things like the chapel, the gas lights, and neighborhoods where you can get to know your neighbors”

We are boat people and it is rare to find a place that has both peace and deep water. You get a feeling about places if you just spend some time walking around and this was a place that felt far away but yet it had a community feel to it.

The air is clean, the water is inviting, and there are a lot of other people around that like boats. I've lived in 19 places, in the last 30 years including Europe, pretty much all over the US. I was born in California, but somehow this feels like I have come home.

Steve and Heidi Benjamin (Norwalk, CT - Property Owners)

We had been searching for a waterfront boating oriented community in the mid-Atlantic for several years. Somewhere within driving range of Connecticut in twelve hours or less. We finally found it at River Dunes in Oriental during February 2006. At that time it took a lot of vision to foresee what River Dunes is becoming now. Never the less, the sales team did a superb job and found us the perfect lot for our requirements. We also have a dock slip in the new marina and are in the process of purchasing a boat or boats to put in it. It won't be long until we are really enjoying the River Dunes community!

Alison Thomas, Coastal Living - Director of Homes and Real Estate

The balance this community has created between the environment and the ability to enjoy all aspects of Coastal Living; from boating to fishing to kayaking and still being able to come home to the community that River Dunes provides is truly unique.

Lt. Govornor of North Carolina Beverly Perdue

"The partnership between economic development and environmental impact is gracefully achieved at River Dunes. It is a model of cooperation between private developers, investors, and local and state governments."

Mark Harakal, President of Hatteras Yachts

“River Dunes is a world-class community and Hatteras Yachts is the leading manufacturer of world-class motoryachts and sportfishing vessels. This is the first time Hatteras has associated our name with another company. It makes sense that we should work together to provide a unique boating experience to all who pass through the area."

Sharon Hopkins

"Nothing like sitting in a swing, as I first met my husband and came to visit his parents, on the swing in their big porch. So many people have forgotten what it means to relax and enjoy life in such a moment of peace and relaxation. That was in l969. Our visit reminded me of that day... walking down to the landing, water-skiing for the first time, eating salt-water fish, and getting our first tiny boat. You have it there at River Dunes and we wish you the best, as you are bringing back a retrospect of Carolina's true beauty, our waters and our friendship.".

Bill and Tammy Simon (Bentonville, AK - Property Owners)

For many years we moved around the country for my job. We always promised that we would find a piece of waterfront property back in NC to build on. We looked for a long time at many different areas and were disappointed by the lack of available waterfront land and the level and quality of the developments. However, when we saw River Dunes, we immediately knew we were home. It is rare to find a piece of the coast that has not been over built. River Dunes is on one of the most spectacular pieces of coastal land that I have ever seen. What impressed us most was the care taken by the developers to make sure that the land would remain pristine, despite the development.

We found the most perfect lot, on the most perfect cove and have designed and built the most perfect home. Just the pictures of the progress give us both joy. And I have to say, that reality is even better than we had imagined. The Marina, Harbor Club and homes built to date have exceeded our wildest dreams.

Needless to say, we are thrilled with our new property. Everyone at River Dunes has been wonderful to work with. Our builder, Preservation Homes, is one of the most professional builders I have seen anywhere in the country. With the care, attention to every detail and excitement he has shown for the project, you would think he was building his own home.

But special mention has to go to you both. You have been incredible. Your support and friendship during the process has made a world of difference. We both feel as if we have made our first of many good friends at River Dunes. We are looking forward to being your neighbors.

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