For more than a century, the Carolina Beach Boardwalk has been a badge of pride for the town. Now, renovations and upgrades represent a turning point in its lengthy history, and a chance for it to continue to serve residents and visitors alike for years down the road. A $1 million project, funded largely by grants, is giving the boardwalk wider paths, lighting, ADA accessible access points, gazebos, benches, swinging seats, new landscaping and more. The improvements are broken into three pieces: the wooden boardwalk, the concrete boardwalk and the road improvements. The town hosted a kickoff grand-opening ceremony yesterday (Tuesday) at the boardwalk to show off its new features.