Recreation and
Fitness Centers

Craven County Parks and Recreation Department
406 Craven St., New Bern
(252) 636-6606

The Craven County Recreation and Parks Department offers a variety of programs and facilities for citizens of all ages. Activities and events vary according to age, season and interest levels. Youth programs held throughout the year feature baton twirling, karate, tennis, soccer, baseball, girls softball and youth basketball. Youth camp opportunities include summer day camps and environmental education camps. Other special events scheduled for youth are a fishing derby and tennis lessons.

Adults will enjoy such activities as flag football, co-ed softball, road races, tennis lessons and tournaments, golf classes, dog-obedience instruction, senior archery and kayak lessons. The recreation department is also a lead agency for the Neuse River Senior Games, an Olympic-style event for competitors ages 55 and older. The recreation department also sponsors the Craven County Special Olympics for ages 8 and older. Sports include basketball, bowling, aquatics, equestrian events, cycling, track and field, golf and bocce. More than 400 athletes compete and 500 volunteers assist in this program every year.

The department has canoes, kayaks and other sports equipment available to the general public on a rental basis. Picnic shelters and ball fields can be reserved for exclusive use through the recreation department. Rental fees and deposits are required. Since many events and activities vary according to season and available resources, you might want to visit the department to see what's offered when. Office hours are Monday through Friday 8 AM to 5 PM.

New Bern Parks and Recreation Department
Administrative Office, 248 Craven St., New Bern
(252) 639-2901

The New Bern Parks and Recreation Department operates most of its programs from three centers: Stanley White Recreation Center at 901 Chapman Street, (252) 639-2919; West New Bern Recreation Center, 1225 Pine Tree Drive,  (252) 639-2906; and the Community Resource Center, 908 Bloomfield Street, (252) 636-4127. For details about seasonal programs, call the New Bern Parks and Recreation Department and ask for brochures or visit one of the three recreation centers. Each is staffed by a center supervisor, an athletic supervisor and program directors. They will be happy to answer your questions.

Programs include youth lessons in tennis, cheerleading, baton twirling, golf and football. Tee-ball and baseball are offered to youths between the ages of 6 and 12. Babe Ruth baseball is played by youths ages 13 through 18. Girls' softball, soccer, basketball and wrestling also are offered. Adult leagues cover softball, basketball, flag football and volleyball. For tennis lovers, the department operates four public courts, all of which are lighted for night play. Other classes for all ages include ceramics, creative writing, aerobics, bridge and martial arts.

At the Twin Rivers YMCA, you'll find a variety of programs for the entire family, including preschool swim lessons, youth progressive swim lessons, lifeguard classes, adult swim lessons, competitive swimming, aqua aerobics and arthritis aquatics.  The YMCA provides youth sports programs for flag football, basketball and soccer. The YMCA directs an after-school enrichment program for children during the school year, a summer sports camp and a day camp over the summer months. Adult programs include low-impact aerobics, step aerobics, kicks and jabs aerobics, aerobics for older adults, Pilates, Silver Sneakers and yoga. Other adult programs consist of volleyball, basketball and racquetball. A weight room and wellness center allow teens and adults ages 16 and older the opportunity to increase fitness through strength training and the use of a variety of cardiovascular equipment such as treadmills, stair-climbers, cross-trainers and exercise bicycles. An indoor walking track allows walkers to get in their daily exercise no matter what the weather outdoors. The YMCA's Aquatics Center offers water slides, a spray park, a zero-entry section, plenty of deck space, and lots of room for lap swimming, playing and fun. The outdoor pool is available for use during cooler months, thanks to its "bubble roof."

Courts Plus
2911 Brunswick Ave., New Bern
(252) 633-2221

The Broadcast Vision cardio exercise equipment at Courts Plus ensures a good workout, as do the expanded free-weight facilities and state-of-the-art weight-training equipment. A staff of five personal trainers can provide additional assistance and motivation. After your workout, you can wind down in the saunas, steam room or whirlpool. Lockers, towels and a tanning booth are also available. The pro shop offers apparel, equipment and accessories for your fitness needs. You can play racquetball on one of the four indoor courts, or go swimming and take part in aqua aerobics in the indoor and outdoor pools. You also can participate in organized basketball, karate and  aerobics, and child care and special programs for children are available. Courts Plus does not have trial memberships, but visitors may purchase a one-month, temporary membership.

Gold's Gym
3340 Dr. M. L. King Jr. Blvd., New Bern
(252) 634-9499

Located at the corner of McCarthy Boulevard and Dr. M. L. King Jr. Boulevard, Gold's Gym has more than 300 pieces of user-friendly exercise equipment. Cross-training and bike machines, Cybex, Life Fitness and Hammer Strength machines, free weights and more are ready to help you get fit and stay fit. New members are given fitness assessments and assistance with setting realistic fitness goals by one of the gym's personal trainers, who also are available to work with members one-on-one. Group classes are offered in Body Attack, Body Pump, Body Step, Body Flow, yoga, tai chi, kickboxing, floor and senior fitness, weight training, spinning classes and more. Other amenities include a juice bar, a nutrition center, tanning beds, a stand-up booth for tanning, free child care and more. A variety of membership options are available at Gold's Gym, which is open daily.

Hiking

Island Creek Forest Walk
Croatan National Forest
(252) 638-5628

This half-mile trail is perfect for a morning or afternoon hike. As you traverse it, you will see a virgin-like stand of upland hardwoods, picturesque Island Creek with bottomland hardwoods and a managed stand of loblolly pines. Before setting out, stop at the district ranger's office on Fisher Avenue and pick up the Island Creek Forest Walk brochure. The brochure contains a self-guided tour that identifies trees and other trail features. It also gives a map and directions to the trail.

Neusiok Trail
Croatan National Forest
(252) 638-5628

This area is strictly for those who enjoy roughing it. No camping facilities exist along the trail, but you may primitive camp if you pack out your garbage. You'll need to bring along drinking water and wear boots to cross wet areas. The trailhead starts on the Neuse River at Pine Cliff Recreation Area and ends at Oyster Point on the Newport River. It passes through a cypress-lined sandy beach, hardwood forests and thick pocosin with pond pines. The length of the trail is 21 miles, and it crosses several paved and unpaved roads. Except at Pine Cliff, camping is permitted anywhere along the trail. Hikers and campers need to bring their own drinking water and are advised to wear all-weather gear, waterproof boots and plenty of bug repellent. Because of summer's biting, stinging and zinging insects, fall, winter and early spring are better for camping and hiking. Catfish Lake and Great Lake also have additional primitive camping and earthen boat ramps. Boat ramps are available at Brices Creek, Cahooque Creek and Haywood Landing. Long Point, off N.C. Highway 58, has a ramp specifically for kayaks and canoes. Locals favor these spots for their natural beauty and handy access to water, but remember, insects can be prolific in the summer months. For directions, call or stop by the district ranger's office on Fisher Avenue.

Pine Cliff Recreation Area
Croatan National Forest
(252) 638-5628

Visitors can indulge in day-use activities such as picnicking, hiking and fishing at this Neuse River–based recreation area. Chemical toilets, well water and trailhead parking for the Neusiok Trail are also provided. Pine Cliff is open year round for day use only.

City Parks

New Bern has numerous parks that are great places to go for outdoor enjoyment. Below we describe many of the more popular parks with playgrounds, although the recreation department also maintains a number of smaller parks that for the most part serve only their surrounding communities. For more information about reserving shelters and/or parks at no cost for birthday parties, family reunions and other gatherings, call the New Bern Parks and Recreation Department at (252) 639-2901. We have indicated below which parks and shelters are available for reservations

Glenburnie Park
312 Glenburnie Dr., New Bern

In the Glenburnie Gardens residential area off Oaks Road, this 51-acre park is shaded by a grove of old pine trees and is considered one of New Bern's most scenic parks. It fronts the Neuse River and has a public boat ramp with paved parking, four picnic shelters with tables and grills, fishing piers, a playground, a disc golf course and public restrooms. Glenburnie Park and its shelters can be reserved.

Public Docks - Lawson Creek Park
Downtown, New Bern

Off Pembroke Road and fronting the Trent River, this 140-acre park has two boat landings and is a major attraction for water enthusiasts. Lawson Creek Park has something for everyone — two soccer fields, two fishing piers, a handicapped walkway and fishing pier, restroom facilities and a picnic area that includes a walkway with a gazebo, picnic tables and grills. The park and its picnic shelter are available for use by the public.

Union Point Park Complex
E. Front St. and S. Front St., New Bern

This park is located downtown where the Trent River joins the Neuse. An old landfill site renovated in the early 1970s, Union Point Park is now a wonderful and scenic place to sit and watch the river traffic. For those who love being outdoors, Union Point Park offers two boat-launching ramps, a gazebo (used for weddings, festivals and special events), a fishing pier, picnic tables, grills, playground equipment and public restrooms. Park-goers who want to enjoy a walk downtown can use the walkway under the Trent River Bridge to avoid vehicular traffic on E. Front Street. On the Fourth of July, Union Point Park is the perfect locale to watch the town's impressive display of fireworks (just be sure to bring your own chairs and mosquito repellent).

Fort Totten Park
Intersection of Trent Rd. and Fort Totten Dr., New  Bern

This 5.4-acre park has a lighted softball field and an impressive children's playground featuring swings, slides and climbing equipment, plus public restrooms and a picnic shelter with two grills and two picnic tables. This is a fantastic park that is always bustling with activity. The park and its picnic shelter can be reserved for parties and other celebrations.

Henderson Park
901 Chapman St., New Bern

This 30-acre park offers a playground and two picnic shelters with grills and picnic tables. It can be reserved for private use. The surrounding grounds have two lighted regulation-sized basketball courts, two baseball fields, a half-mile walking trail, outdoor workout equipment and restroom facilities. The site adjoins the Stanley White Recreation Center.

Seth West Parrott Park
1225 Pine Tree Dr., New Bern

With 25 acres, Seth West Parrott Park is a major place for recreation and attractions for kids. The West New Bern Recreation Center is here as well as the Kidsville Playground. In addition, you'll find two lighted tennis courts, a lighted outdoor basketball court, two lighted baseball fields and the Heath and Cutler Babe Ruth fields, as well as restrooms and a picnic shelter. Both the park and Kidsville Playground are available for reservations.

Kidsville Playground
1225 Pine Tree Dr., next to West New Bern Recreation Center, New Bern
(252) 639-2901

Children are enchanted with this playground, and grown-ups find it special, too. Constructed by volunteers in just five days in 1994, this place is the wonderful gift to the City of New Bern from the community of New Bern. Even if you're not a child, don't miss it, especially if you still get a thrill from swinging on great swings. For more details, see our New Bern Kidstuff chapter.

Pierce Park
545 Neuse Ave., New Bern

Pierce Park includes two lighted Little League fields with bleachers, a playground, public restrooms and a concession stand. The fields are used for baseball and tee-ball games and practices.

Other Parks

Creekside Park
Old Airport Road, New Bern

Developed by the Craven County Recreation and Parks Department, Creekside Park is a 111-acre recreational complex located adjacent to Craven Regional Airport. The park features walking trails, a sand volleyball court, 12 athletic fields, playgrounds, restrooms and picnic shelters. The waterfront has a launch area for canoes and kayaks as well as a fishing dock, a gazebo and walkways to Brice's Creek. All of the facilities may be reserved for public use. There may be rental fees that apply for use of the picnic shelters, gazebo and athletic fields. Creekside Park is located in the James City community, across the bridge from downtown New Bern.

Extension Service Gardens
300 Industrial Park, New Bern

The grounds of the Craven County Extension Service Building are dotted with a number of demonstration and community gardens, all open to the public free of charge. The Eastern North Carolina Rose Society maintains a community rose garden, with more than 70 varieties of roses ranging from climbers and shrubs to hybrid teas and miniatures. The Craven County Master Gardeners demonstrate various techniques and conduct classes utilizing their Demonstration Vegetable Garden. The food grown in the garden is donated to area programs for the needy. The Trent Woods Garden Club maintains a butterfly and bird garden. To visit the gardens, take U.S. 70 west from New Bern's Glenburnie exit about 5 miles to the Clarks exit. Take a right off the exit ramp. The immediate next right turn is Industrial Drive, and the Extension Service Building is the third building on the left.