|
|
|
![]() |
|||||
![]()
|
Recreation
and
|
|
Strike Zone Family Fun
Center This state-of-the-art, smoke-free
recreational facility features 24 lanes of bowling fun. Cost is only
$4.75 each game; shoe rental is a separate cost. Scheduled for Saturday
nights is the spectacular, lights-out Big Bang Cosmic Bowling, complete
with satellite radio, a laser show and glow-in-the-dark bowling balls
and pins, for $15 per person from 9 PM until midnight. Reservations are
recommended for this but not required. Strike Zone also offers a snack
shop, pool tables and an arcade area. Strike Zone is open Monday,
Tuesday Wednesday and Thursday from noon to 10 PM, Friday and Saturday
from noon to midnight and Sunday from 1 to 10 PM.
|
HikingIsland Creek Forest Walk 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 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 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 ParksNew 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 ParksCreekside Park 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 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.
|
|
|