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New
Bern is surrounded by water and
great open spaces, making it an unbeatable location for all kinds of
recreational activities. Adults and children will find numerous places
to exercise and take part in sports programs. For those who want to
sample a variety of athletic pursuits, the City of New Bern and Craven
County offer year-round recreation programs and public areas for tennis,
power walking, running, baseball, basketball, softball and soccer. Both
the county and city maintain public boat ramps and fishing piers. Hiking
trails are maintained by the Forest Service in the Croatan National
Park, and the Brices Creek canoe trail is coordinated by Craven County
Recreation and Parks Department (see more about that in our
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Recreation
and
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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 a special price 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. Ask about
their special deals.
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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.
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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.
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Other ParksCreekside Park Developed by the Craven County Parks
and Recreation 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.
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