Parks

The Carteret County parks system offers visitors and residents more than 150 acres of open space for recreational enjoyment. The system of parks, ball fields, beach accesses and fishing piers are managed by the county's Parks and Recreation Department. The parks and ball fields offer picnic areas and parking access. Here we briefly describe each of these facilities. (Beach accesses and fishing piers are detailed in our Fishing, Boating and Watersports chapter.) Along with maintaining the parks, the county also offers a variety of programs, from summer camps to recreational teams, Senior Games to Special Olympics. Call the Parks and Recreation Department, (252) 808-3301, for the latest schedule.

Eastern Park
450 U.S. Hwy. 70, Smyrna

This 30-acre facility has lighted adult and youth fields, basketball courts, lighted tennis courts, lighted multi-purpose fields, a playground, horseshoe pits, beach volleyball courts and a walking trail. Visitors to the park will also find a picnic area, restrooms and a large parking area.

Harkers Island Beach Access
Southeast side of drawbridge on Harkers Island

This area offers parking space and a beach access. Across the road is a nice public dock for fishing. No restroom facilities are offered. There are no lifeguards, so visitors swim at their own risk.

Manley Gaskill Field
Next to Harkers Island Elementary School

The facilities available here include one large lighted ballpark, one youth ball field, a concession stand and a storage shed.

Leon Mann Jr. Enrichment Center
3820 Galantis Dr., Morehead City

This county-operated center offers facilities for seniors ages 50 and older and hosts a variety of recreational activities, health and wellness classes, nutrition programs and various other services. The center has a fully equipped kitchen, physical fitness rooms with showers and lockers, a game room, three classrooms (one with microwave, stove/oven and refrigerator), a health room, all-purpose rooms and a library. Outdoor facilities include shuffleboard courts, patio areas and horseshoe pits. The center is open Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM. The center is available for rental on nights and weekends.

Mariners Park
Off U.S. Hwy. 70 in Sea Level across from the hospital

This park consists of 20 acres, including lighted adult and youth athletic fields, tennis courts, a basketball court, a playground and restrooms.

Marshallberg Picnic Area
Marshallberg Rd. at the Harbor

These picnic shelters are situated overlooking the water and provide a beautiful water view for visitors.

Newport Ball Field
Next to the Newport Elementary School

This park has three ball fields and a storage shed.

Newport River Park
East of the Beaufort-Morehead City High Rise Bridge, 
between Beaufort and Morehead City

The park's 4 acres encompass an island of sand, a sunning area, picnic tables, a new 300-foot fishing pier and a boat ramp sufficient for launching small boats. The entrance is directly across from the entrance to Radio Island.

Radio Island Water Access
501 Marine Dr., off U.S. Hwy. 70, Beaufort

This area offers wading, swimming, picnic tables, grills, restrooms and outdoor showers. Be aware that there are dangerous currents in deeper water and it is best to stay close to the shore when swimming. There is no lifeguard on duty, so keep a watchful eye on the kids when they're in the water.

Salter Path Beach Access
N.C. Hwy. 58, Salter Path

This facility offers beach access for swimming, picnic tables, grills, a 465-foot boardwalk and a restroom with outside showers.

Salter Path Park
Ballpark Dr. in Salter Path

This area provides a ball field, playground, basketball court, parking lot and picnic shelter.

South River Park
1030 South River Rd., Beaufort

This area provides a playground, parking spaces, a basketball court, a picnic shelter/comfort station and restrooms. It is nicely landscaped and has some nice shady areas.

West Beaufort (Town Creek) Water Access
298 W. Beaufort Rd., Beaufort

This facility has floating docks, a fishing pier, two boat ramps and a comfort station. It offers boat access to the water just north of the Beaufort drawbridge. This facility is undergoing renovations to build new boat ramps, but access is expected to be ready by the spring.

Western Park
Cedar Point, off N.C. Hwy. 58