Parks

The island has a few parks and the majority of those focus on access to the beach. For descriptions of the beach access areas, see our Fishing, Boating and Watersports chapter.

Emerald Isle

Emerald Isle Parks and Recreation Department, (252) 354-6350, maintains several public parks and continues to increase the number and quality of these facilities. To learn about the numerous beach access areas in Emerald Isle, see our Fishing, Boating and Watersports chapter.

Blue Heron Park & Tennis Courts
MM 19, Emerald Isle

Located behind the Emerald Isle Town Hall, this park features tennis courts, a basketball court, a picnic shelter and a children's playground. Use of the tennis courts requires reservations, which must be made in person by the picnic shelter. There is a small fee for use of the tennis courts.

Emerald Isle Woods
Coast Guard Rd., Emerald Isle

Located along Coast Guard Road, this soundside, 41-acre park features walking trails and sound access. Additional amenities continue to be added to this lovely park.

Merchant's Park
MM 19 1/2, Emerald Isle

Merchant's Park is on the south side of Emerald Drive and offers parking, picnic tables, a shelter and restroom facilities.

Grayden Paul Jaycee Park
Front St. at the south end of Pollock St., Beaufort

Located on Front Street across from the post office, this pretty little park offers a grassy picnic spot, a gazebo, a dock and a swimming area. The park was named for the late Grayden Paul and it is maintained by the local Rotary Club.

Freedom Park
S.R. 1412 off Lennoxville Rd. in Beaufort

This 15-acre tract is surrounded by woods and is a popular place for all types of activities. It has lighted regulation adult and youth fields, a play lot, basketball courts, a picnic shelter and restrooms.

Curtis A. Perry Park
East end of Front St. adjacent to the boat ramp, Beaufort

You'll find a basketball court, two lighted tennis courts, restroom facilities, a dock and a waterfront picnic areas complete with grills. The park was built around the four boat ramps provided by the N.C. Wildlife Service and named in memory of the town's former public works director.

Morehead City Parks and Recreation Department oversees the city's parks and the Morehead City Community Center at 1600 Fisher Street. (The center also houses the department's offices.) Directly behind the community center are multi-purpose sports fields used primarily for softball and baseball. Each of the city parks offers different amenities. The department all types of programs, from aerobics and dance and karate classes to dog-obedience classes and youth sports programs. For the latest information about what's going on, call Parks and Recreation at (252) 726-5083.

City Park
1000 Block, Arendell St., Morehead City

This is a shady city park with playground equipment and a few picnic tables. Additional parking has recently been added, making City Park a great place to stop for lunch or play time while cruising the Morehead City waterfront shops. This park is equipped with a large gazebo and bathroom facilities and is beside the recently restored Train Depot. Reservations for large groups and shelter use is required. There is a small charge for residents to use the gazebo.

Jaycee Park
On the water at the south end of 9th St., Morehead City

This is the site of the city's Summer in the Park concert series hosted by the Parks and Recreation Department on Saturday evenings during the summer months. You'll find parking, picnic tables, a gazebo, swings and a short pier at this park.

Municipal Park
Arendell St., behind the Crystal Coast Visitors Center, Morehead City

Visitors will find plenty of parking, picnic areas and a very popular boat ramp. The park borders Bogue Sound, just west of the Atlantic Beach high-rise bridge. This park is an attractive place to eat lunch and watch the boats and sea birds. Restroom facilities are available in the Visitors Center. If you plan to launch your boat, get there early for a parking place.

O'Neal Field
off 20th St. and Mayberry Loop, Morehead City
 

O'Neal Field was dedicated in the spring of 2007 and is adjacent to the Rotary Park Soccer Complex. Both are operated by the Morehead City Parks & Recreation Department. O'Neal Field offers a lighted, full-size American league baseball field as well as restroom facilities.

Piney Park
2900 block of Bridges St., east of Morehead Plaza, Morehead City

This tiny green space offers a quiet respite to anyone who feels like getting outdoors. You'll find pine-tree shade and picnic tables.

Shevans Park
1600 Block, Evans St., Morehead City

Shevans Park has lighted tennis courts, shelters with picnic tables and restroom facilities. There is also a large, impressive children's maze called Sea of Dreams. Based on kids' ideas, the playground's basic theme is a castle. Inside, kids can play on cable ladders, spring bridges, a balance beam suspended from chains, a boat, a race car, rings, musical chimes, a wooden-horse ride, a pirate's ship and a playhouse complete with a toy stove and kitchen. This community project was financed by private donations of cash and materials and built by volunteers. There is no fee to reserve the small shelter, however, a reservation is required.

Sugarloaf Island
Evans St., Morehead City
(252) 726-5083

Sugarloaf Island is across the waterway from the Morehead City waterfront and is accessible only by boat. Once on the 22-acre island, visitors can enjoy an island habitat park with a nature trail, beach areas and restroom facilities.

Swinson Park
1 mile west of Morehead City on Country Club Rd., 
next to Morehead City Primary School

This 34-acre park is located beside Morehead City Primary School and is a popular spot for sports and family outings. Visitors will find lighted and unlighted adult and youth athletic fields, lighted tennis courts, basketball courts, play lots, a picnic shelter and a comfort station. This park also provides access to Morehead City's trail system for biking, running and walking.

Rotary Park - Soccer Complex
Off 20th St. and Mayberry Loop, Morehead City

This park and soccer complex is a wonderful addition to the city's park system. It was paid for with a combination of federal and state grant money and support from county Rotary Clubs and other community organizations. The site features several regulation, lighted soccer fields that are often converted to make seven fields for play by younger athletes. The park has picnic shelters, lighted basketball courts and restroom facilities. A walking trail around the perimeter of the park features a boardwalk through the woods and will tie into the city's sidewalk system.

Bicentennial Park
At the base of the bridge into Swansboro on N.C. Hwy. 24