Which Emerald Isle Park Is Perfect for You?
It may seem crazy, but there may come a time during your stay in Emerald Isle, NC, whether is it permanent or temporary, when you want a break from the beach. I know, it sounds ludicrous, but sometimes you might want to check out some of the other outdoor attractions in town. When that happens, and it will, after reading this blog, you will know just what to do.
The parks in Emerald Isle fall into three categories, playgrounds, water access and land preserves.
Let's begin with Emerald Isle Playgrounds.
Emerald Isle has two playgrounds where children can have fun sliding, swinging, climbing and laughing while you can rest on one of the nearby benches and simply revel in the unbridled joy of youth. The first is the Jean Preston Memorial Playground and the second is the Blue Heron Park.
Both parks are located on the sound side of Town in the vicinity of the central Emerald Isle water tower. Aside from location, the best way to tell the two playgrounds apart is by color scheme. The Jean Preston Memorial Playground features purple and yellow equipment while the Blue Heron Park has red, yellow, and blue structures. Both offer free parking, water fountains, and restrooms nearby.
Named in honor of a member of the North Carolina House and Senate, the Jean Preston Memorial Playground is adjacent to the Emerald Isle boat ramp. If you (or someone in your group) plan on doing a little fishing or crabbing, this is the place to go! The kids can enjoy the playground equipment for a little while, and then the whole family can walk down to the boat ramp and enjoy some quality fishing off of the dock. Since this is a waterfront attraction, you can still enjoy those salty ocean breezes and gorgeous sunsets for which we’re famous.
The Blue Heron Playground is behind Town Hall, and next to the Emerald Isle Parks & Recreation Community Center. Here, you can relax on the bench under the shadow of some nearby trees while your kids work off some of that excess energy. This park also features a basketball court, gazebo, picnic pavilion, and two lighted tennis courts.
Water Access Parks
The Cedar Street Soundside Park is located in the Ocean-Forest community in the heart of Emerald Isle. You will find this park at the end of Cedar Street directly on Bogue Sound. There is parking available for 7 cars and there is a pier for crabbing or launching your kayak or paddle board. Windsurfing access also is available. This is a great placed to watch sunrises and sunsets over Bogue Sound. Pets are welcome but must be on a six-foot leash.
The Emerald Isle Woods Park is located at 9404 Coast Guard Road at the western end of Town. Heading west, the entrance is soundside, and you turn right into the parking just after reaching the Deer Horn Dunes community on the left. The sound side park is 41-acres and features walking trails, natural birding trails and boardwalk access to Bogue Sound with a floating dock and kayak launch. The park is dog-friendly; just make sure to bring a leash.
The Emerald Isle Woods Park trail is rated easy to moderate with some inclines and declines. Currently, a half mile is open to the public to explore, with additional nature trails in the planning stage. Bring your camera as you may see white-tailed deer, osprey, egrets, wading birds, woodpeckers and other shore birds.
Disc Golf Course at Emerald Isle Woods Park
A disc golf course has been installed in Emerald Isle Woods Park. Bring your discs and play a round at this enchanting 9-hole course that meanders through the natural maritime forest and ends near the Bogue Sound shoreline.
Land Preserve
The McLean-Spell Park is named after two of the town’s founding fathers, Bill McLean and George Spell. This is the largest vacant contiguous parcel of land in Emerald Isle. Initially zoned for a condominium complex, the Town acquired the land in 2018. Most of it – about 20 acres – is to remain forever in its natural, maritime forest state, but about 10 acres is eventually to be used for some kind of more active park, such as ballfields. a dog park, etc. The 30-acre tract located directly behind the Town Government Complex includes a mature maritime forest, much like how Bill McLean and George Spell saw it back in 1950, and approximately 1100 linear feet of frontage on Archers Creek. This park is accessible from Maritime Road and Sound Drive.
Interested in learning more about the Town of Emerald Isle, NC? Go to my website at www.EIHomesforSale.com and request my free Guide to Living in Emerald Isle, NC or text your email address to: 919-308-2292.
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