Ocean Isle Beach Park Phase II Plans — FAQ

Below is information about the Ocean Isle Beach Park Phase II project, including frequently asked questions and some background information about the park.

Q: Are the plans set in stone?

A: At this time, Phase II of the Ocean Isle Beach Park project is still in the planning stages. Staff is working with consultants on the site master plan, and is considering concerns raised at the last public workshop on the park, including concerns about Pickleball courts and baseball field lighting. There will be opportunities for public input before the plan is finalized.

Q: What are the next steps for the Phase II project?

A: After the site master plan is finalized, it will be presented to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. The plan will need to be received by the Advisory Board and the Steering Committee, and approved by the Board of Commissioners before it is finalized.

Q: I live near the park. What kind of buffer will there be between the park and my house? What about safety concerns?

A: The plans include approximately 650 feet between the proposed ball fields in Phase II and the closest house, with a wooded buffer along the property line and including a 50 foot voluntary buffer along the property line.  The Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office does a great job of monitoring County-owned parks throughout the day, and at night all parks are closed, with gates locked, at their designated times. In the fall, after the time change, Ocean Isle Beach Park closes at 9 p.m.; in the spring, it closes at 10 p.m.

Q: How will upkeep of the park be funded?

A: Every year, maintenance for parks is included in the County budget as a general fund expenditure.

The Ocean Isle Beach Park master plan from 2008 included plans for a second phase with further development of the park to meet the needs of residents in the southwestern area of the County, including athletic fields along the property line.

The community and residents felt that the plan should be updated, since the site master plan is now almost 10 years old, approximately 40% of the existing park property is comprised of wetlands to remain in a natural state, and the original plans would no longer accommodate the community’s needs.

A public workshop was held on December 10, 2015, regarding Phase II of Ocean Isle Beach Park, with a second public meeting held January 22, 2016. Announcements about the meeting were sent to the media, ATMC, the Chambers of Commerce, the town of Ocean Isle Beach, through the school system and local private schools, and were posted online. Additionally, surveys were sent to residents through the school system and through the town of Ocean Isle Beach. The results of the surveys showed that a high percentage of respondents wanted to see additional walking and jogging trails, basketball courts and ball fields, among other items.