Carteret County has started work on a new 15-year Comprehensive Parks and Recreation Master Plan and Shoreline Access Plan. The initiative is designed to guide future growth, services, and quality of life in the area. Residents are being encouraged to participate in shaping the direction of parks, recreation, and shoreline access throughout the county.
“Systemwide master plans typically provide a 10 to 15-year outlook, and the last update to the plan was in 2015,” said County Parks and Recreation Director Tina Purifoy. “Since then, Carteret County has experienced significant growth in both population and land use. Our peak-season population also continues to rise each year. By evaluating current conditions and anticipated trends, the County aims to create a data-driven plan that reflects the community’s goals.”
McGill Associates will lead the planning process. The firm brings experience from working with coastal communities across North Carolina. The project has begun with inventory analysis, needs assessment, and public engagement activities.
Residents can take part through several avenues: an online survey available on the project website; pop-up engagement activities at community events; and public input meetings scheduled in different parts of the county.
The planning effort will continue into 2026, with strategies and recommendations developed before a final plan is considered for adoption in summer 2026. Updates on progress and ways to participate are available at www.carteretparksandrecplan.us.
Recent data from Carteret County schools shows that among senior students taking the science portion of the ACT during the 2022-23 school year, about 36.5% were considered ready for college (https://www.dpi.nc.gov/). For juniors taking science, roughly 38.4% met readiness standards (https://www.dpi.nc.gov/). In reading, about 47.5% of seniors (https://www.dpi.nc.gov/) and 51% of juniors (https://www.dpi.nc.gov/) were deemed college-ready. Math readiness rates were lower: approximately 34.3% for seniors (https://www.dpi.nc.gov/) and 35.5% for juniors (https://www.dpi.nc.gov/).