Pleasure Island Greenway Location

The front-page headline in today's Star-News reads "Pleasure Island split on bike-trail location." The story discusses the response of Carolina Beach and Kure Beach citizens to a planned bike trail between Snow's Cut and Fort Fisher.

At issue is the location of the bike path, or Pleasure Island Greenway. Most residents agree that a bike path spanning the island would be an asset for residents and visitors alike.

In August, New Hanover County called a public meeting to solicit input on plans to develop the Pleasure Island Bike and Pedestrian Greenway, a multi-use paved path from the Snow's Cut boat ramp in Carolina Beach to the Fort Fisher Historic Site, south of Kure Beach. From the news release calling the meeting:

"The proposal calls for a 12-foot wide paved path that would extend over most of the existing fire break separating the towns of Carolina Beach and Kure Beach from property owned by the federal government, including the Fort Fisher Air Force Recreation Area. The greenway would provide a safe and green alternative for travelling around Pleasure Island."

The Star-News reports that hundreds of residents turned out to discuss the proposal and a number of them were opposed to using the fire break for a public access path. The reasons they listed included:

1. Concerns about crime and noise
   
2. Safety
   
3. Security
4. Police and fire protection in that area
5. Trash pickup
6. General maintenance

Opponents to the proposed location suggested using Dow Road instead while planners with the Pleasure Island Greenway Committee felt that Dow Road was too far away from the downtown areas of the beach towns. They want to encourage inclusion and accessibility to help foster a sense of community in these beach towns and make connections with the people and places of Pleasure Island.

Greenway planners are open-minded about finding the right location for the bike path and will continue to listen to residents to try and find the right solution.

Link to Star-News article