Freeman Park - All Campsites Booked Memorial Day Weekend

News Release from the Town of Carolina Beach:

CAROLINA BEACH, NC -Freeman Park campsites SOLD OUT May 22, 2015-May 24, 2015

The online reservation system for overnight camping in Freeman Park is working great-the system is easy to use and is being utilized daily by campers.  The upcoming Memorial Day Weekend has already sold out all 119 campsites between May 22^nd-May 24^th! 

We advise anyone planning an overnight camping trip to Freeman Park to check the online reservation website, www.freeman.spplusparking.com, and verify that spots are available.  There's also information about site access, amenities, and updated rules and regulations.

Any questions about camping in Freeman Park should be directed to SP Plus Parking at

910-458-4614.

North End Camping - Freeman Park Camp Permits Available Online

Freeman Park, or the "North End", is a beautiful stretch of beach where it's possible to drive your 4 wheeled vehicle right onto the sand to enjoy a day of fun in the sun, or even camp overnight. There's nothing quite like watching the moon rise over the ocean at the end of a day filled with swimming, surfing, fishing, searching for shells, and building sand castles...and then falling asleep to the sound of the waves crashing.

In order to keep this special place a safe and enjoyable destination for all visitors, that will be here long into the future there are some changes being put into place for the 2015 season.

Freeman Park Camping

One of these changes is that permits are now required for overnight camping from April 1 - September 30. These permits enable you to reserve a designated campsite, for a fee of $10 per night. Campers must also have a Freeman Park Access Pass in order to enter the park, and camping reservations cannot exceed a 14 day stay.

Permits will be available on a first come first serve basis and are limited to the 118 available campsites. If you want to camp on a summer weekend when the North End tends to be busy it's recommended that you reserve your site in advance.

Freeman Park Access Passes

The rate structure for North End passes has also changed for this year.

Daily Passes - $30.00
Daily Holiday Passes - $50.00
(This higher rate is in effect when Freeman Park traditionally sees the greatest number of visitors: Easter Weekend 4/3 - 4/6, Memorial Day Weekend 5/22 - 5/25, Fourth of July Weekend 7/3 - 7/6, and Labor Day Weekend 9/4 - 9/7.)
Annual Permit - $150.00

Passes can be purchase online or at the following locations:

Island True Value Tackle & Hardware - 801 N Lake Park Blvd, Carolina Beach 910-458-3049
Scotchman (Canal Drive Location) - 354 Canal Dr, Carolina Beach
Town of Carolina Beach Parking Office - 1204 N Lake Park Blvd, Carolina Beach 910-458-4614
Carolina Beach Town Hall, Billing Dept - 1121 N Lake Park Blvd, Carolina Beach 910-458-2999


Camping Permits, Access Passes, and detailed information available here: http://freeman.spplusparking.com/

Mayor's Update - Carolina Beach, NC

With record breaking crowds on our island and at Freeman Park this past Memorial Day weekend, I thought it might be good to share what we have done this year to improve Freeman Park. Over the past several months various town departments have been working on a list of improvements to encourage a family friendly atmosphere at the park. These changes are highlighted below:

Freeman Park Command Center

This facility will allow us to double the enforcement staff at the park providing a more robust police presence and better ability to identify and resolve issues before they become large problems. Burning pits, trash, glass and bottles and other concerns will be addressed in a polite yet firm manner to improve the overall experience.

Along with increased police presence and the focus on rules and regulations, the police department will also be establishing a Freeman Park Command Center on the beach in the #6 section. The command trailer will give the police department a dedicated location where assigned staff can take requests and complaints from visitors, process violations and citations, administer customer service functions and provide a secure location to address individual issues. We expect that between the increased staff and the “Base Camp” presence of the Command Center, the level of compliance will improve this season.

Hatteras Ramp

A new Hatteras Ramp has been installed to improve the traffic flow between the dunes. We will likely be seeking additional CAMA approval to place rip-rap rock at the end of the ramp to extend it out to a wider section of the beach, but we do not anticipate the additional approval during this season.

Pass and Parking Signage

Our Parking Contractor has improved the daily and weekly pass process by making the passes stand out, by printing them on blue paper with graphics and larger text. This change will make it easier to identify and inspect the passes and limit the ability to forge passes. Along with the new pass design will improve signage at the entrance explaining the fees, rules and process for obtaining a pass. We anticipate that this will improve the enforcement of the daily and weekly passes along with the visual aspects of the entrance.

Trash & Fire Debris Container

We have doubled the concrete fire debris containers, added more trash containers and increased pickups.
If you are headed to Freeman Park, please be safe and enjoy your experience! Keep in mind the holiday weekend are the busiest, so avoid those weekends if crowds are a concern!

Dan Wilcox, Mayor of Carolina Beach

Mayor’s Update - Various Carolina Beach Activities

Cape Fear Utilities Improvements

Due to weather and complications from hidden conditions, completion of this project is expected to take a few weeks longer than anticipated, with final work schedule to be complete prior to Easter weekend. In the meantime staff is working to maintain “open for business” signage and keep walkways open to help inform the public that businesses are open and accessible.

Gazebo Improvements

The contract has been let for the Gazebo improvements and work has already begun. We anticipate completion in late April.

Boardwalk Improvements

On February 27th we received unofficial approval from the Coastal Resource Commission (CRC) to allow improvements to the existing portion of the Boardwalk. On March 24th we received the official approval order. Approval of the “extension” portion of the project remains pending, but staff is working toward a decision from CRC this month assuming all submittal timelines can be met. A Project Manager has been selected to coordinate the project work and staff is currently in the final stages of preparing the bid package. We anticipate project commencement shortly after Labor Day, with project completion well before the following summer season.

Hatteras Ramp

The Hatteras ramp is currently under construction at an off-site location and is scheduled for installation starting on April 7th and finishing on April 16th. Freeman Park will be closed to vehicles during this period.

The bad news: There will continue to be some inconvenience caused by these projects. We realize this creates a hardship for some, but ask that you be patient and understand that most of the timelines for these projects are dictated by state agencies or other governmental approval processes. Your Town Council and Town Staff have not delayed the start of any projects, and in fact, have worked hard to maintain the most accelerated schedules good planning allows.

The good news: Prior to Easter Weekend Cape Fear Boulevard will be re-opened and the Hatteras ramp will be completed. By the end of April the Gazebo improvements will also be complete, as will all of the seasonal painting, landscaping, and cleaning work in the CBD/Boardwalk area. So, by Easter weekend we will be ready and open for another great summer season!

Dan Wilcox, Mayor of Carolina Beach

Town of Carolina Beach Changes Rate Structure for Freeman Park Passes

At the November 12, 2013 Council Meeting, Town Council implemented a rate change for Freeman Park. The season pass will remain at $100. However, a discounted seasonal pass will now cost $60 from the period of December 1, 2013 to December 31, 2013. Two and three day passes will no longer be available. A seven day pass will cost $50 and the daily pass remain at $20.

The discounted pass will not be available for purchase online, but can be purchased at Town Hall, Parks and Recreation Center, Island Tackle and Hardware, Canal Drive Scotchman, and Brew Thru.

Photo by Alicia Devereaux

Dredging and nourishment near the north end of Freeman Park Beach

Press Release from the Town of Carolina Beach:


Date Issued: February 22, 2013


Dredging and nourishment near the north end of Freeman Park Beach

The Army Corps of Engineers is managing an Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (AICW) Inlet Crossing Maintenance Dredging Contract that will begin work on Friday February 22, 2013. Carolina Beach Inlet Crossing & parts of Snow's Cut are included in this work package. The beach compatible material is scheduled to be placed on the north end of Freeman Beach. The project is anticipated to last 4-5 weeks.

Freeman Park will remain open, however the Carolina Beach Police Department advises people to use caution and stay away from the piping and construction areas in the interest of public safety. Entering posted beach areas can be very dangerous due to the heavy equipment and spoils being pumped on the shoreline.

A floating and submerged pipeline will run along the AICW channel to the Carolina beach Disposal Area. Mariners are cautioned to stay clear of dredge, booster, floating (pontoon) and submerged pipelines, barges, derricks and operating wires associated with dredging and marine construction operations. Operators of vessels of all types should be aware that dredges and floating pipelines are held in place by cables, attached to anchors some distance away from the equipment. Dredging projects are usually conducted twenty-four (24) hours a day seven (7) days a week, A NO WAKE transit is requested of all vessels passing the dredge and if necessary to clarify a SAFE PASSAGE contact the dredge on the appropriate VHF-FM channels 13 or 16.


Contact: Ed H. Parvin
Assistant Town Manager
Town of Carolina Beach, NC
(910) 458-2526 Office

FREEMAN PARK TO BE CLOSED DUE TO HIGH SURF - 2:00 PM, Saturday, October 27th

CAROLINA BEACH, NC – Due to high surf anticipated by Hurricane Sandy, the Town of Carolina Beach will close Freeman Park to visitors and campers on Saturday, October 27 at 2pm. The park will reopen on Monday, October 29th by 9am or sooner if weather permits.

Freeman Park is very susceptible to high tides.  During extreme tides, such as anticipated, the ocean reaches the dunes leaving little if any area for safe passage or camping.

2012 Freeman Park (North End) Passes Available

Freeman Park - "The North End"

The cost of the Freeman Park season permit is $60.00 from January 1 to March 31. After March 31, the cost of the annual permit for access to the North End of Carolina Beach is $100. Permits are available at Island Tackle & Hardware, Parks & Recreation Dept., Water/Sewer Dept., CB Police, Parking Office, Walgreen’s, Brew-Thru, Canal Dr, Scotch-man.

For more information go to www.carolinabeach.org/site_new/pages/freeman_park.html or http://pleasureislandnc.org/freemanpark.asp.

Freeman Park Closing in Anticipation of Hurricane Earl

TOWN OF CAROLINA BEACH

1121 N. Lake Park Boulevard

Carolina Beach, North Carolina  28428

910 458 2996

FAX 910 458 2997

Tim.owens@carolinabeach.org

News Release

Issued: Sept.1, 2010
Timothy W. Owens

For Immediate Release
Town Manager
(910) 458-2994


FREEMAN PARK TO BE CLOSED DUE TO HIGH SURF

CAROLINA BEACH, NC – Due to high surf anticipated by Hurricane Earl and Tropical Storm Fiona, the Town of Carolina Beach will close Freeman Park to visitors and campers on Wednesday, September 1st at 8pm.  The Park will remain closed on Thursday, September 2nd.  The park will reopen on Friday, September 3rd by noon or sooner if weather permits.

Freeman Park is very susceptible to high tides.  During extreme tides, such as anticipated, the ocean reaches the dunes leaving little if any area for safe passage or camping.

The North End - Freeman Park On Pleasure Island

"The North End", as Freeman Park is commonly referred to, is a fun and unique place to visit on Pleasure Island at any time of year. Popular among families, groups of all ages, boaters, kayakers, surfers, beachgoers, campers, fishing enthusiasts, and dog owners (and their pups!), it is a rare stretch of undeveloped beach which you can access by driving your 4 wheel drive vehicle right out on the sand.

Freeman Park truly offers something for everyone as an island hot spot on summer weekends, a remote spot for a quiet walk once fall arrives, and a great camp site all year long! There is nothing quite like waking up to the sun rising over the ocean from the comfort of your cozy tent.

If you would like to plan a trip to "The North End" be it for an hour, an afternoon, or a weekend, consult the rules and regulations for everything you need to know. A few highlights include:

• 4 Wheel Access Permits are required. Day passes can be purchased at the park entrance. For information on purchasing a season pass visit the Pleasure Island Chamber of Commerce.
• Dogs are allowed on leashes from April 1st to September 30th, and off leash under voice command from October 1st to March 31st. Always remember to pick up after your pets!
• Please do not leave anything behind at Freeman Park. In order to preserve the natural beauty for future visitors if you brought it in, please bring it with you when you go.

To access Freeman Park and one of North Carolina's most beautiful beaches, come over the bridge onto Pleasure Island and take N Lake Park Blvd into town. Turn left onto Carl Winner Dr, and then take another left onto Canal Dr which will end at Freeman Park.




View Freeman Park - The North End, Pleasure Island, NC in a larger map

Freeman Park (North End of Carolina Beach) Season Pass Rate Changes

Photo by Alicia Devereaux

The Town of Carolina Beach recently implemented a rate change for a Freeman Park season pass.  Beginning on May 15, 2010, the cost of a 2010 Freeman Park Season pass will rise from $60 to $100.  In addition, a tiered fee structure was implemented for season passes whereby a season pass would cost patrons $60 for the 2011 season pass up until March 31st.  The season pass would rise to $100 if purchased after March 31st.  The cost of a Freeman Park daily pass will remain at $20.

The Town of Carolina Beach will also implement a new entrance plan during the Memorial Day holiday weekend.  During peak entrance hours, the Town will allow for two lanes of traffic to enter into the park.  Patrons wishing to leave the park will only be able to do so for limited timeframes during the peak entrance hours.  The Town will also have a wrecker on hand to assist with removing vehicles that get stuck within or near the entrance.  The purpose of these changes is to get patrons into the park quicker and to help clear backed up traffic on Canal Drive.  If the plan is successful at easing traffic congestion, the Town will continue to implement the plan on busy holiday weekends.

Information provided by the Town of Carolina Beach. For more information call 910-458-2996.

Carolina Beach Gives Initial OK for Freeman Park Music Festival

The Star-News reports that the Carolina Beach town council last night gave preliminary approval to Michael Oliver's Revolution Evolution of Love Music Festival to be held at Freeman Park this summer.  Freeman Park is the undeveloped north end of Carolina Beach accessible only by foot or 4WD vehicle with a purchased daily or annual permit.

Michael Oliver proposed a weekend long, free music festival on the beach featuring local bands of many genres including reggae, bluegrass, folk, jam bands, and classic rock.  The board had some concerns about the logistics but unanimously approved the festival with changes to be worked out to address the board's concerns.

Among the Town Council's concerns are how to supply food vendors with the necessary resources to abide by health codes, supplying enough portable toilets, having extra police officers on duty, and that the timing make way for the beach nourishment project in April.  While some councilman were concerned about excessive partying and drugs, Mayor Joel Macon was quoted as saying "I'd rather it be planned than impromptu if they're going to do it anyway. I'd rather work together to make it a safe environment."

To read the full Star-News article, please see: Carolina Beach gives initial OK to music festival at Freeman Park