New Developments
Carolina Beach Boardwalk Makeover is an ongoing campaign to improve the historic Boardwalk area. Summer events for 2011 included: Boardwalk Blast (music & fireworks on Thursday evenings), Family Nights (Tuesdays), Boardwalk Bingo (Wednesdays), Jazz Under the Stars (Wednesdays), and Summer Amusements (rides, games). Other events included Saturday Farmer's Market at the Lake (April-Oct.) and Christmas by the Sea (Nov./Dec.). http://www.boardwalkmakeover.org/
Carolina Beach State Park News: The park's newly renovated marina opened. The park also offers a secluded camping area, excellent fishing, and miles of hiking trails, including the Venus Flytrap Trail where this rare indigenous plant grows in its natural habitat. www.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/cabe/main.php
Carolina Beach Municipal Marina recently added 8 new transient slips, a floating dinghy dock, and pump-out station. Slips are for boats shorter than 25 feet that can dock for up to 3 hours.
Carolina Beach State Park's newly renovated marina and boat access reopened in Fall 2010 with new floating docks and additional boat slips, as well as boat ramp improvements, walkways, above-ground fuel tanks, and re-designed parking.
Future Greenway: New Hanover County Parks Department plans to develop the Pleasure Island Bike and Pedestrian Greenway, a proposed 9.5-mile long, 12-foot wide multi-use paved path from Sumter Ave. in Carolina Beach to the Fort Fisher Historic Site, south of Kure Beach. The greenway will provide a safe and green alternative for traveling around Pleasure Island. http://islandgreenway.org/ and http://www.nhcgov.com/
Farmer's Markets: Carolina Beach Farmer's Market returned to Carolina Beach Lake in 2011 (Saturday mornings, April-Oct. www.facebook.com/pages/Carolina-Beach-Farmers-Market/113902938643321).
Artful Living Group is a new art center in the Carolina Beach Central Business District. Since February, 2011, it represents over 60 artists and functional fine art home decor, wearable art, and unique gifts. The center also offers workshops and demonstrations. 910-458-7822; http://www.artfullivinggroup.com/.
Michael's Seafood Restaurant in Carolina Beach won first place in the 2010 Schweppes Great Chowder Cook off, a national seafood chowder contest held in Rhode Island. It is the 2nd consecutive year that Michael's received top honors.
NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher News: The NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher continues to add new exhibits, programs and activities. The "Shadows in the Sand" exhibit now featured three baby bonnethead sharks that were born inside the aquarium's 235-gallon saltwater tank in December 2010. The NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher was included among "The Knot's" Best Weddings list for 2011 (voted for by brides). A new "Megalodon Shark" exhibit is opened in Summer 2011. www.ncaquariums.com/fort-fisher
NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher long-range expansion plans include: The Aquarium will introduce a new whale and dolphin exhibit in 2012. The Aquarium is also partnering with the Town of Carolina Beach on a proposed Aquarium Pier near the Boardwalk (anticipated opening 2016). www.ncaquariums.com/aquarium-piers/carolina-beach