SWANSBORO, N.C. -- Swansboro residents are being asked for their opinions regarding future plans of Hammocks Beach State Park.
Created in 1961, it's a park that sees a few 100,000 people annually.
"You can come to the park at the mainland here and then take one of our two ferries during the summer over to Bear Island which is a 1,000 acre barrier island. That's where the beach is, but we also have a couple other islands," said Jake Vitak, park ranger for Hammocks Beach State Park.
The other islands include Jones, Huggins and Dudley Islands.
Future plans are also underway for about 300 acres of undeveloped mainland property the state acquired last year.
"The new mainland property acquisition is all this property on the water, and as you reach the end of the forest area to the right, it turns right and goes up Queens Creek," said Vitak.
It's property that the state wants the public's input on for future development.
"The North Carolina Park Service has contracted a company, Sage Design, to get public comment on what is to become of this new property. So, right now, Hammocks Beach State Park tends to be a very seasonal park," said Vitak.
"I think there's a variety of things that people would like to see. There's a lot of different opinions. Obviously, there are people that are pro and con to the boat ramp idea. There's also a lot of people who would like to see hiking trails," said David Pearson, Friends of the Hammocks & Bear Island president.
Some of the other options people would like to see include a possible sports court, camping areas and a dog park, too.
It's a time where people can share ideas on what their park could look like years from now.
"This may give Hammocks Beach State Park the opportunity to not become not just a seasonal park, but year-round, and it'll give people the opportunity to come here all times of the year and not just the summertime to enjoy it," said Vitak.
A public meeting to discuss development plans of the park will happen on Thursday at the Hammocks Beach State Park visitors center.
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