With summer in full swing, what Wilmington-area parks offer grilling?

Cheryl M. Whitaker, Wilmington StarNews
·9 min read
Felix Winston cooks up some burgers and hot dogs during a cookout at Long Leaf Park in Wilmington.
Felix Winston cooks up some burgers and hot dogs during a cookout at Long Leaf Park in Wilmington.

Summer is the perfect time for grilling, having a picnic or maybe you just want to throw a birthday party or other celebratory event at a park.

Here's what to know about grilling or picnicking at area public parks.

New Hanover County

The New Hanover County Parks and Gardens advises the public can grill at any park that has grills. However, you can only bring personal grills to a park if you have a picnic shelter reservation. You are not allowed to bring personal grills to the first come, first served parks such as Smith Creek, Parkwood, Arrowhead and Monterey Park. Veterans Park shelter #2 does not allow grills even with a picnic shelter reservation. For more, visit the website at https://parks.nhcgov.com/park-information/locations/.

Airlie Gardens: 300 Airlie Road, Wilmington. Airlie has a limited number of picnic tables scattered throughout the garden for use on a first-come, first-served basis. Guests are also welcome to bring a blanket for picnics on the lawn. Personal tables and chairs are not allowed. The Gardens are open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission: $9 for adults, $5 for New Hanover County residents/military, and $3 for ages 4-12. Tickets must be purchased in advance. 910-798-7700.

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Arrowhead Park: 720 Arnold Road, Wilmington. Picnic shelter seats 36, first come, first served. One grill. Six tables. Opens 8 a.m.-sunset.

Blue Clay Park: 3840 Juvenile Center Road, Castle Hayne. Has one picnic table near the trail entrance. Hours 8 a.m.-sunset.

Kings Grant Park: 5027 Lord Byron Road, Wilmington. Picnic shelter seats 20. For use on first come, first served basis. One table. No grill available.

Long Leaf Park in Wilmington
Long Leaf Park in Wilmington

Long Leaf Park: 314 Pine Grove Drive, Wilmington. Six picnic shelters for reservations.

  • Shelter #1 is within walking distance to the playground and baseball fields. Seats 40. Two grills, six tables. Rental fees: $25/4 hours (New Hanover County residents), $50/4 hours (nonresidents).

  • Shelter #2 is beside the playground and tennis courts. Seats 50. Two grills, six tables, and also two handicap-accessible tables. Rental fees: $35/4 hours (New Hanover County residents), $70/4 hours (nonresidents).

  • Shelter #3 is the first shelter on your right when you enter through the Pine Grove entrance. Seats 40. One grill, five tables. Rental fees: $25/4 hours (New Hanover County residents), $50/4 hours (nonresidents).

  • Shelter #4 is located next to the splash pad. Seats 100. Two grills, 13 tables. Rental fees: $35/4hours (New Hanover County residents), $70/4 hours (nonresidents).

  • Shelter #5 is next to the sand volleyball court and splash pad. Seats 80. Two grills, nine tables, and also one handicap-accessible table. Rental fees: $35/4 hours (New Hanover County residents), $70/4 hours (nonresidents).

  • Shelter #6 is near the equestrian ring and within walking distance of the splash pad. Seats 125. Double grill, 15 tables, and also one handicap-accessible table. Rental fees: $45/4 hours (New Hanover County residents), $90/4 hours (nonresidents).

Monterey Heights Park: 401 Cathay Road, Wilmington. Picnic shelter which seats 45. No grill. Six tables. Shelter for use on a first come first served basis.

Northern Regional Park at Castle Hayne: 4700 Old Ave., Castle Hayne. Two reservable picnic shelters. Hours 8 a.m.-sunset.

  • Shelter #1 is near the multi-age playground, softball field, and disc golf course. Seats 45. Four grills.  Four tables, and also two handicap-accessible tables. Rental fees: $25/4 hours (New Hanover County residents), $50/4 hours (nonresidents).

  • Shelter #2 is near the tennis courts and soccer fields. Seats 45. Two grills and six tables. Rental fees: $25/4 hours (New Hanover County residents), $50/4 hours (nonresidents).

Ogden Park: 615 Ogden Park Drive, Wilmington. Hours 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Three reservable picnic shelters.

  • Shelter #1 is located beside a playground, soccer/football fields, and a walking/jogging trail. Seats 60. Two grills. Rental fees: $35/4 hours (New Hanover County residents), $70/4 hours (nonresidents).

  • Shelter #2 is located across the pond from the playground, besides walking/jogging trail. Seats 45. Rental fees: $25/4 hours (New Hanover County residents), $50/4 hours (nonresidents).

  • Shelter #3 is near the dog park, shelter #2, walking/jogging trail. Seats 45. Four tables, and also two handicap-accessible tables. Rental fees: $25/4 hours (New Hanover County residents), $50/4 hours (nonresidents).

Parkwood Park: 4827 Canetuck Road, Wilmington. Two picnic shelters on a first come first served basis. No restrooms are available. Hours: 8 a.m.-sunset.

  • Shelter #1 is located near a playground, basketball courts, and walking trail. Seats 45. One grill, four tables, and also one handicap-accessible table.

  • Shelter #2 is near a playground, basketball courts, walking trail, shelter #1. Seats 45. No grill.

River Road Park: 6500 River Road, Wilmington. Two picnic shelters. Hours: 8 a.m.-sunset.

  • Shelter #1 seats 45 and can be reserved. Rental fees: $25/4 hours (New Hanover County residents), $50/4 hours (nonresidents). Two grills, four tables, and also one handicap-accessible table.

  • Shelter #2. Seats 10. First come, first served. One grill and one table.

There are also three picnic tables scattered throughout the park.

Riverside Park, 6710 Old Bridge Site Road, Castle Hayne. There are picnic tables scattered throughout the park. Hours: 8 a.m.-sunset.

Smith Creek Park, 633 Shenandoah St., Wilmington. A picnic shelter that seats 45 is for use on a first-come, first served. Six tables. No cooking is allowed in this park. Hours: 8 a.m.-sunset.

Trails End Park: 613 Trails End Road, Wilmington. There are six wooden picnic tables scattered throughout the park. Hours: 8 a.m.-sunset.

Veterans Park: 835 Halyburton Memorial Parkway, Wilmington. There are two reservable shelters. Hours: 8 a.m.-10 p.m.

  • Shelter #1 is located beside the playground. It seats 45 and has one grill. Rental fees: $25/4hours (New Hanover County residents), $50/4 hours (nonresidents).

  • Shelter #2 is located near the high school stadium, pond, and seats 45, and has one grill. Rental fees: $25/4hours (New Hanover County residents), $50/4 hours (nonresidents).

Wilmington

Wilmington Parks and Recreation: Park hours are sunrise to sunset. Charcoal fires are allowed only in facilities provided (do not leave them unattended). Fire pits, fireworks, and firecrackers are not allowed. To view the parks that offered to grill or picnicking, please visit https://www.wilmingtonnc.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/1046/637873563409000000.

Wrightsville Beach

Wrightsville Beach Parks and Recreation: The town has two parks that offers grilling. The parks have covered picnic shelters with tables.

  • Wrightsville Beach Park: 321 Causeway Drive. First come, first serve or you can reserve an area. Please call the park office at 910-256-7925 or email ParksAndRecreation@towb.org.

  • Greensboro Street Mini-Park: 12 West Greensboro St. First come, first serve.

Fort Fisher State Park
Fort Fisher State Park

Carolina Beach, Fort Fisher

Carolina Beach State Park: This is a North Carolina state park, located at 1010 State Park Road, Carolina Beach. It covers 761 acres on Pleasure Island. The state owns 420 acres of the park, and the remainder is leased from the Department of the Army. The park is located along the Cape Fear River and Snow's Cut (part of the Intracoastal Waterway). The Carolina Beach State Park picnic area is located near the bank of Snow's Cut, between the campground and marina. Under the shade of large oak trees, tables and grills supply all the necessities for dining. A wheelchair-accessible site is also available. Water, restrooms, and parking are conveniently located nearby.

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Fort Fisher State Recreation Area: This is a 287-acre North Carolina state park, located at 1000 Loggerhead Road, Kure Beach, it includes Fort Fisher, site of a major naval engagement during the American Civil War. Picnic facilities (grills, tables, etc.), beach access, and restrooms. Most shelters can hold 40 or more people. You can reserve a shelter for a small fee. To reserve a shelter, please call 910-458-5798.

Brunswick County

Brunswick County Parks & Recreation has 12 parks. There are nine parks offering picnic shelters where you can bring your own grill, but you must fill out a special use permit request at https://bcparks.recdesk.com/Community/Facility.

  • Brunswick Nature Park Picnic Pavilion, 2601 River Road, Winnabow. Hours: 8 a.m. until dusk.

  • Leland Community Park: 1490 Village Road, NE, Leland.

  • Lockwood Folly, 430 Green Swamp Road, Supply.

  • Northwest Park, 1937 Andrew Jackson Highway, NE, Leland.

  • Ocean Isle Beach Park, 6483 Old Georgetown Road, Ocean Isle Beach

  • Shallotte Park, 5550 Main St., Shallotte

  • Smithville Park, 8340 River Road, SE, Southport

  • Town Creek Park, 6420 Ocean Highway East, Winnabow

  • Waccamaw Park, 5855 Waccamaw School Road, NW, Ash

No grills at the two parks below, but picnicking is allowed.

  • Dutchman Creek Park, 4750 Fish Factory Road.

  • Navassa Park, 800 Park Ave., Navassa (picnic shelter).

The Brunswick Riverwalk at Belville opened in May 2016.
The Brunswick Riverwalk at Belville opened in May 2016.

Belville

Belville Riverwalk Park: Located at 580 River Road, SE, Belville. There are two shelters that have charcoal grills. First come, first serve, but if you want to guarantee a certain date, you must reserved a shelter. The cost is $25. To reserve a shelter, please visit https://townofbelville.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/TOB192-Shelter-Resevation-Form-10182021-converted.pdf.

Pender County

The county owns and maintains three parks: To reserve a picnic shelter, please visit  https://penderpr.recdesk.com/Community/facility. For more information, call 910-259-1330.

Hampstead Kiwanis Park: 586 Sloop Point Loop Road, Hampstead. Two picnic shelters.  The large shelter have seating available with 14 tables that can accommodate six people at each table for a total of 84 people. The cost of shelter is $15 per hour block for residents or nonprofit organizations and $20 per hour block for nonresidents or for-profit organizations.

Millers Pond Park: 12762 U.S. 117, Rocky Point. One picnic shelter. No grill, but renters can bring there own but they cannot be used under the picnic shelters.

Pender Memorial Park: 601 S Smith St, Burgaw. One picnic shelter.

Contact Cheryl Whitaker at cheryl.whitaker@starnewsonline.com or 910-343-2004.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: These Wilmington-area parks offers grilling and picnicking