The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1957-01-11
The Big Shrinkage

witty. This was pointed out in
Questions and Answers" as fol-
lows:
Question:
What recreational facilities will
be provided?
Answer:
Certain portions of the area,
deemed to be especially adapt
able for recreatiOnal uses, par
ticularly swimming, boating,
sailing, fishing, and other rec
reational activities of, similar
nature, will be developed for
such uses as needed, as soon as
funds are made available by the
Congress.
To carry out this provision of
the law, the following develop
ments either are under construc-
ton or are proposed for installa-
ton as circumstances permit.
(a)- Swimming. The new Coquina
Beach public swimming area on
Bodie Island is very nearly COM
pleted. Bathers will find here a
modern beach structure, with
shade shelters, rest rooms, and
self-service dressing enclosures.
Similar facilities are contemplated
for later development in locations
conveniently adjacent to communi-
ties on Hatteras and Ocracoke Is
lands. Locations and capacities
have not yet been definitely deter
mined; they must be based upon
needs which appear in the normal
course of operations.
(b) Picnicking. 1t is proposed to
provide facilities for picnicking on
each of the three major islands in
which the area lies. Accessibility
from roads and availability of pot
able water and provision of COM
fort stations will have a consider
able influence upon the choice of
exact locations for these facilities.
Moreover, they must be so located
that permanent damage to the
natural resources is not occasioned
through human over-use and con-
sequent wear and tear.
(c) Camping. The proposal is to
provide improved facilities for
family camping near Oregon Inlet
and at Cape Point on Hatteras Is
land, and perhaps in other selected
locations. Here again, the avail
ability of potable water and access
to comfort stations will be i'm
portant considerations in the loca-
ton of camp grounds. Casual
camping in locations not specifi-
cally designated for the activity
will not be permitted, for sanitary
reasons and because of the likeli-
hood of damage to natural condi-
lions which would be involved.
(d) Fishing. There will be
plenty of opportunity for shore
fishing, as there always has been.
From Cape Point, favorite spot
for surf casting, it is but a short
walk to comfort stations and park
ing area. Parking areas along the
road from Oregon Inlet to the
Cape will permit easy access to
the ocean beach in other locations.
If justified by public demand, con-
struction of not more than four
ocean fishing piers near existing
communities will be authorized.
Facilities of such a nature would
be financed and maintained by pri-
vate capital under National Park
Service concession contracts, as
previously noted.
| (e) Boating and Sailing. Char
lter-boat service to the visiting
sport fisherman, and sale of gaso-
line, oil, and supplies to those who
come in their own craft, will con-
tinue to be a function of those
who reside in the communities, as
heretofore. The National Park
Service has no legal jurisdiction
whatever over activities of this Oh
any other nature within the COM
munities which are not included in
the Seashore Recreational Area. II
does exercise control over the
Oregon Inlet concession operation,
which is within the Area and con-
siderably removed from any COM
munity. 1t is expected that those
who bring their own small craft
to the area by trailer for day-use
in protected waters of the Sound
will find opportunity for launching
and servicing in the villages and