The League of American Bicyclists recently announced its 2009 list of "Bicycle-Friendly Communities", and Emerald Isle is proud to have been awarded an Honorable Mention.   

 

The Town continues to make a strong effort to promote bicycling as an alternative form of transportation and healthy recreational activity.  The Town has completed 2.4 miles of new dedicated bicycle path in the past 5 years, and and will begin construction of an additional 2 miles later this fall.  These projects, along with many other efforts to promote bicycling in recent years, led to this great accomplishment.

 

The Town's Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee took the lead to secure this award, and the Committee continues to work hard to promote bicycle initiatives in Emerald Isle.  The Mayor, Board of Commissioners and Town staff all remain committed to enhancing the Town's bicycle path system, and the Town will continue to strive for a full "Bicycle-Friendly Community" designation in the future.  A full designation is very competitive, with only 124 communities nationwide receiving this recognition.

For more information about recycling, visit http://www.emeraldisle-nc.org/faq.htm#recycling or contact Town staff at 252-354-3424.

For the past year, the Town has been participating in the NC League of Municipalities' Green Challenge, a program designed to promote "green" practices by NC cities and towns.  The Town was recently awarded the "advanced" level designation for its past, present, and planned environmentally-friendly initiatives. 

 

The Town's involvement in the Green Challenge has been championed by Mayor Schools.  A staff-level committee co-chaired by Alesia Sanderson, Parks and Recreation Director, and Kelly Gamble, Town Administrative Assistant, has led the Town's efforts and continues to be very active.  Over the past year, the committee has focused primarily on improving energy efficiency in Town operations and facilities and promoting recycling efforts.  The Town was recognized for these new efforts, but also for many past and present initiatives, including the Town's low-density development patterns, dunes and vegetation preservation ordinance, comprehensive storm water management program, bicycle path and sidewalk projects, curbside recycling program, and park projects.   

 

The Town was proud to receive this designation, and will continue our efforts to keep Emerald Isle "clean and green for the future".  We look forward to more progress in the future!

There are many park benches along the Town's bicycle path and sidewalk that were purchased by individuals or families and dedicated in memory of or in honor of someone special.  The demand for the park benches has been greater than the supply of suitable locations, and unfortunately the Town has had to deny some requests in recent months. 

 

With the construction of an additional 2 miles of bicycle path this fall and winter, additional park bench opportunities are available in the area along NC 58 between Black Skimmer Drive and Hurst Drive.  The cost per park bench is $275, and includes all materials, labor, and installation, and a small engraved plaque.  The Town will accept park bench orders on a first-come, first-served basis, and will attempt to honor all specific location requests, but cannot guarantee a specific location.

 

The Town also offers white rocking chairs dedicated in memory of or in honor of someone special.  These white rocking chairs are located on the large covered porch at the new Town Administration building.  The cost per rocking chair is $125, and also includes a small engraved plaque.  The white rocking chairs are also available on a first-come, first-served basis.

 

Frank A. Rush, Jr.

Town Manager

Town of Emerald Isle

7500 Emerald Drive

Emerald Isle, NC  28594

 

252-354-3424

frush@emeraldisle-nc.org