Wrightsville Beach considers expanding “The Loop”

by Jenny Yarborough
Tuesday, June 8, 2010

There’s been a lot of talk about widening the John Nesbitt Loop due to its heavy use and close quarters but no plans may become official before first speaking with the DOT (Department of Transportation) that owns a portion of the roads where sidewalks are wished to be expanded, said Katie Ryan, Wrightsville Beach Parks and Recreation program supervisor, during the town parks and recreation advisory committee meeting.

The idea, initially brought to the table by alderman Lisa Weeks months ago, would extend along Causeway Drive beginning at its intersection with Coral Drive and along Salisbury Street to the bridge over Kenan Creek.

While Ryan is still awaiting a return phone call from the DOT, Greg Files, committee member said he surveyed a sample of Loop joggers.

“Not a one of them was a Wrightsville Beach resident,” Files said. Furthermore, he continued, that upon stopping the joggers all said they were pretty much satisfied with the condition of the Loop.

When Files pushed the question, the only thing most agreed would be a nice improvement would be to widen the skirt of the running path.

As for now, the group tended to lean on stone fines, or a small gravel substance, also used in the enclosed Harborway Gardens, rather than solid concrete.

The committee felt that using a more flexible, permeable substance might aid in the financing of the project and its final approval by the board of aldermen, DOT and the county from which Weeks hopes to receive a grant.

The Loop extension would more than likely follow the manmade dirt trail formed by runners that currently meanders around utility poles and trees rather than attaching it to the concrete already in place because it would require removal of those poles and trees.

For now, the committee has only made suggestions as to what it felt would work best for the community.

The group is still waiting for round No. 2 on the PARTF grant before moving on with plan B, or using its bond money to move forward with the construction of an events stage and other small projects.

Ryan announced that the initial power yoga class on the beach will begin July 7, 7-8 a.m. at Public Beach Access No. 4 and continue each Monday and Wednesday throughout the summer. Parks and recreation will also soon be adding boot camp from 8-9 a.m. on Saturdays.

There is no July meeting planned.

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