Kinston's Neuseway Nature Park, already an asset to the area, is on the way to becoming one of eastern North Carolina's main attractions. With the Exchange Nature Center well established and the future additions of a planetarium and science museum on the drawing boards, no other park in the state will compare.

The Nature Center maintains a hands on educational program with its sea life touch tank and an assortment of wildlife and plants indigenous to North Carolina. The cave underneath the center has exhibits featuring turtles, caiman and nocturnal animals, as well as mineral exhibits.

Sitting on the banks of the Neuse River, the Nature Center is but one aspect of the Neuseway Nature Park. Full hook up and shower facilities for recreational vehicles and tent camping with fire rings are being utilized regularly by visitors. There is also a picnic shelter and fireplace, picnic tables throughout the park, a hiking trail, fishing ponds and a fishing dock. On one side of the Nature Center is a rock climbing wall. Nature lovers, campers, hikers, bicyclists, boaters and fishermen enjoy the 55 acres of the park.

The park's miscellany of activities will be educationally enriched with the addition of the planetarium and science museum, being planned by the Kinston-Lenoir Parks and Recreation, the Lenoir County Board of Commissioners and the Kinston City Council.

The idea for a planetarium and science museum began when the Parks and Recreation Commission recognized the potential of the park because the Nature Center has been tremendously well received. The Commission began to look into possibilities where the city and county could work together to attract more visitors, ultimately benefitting Kinston and its downtown business district. Kinston-Lenoir Parks and Recreation Director Bill Ellis envisions the project as an opportunity for children to learn about science and chemistry.

The Commission hopes to purchase a privately owned building which sits adjacent to the Nature Center. Plans are to renovate this structure, because the park lies in a flood plain and no new construction is allowed. Renovating an existing structure is permissible if the bottom floor elevation is above the 100 year flood plain. Built in 1899, the structure meets those qualifications. Although the water came close in 1996, the first floor of the building has never flooded.

The Nature Center itself was flooded in 1996. The Recreation Department was aware that it would flood occasionally because of its being in a flood plain. Because of this, the bottom was constructed as a cave to allow the water to come in and then flow back out as the river recedes. It is built out of concrete and stucco. Exhibits are three feet off the ground and can easily be moved upstairs in the event of a flood.

When the proposed building is purchased, the science museum is planned for the bottom floor with the planetarium upstairs. A dome will be constructed for the night sky to be projected onto it. Ellis has also looked into the possibility of purchasing a used planetarium dome.

Ellis believes that because of Kinston's central location, Neuseway Nature Park is the ideal place for such a venture. He says that with these additions, a field trip to the park is the perfect field trip - providing hands on learning with animals, science and astronomy. In conjunction to the Nature park, a visit to the CSS Neuse State Historic Site would provide local history.

There is no other facility in North Carolina that has a nature center, planetarium and science museum. With the added charm of being right on the river, Neuseway Nature Park will be a beautiful and fascinating recreational facility.

Parks and Recreation has applied for funding from the state to begin the project. Ellis says that Lenoir County has strongly supported the Nature Center and park. If the park receives a grant from the state, the county will then have two years to match the funds. Ellis feels confident that Lenoir County will appropriate the needed funds. He also feels that the project is significant to eastern North Carolina and therefore has a good chance of being approved for state funding. The application to the state will be answered in late June.

Parks and Recreation has asked for enough money to purchase the building and renovate it. Ellis says that the projected cost will be between $250,000 and $300,000, a savings of half the cost because of utilizing volunteer services and donations. Limited fundraising such as a duck race will also help finance the additions.

The park also saves money in terms of payroll. There is one full time park ranger on staff in the park. The remaining staff consists of volunteers. The park will continue to rely on volunteers to man the planetarium and science museum.

If the state approves the grant, the completion of the project will take about two years. However, Ellis says that if the state does not fund the project, then a new application will be filed next year. Such a scenario will only delay the project.

The planetarium and science museum are not the only developments Neuseway Nature Park is undergoing. Eventually Ellis plans to include canoeing among the activities available. The County Commissioners allotted money in this year's budget to purchase canoes.

Parks and Recreation is now working on a canoe trail beginning at the Wayne County line and running to the Pitt County line. The canoe trail will allow for all day trips or short jaunts lasting about 45 minutes. There will be sign markers on the river every half a mile for canoeists to measure their route.

Canoes will be available to rent and group canoe trips will be offered. Safety considerations will include mandatory life jackets and a safety video presentation. No canoes would be rented if the water reached a certain predetermined level. Other recreation departments in North Carolina have had success with their canoe programs.

Ellis says the county money also will hopefully provide boat ramps, one to be located behind the Nature Center and one somewhere on the county line. The existing boat ramp on Highway 70 will also be repaired and maintained.

Although the river is the heart of the park, the fishing ponds attract a lot of people. The fishing dock on the rear pond is thirty feet long and is a scenic spot to fish or simply enjoy the view. The North Carolina Wildlife Service stocks the ponds with 500 catfish a month during the spring and summer. This number is the estimated amount that will be fished out. Catfish feeders are installed to enhance the growth rate of the fish.

There is no charge to fish there, and the Nature Center has fishing rods and reels available to rent. Lenoir County residents using live bait and youth under the age of 16 need no license to fish.

The river itself stocks the pond with other types of fish when the water is high. Catfish, however, do not leave the ponds when the river recedes. The park does not try to attract domestic bird species because they tend to eat the fish food and thus, the fish. There is a heron that can be seen frequently around the rear pond.

The park property stops at the fishing ponds, but sand pits are being dug behind the ponds. Ellis hopes that eventually the park can acquire this land and have a 100 acre land locked lake. It would take about 20 years for this to become a reality.

Other plans in the works include a foot bridge which will span the river and connect the park to its other side on West Gordon and Herritage Streets. The bridge will be located near the site where one of the old steamboat docks was. This part of the park has a gazebo and river overlooks. Discussions are ongoing as to what type of bridge would be aesthetically appropriate and financially feasible.

Such a diverse park with numerous activities will draw tourists and groups. Travelers on Highway 70 will find it easy to stop and visit the park, putting them in close proximity to downtown Kinston businesses. Ellis feels that the park already indirectly helps attract visitors downtown.

Neuseway Nature Park and the Nature Center is open all year. For more information on operating hours or park activities, call the Nature Center at 252-939-3367.