Sea Oats Park

I love a good park as much as the next parent with children, but this outdoor recreational area is just not quite up to par. Don't get me wrong, it has a beautiful setting among tall pines and offers a tranquil area free of noise and little traffic. The Southern Shores Civic Association maintains the park and is responsible for any improvements through association dues. The park has been present for at least six years and do not think it's over ten years. The very best thing that I can say about the park is that there is one at all. I would consider Sea Oats a neighborhood park and to my knowledge there is not another one until you get to Duck to the North and it's superior. The fact that Southern Shores donated this valuable piece of land for the use of a park is commendable.Let's start with the best of what is here. Recently improvements were made to the single hoop basketball court and there were signifigant. New concrete was poured and a Goalzilla adjustable hoop with glass back was installed. These hoops are the BEST and are around $1,500.Parking is the first item that is less than desirable. Only around a half dozen spots exist on the hard surface. However this may not be a problem as the park is rarely busy. A bike rack exist and is a plus as many children use this mode of transport around the beach.There is also some wood play equipment, plastic slide and a swing set... ages 10 and under appropriate for play area. Although the swings can be up to adult and they do have a single one for a toddler. Biggest room for improvement that would really enhance the park is upgraded equipment, they have plenty of room.There is also a very large field for soccer and a single goal. On the day I visited it was not maintained and in desperate need of mowing. I doubt that any games are played here, but assume practices for local teams take place at this location.The biggest negative are lack of a restroom facility, not even a port a potty which I would recommend be leased as a more reasonable option to construction of a facility.Other improvements that could take place are a few trash cans and additional picnic tables (only two). I picked up debris around the BB court and placed it in the roll out dumpster by the road. There is one for trash, another for recycling. Check it out for yourself and draw your own opinions. I am at a 2.5 rounding down. However, I can see parents of young children bumping this up and understandably so. Even at a 2 I am still recommending Sea Oats due to the scarcity of parks with playground equipment in the area. My assumption is the BB court is one of many improvements planned for the small park.