Glynn County announces plan for second phase of Neptune Park improvements

The St. Simons Island pier and Neptune Park will be getting a facelift this winter, according to the Glynn County Commission. The commission recently announced the second and final phase of the Neptune Park improvement plan, which includes updates and enhancements to the pier, playground area, oceanside walk and picnic area.

The work continues the improvements made in 2008-09 during Phase I, which was completed in May 2009 with the opening of the Neptune Park Fun Zone. The Fun Zone includes an oceanside pool, miniature golf, playground and concession stand.

The St. Simons Island pier will get a new stainless steel roof, new railings, sea turtle-friendly lighting, a low masonry seat wall and shade structures, and new concrete pavers at the pier entrance. In addition, the "Johnson rocks" around and beneath the pier will be replenished.

The nearby playground area will get a new toddler playground, replacing the existing structure. Permeable concrete pavers will be place beneath the live oak tree, and the current seating area will be replaced.

Along the oceanfront, the walkway will be upgraded with concrete pavers and turtle-friendly lighting, similar to that installed near the Fun Zone and St. Simons Island Lighthouse. New bike racks, benches and a gazebo will be placed along the walkway, and Georgia Power will relocate existing overhead wiring and install new streetlights.

At the picnic area, the existing flag stones beneath the live oaks will be replaced with permeable pavers. The small barbecue grills will be replaced; the large brick grill and existing picnic tables will remain.

Park-wide improvements will include additional benches and trash receptacles throughout the park, landscape enhancements and a new irrigation system.

Neptune Park is traditionally the social center of St. Simons Island, drawing tens of thousands of people each year for fishing, swimming, picnics and a variety of special events. The improvements are making a great thing even better, according to local resident Pat Morris.

"The improvements to Neptune Park, particularly the pool, have been great," Morris said. "I was here when the old pool was being used; in fact, my kids grew up using that pool. However, there was never the usage with that pool that we saw with the new one this summer. It was great.

"I know many are against change in any form, but change is going to happen; we can either stand by and let it or take charge and control it. The commissioners thought ahead and stepped in to control it. I commend them. It all speaks to the quality of life we have here on St. Simons Island."

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Neptune Park Fun Zone Open for Family Fun

St. Simons Island's newest family attraction -- the Neptune Park Fun Zone -- is open for summertime family fun.

The new recreational complex features a walk-in, multi-purpose pool; children's water park area; miniature golf course, and a brand new playground area as well as a bath house and concession stand.


The new, "multi-purpose" pool is designed to encourage use by swimmers of all ages and abilities. The southern end of the L-shaped pool, closest to the bath house, features a walk-in "beach" entry which slopes gently from 12" at the edges to 18" in the center. The northernmost section of the pool is divided into lanes for lap swimming and limited competition. Between these two sections is a smaller, 3-foot deep section for water aerobics and swimming instruction.

The pool, like the rest of the Fun Zone, is accessible to those in wheelchairs.

The children's water park area is situated between the two legs of the larger pool. It features a "water playground" complete with slides, a tipping bucket, fountains and a variety of showers, squirt guns and other water play toys. It is surrounded by a fence and landscaping to ensure limited access for young children and their caregivers.

The bath house features large restrooms with showers and changing areas, ticket offices for the pool and miniature golf course, and a concession stand called "Cap's Place."

Located on the south side of the bath house between the entrances to the pool and miniature golf course, Cap's Place is open to the public. It offers a variety of menu items including barbecue, pizza, hot dogs and boiled shrimp as well as "walk and talk" items, healthy treats, sno-cones and ice cream, cold drinks and more. Cap's Place will be open year 'round, from 11:00 am to 10:00 pm between Memorial Day and Labor Day, and from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm from Labor Day to Memorial Day. For information call 912-638-3333.


The miniature golf course features 18 holes with a "conservative" design. The mini-golf course has its own entrance, located on the west side of the bath house. Nearby is a new playground area, located at the southeast corner of the Fun Zone, next to the Neptune Park picnic area.

The new landscaping artfully incorporates the right whale sculpture which was created by sculptor Keith Jennings in 1995, and encourages close interaction.

The Neptune Park Fun Zone is located along the St. Simons Island waterfront between the lighthouse and the Casino building. Its opening marks the completion of the first phase of a two-phase master plan for the St. Simons Island waterfront.

The master plan project was designed to provide a more cohesive look for waterfront and Neptune Park. Architectural features of the new bath house complement those of the nearby A.W. Jones Heritage Center, which anchors the waterfront's north end, and the Casino building to the south.

In addition to the pool and mini-golf complex, Phase I included new landscaping and lighting, new beach crossovers, brick pavers and new benches. Phase II, which will be completed later this year, will incorporate new landscaping and other improvements that are designed to visually unify the entire Neptune Park / St. Simons Island waterfront area.

The Neptune Park Fun Zone will be open from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Public swim hours will be daily from 1:00 to 8:00 pm. The miniature golf course will be open daily from 1:00 to 9:00 pm.

The Glynn County Parks and Recreation Department will offer a variety of services and activities including American Red Cross swimming lessons and water safety courses, private swimming lessons by certified instructors, water aerobics and a novice swim team. These activities will take place primarily during mornings prior to public swimming.

All-day admission to the pool is $7.00 per person. Miniature golf is $7.00 per person per game. Season passes are available for the pool, and multi-game passes are available for miniature golf. Special group rates are available, and the complex may be rented for private functions. For information about the pool, call 912-279-3720. For information about miniature golf, call 912-279-3721.

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