The staff and volunteers at Goose Creek State Park have been busy over the winter months making preparations for visitors who flock to the park once warmer weather arrives.

It’s been a group effort, according to park superintendent John Fullwood.

“We’re trying to do stuff that we can in-house with staff and volunteers to make the park more user friendly, more comfortable and more inviting.”

Visitors to the park campground will be especially pleased with recent changes and improvements, Fullwood noted.

“We’ve put in new fire rings, and we’re installing elevated tent pads,” he said. “We’ve added two sites to the tent campground that can accommodate small, pop-up campers. And we’ve added a second group camp site which will be available for use soon.”

Those larger sites are a hit with Scout troops and church groups.

Another addition to the park, sure to be enjoyed by visitors this summer, is a small amphitheater, which will be used for cookouts and special programs.

In 2014 the park implemented prescribed burns on about 600 acres, Fullwood added.

“Some plants depend on fire to reproduce and thrive,” Fullwood explained.

And prescribed burning has opened up the area near the park’s popular swim beach, resulting in an open area that is conducive to pleasant, gentle breezes off the Pamlico River.

Joining Fullwood and other park staff in the endeavors have been faithful volunteers, members of the Friends of Goose Creek State Park organization.

Not only do its members pitch in whenever and wherever they’re needed, they also keep the park’s visitor center gift shop well-stocked with a variety of souvenirs including a collection of stuffed animals, embroidered patches, books, hats, shirts, postcards and handcrafted walking sticks.

Money raised through the sales of those items is used for interpretative and educational materials and supplies used in the park’s regular series of programs, all of which are offered free to the public,Fullwood said.

For more information about Goose Creek State Park and its schedule of special programs and events, call 252-923-2191