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Welcome to the October 2026 edition of The Loop, the official newsletter of the Town of Wrightsville Beach, keeping you in the loop.
I am pleased to share exciting news about an investment in one of Wrightsville Beach’s most valued community assets, the John T. Nesbitt Loop. Through the New Hanover Community Endowment’s recent grant awards, the Town of Wrightsville Beach has received $1.5 million to support the first phase of Loop improvements.
This grant funding will be used to design a wider, safer, and more accessible Loop, in addition to installing a new path through Wrightsville Beach Park that will better connect Causeway Drive and Salisbury Street. This new path will also help provide a smaller “loop” for users while the full Loop is disconnected as a result of the NCDOT’s bridge replacement project.
The Loop is more than a recreational amenity. It is a place where neighbors connect, families spend time together, and community members enjoy an active, healthy lifestyle. This investment represents an important first step toward preserving and enhancing that experience for future generations.
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McKinley "Ken" Dull
Mayor, Town of Wrightsville Beach
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Pictured: Sunrise over the Intracoastal.
Photos by Valerie Dieling.
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October Board of Aldermen Meeting Date Change
The October Board of Aldermen Meeting has been moved to Wednesday, October 14, at 5:30 p.m. in the Town Council Chambers.
To view the current Boards and Committees 2026 Meeting Schedules, please visit the Town of Wrightsville Beach website.
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Sea Oat Harvest Underway
The Parks Maintenance team are harvesting sea oats on the north and south ends of the beach, along with several volunteers.
Sea oats play a crucial role in building and stabilizing our dune system, helping the dunes trap and hold sand over time. Healthy dunes are our community's first line of defense against the ocean, providing protection from coastal erosion.
This year's harvest has been slim, possibly due to drought conditions we experienced during the summer, impacting seed production. The collected seeds will contribute to the long-term health and resilience of Wrightsville Beach's shoreline.
| Pictured: Public Works harvesting sea oats. | | |
The following is a summary of reports by WBPD. This information is a matter of public record and reflects activities within town limits during the month of September.
Incidents: 47
Arrests: 50
Charges: 82
Speeding stops: 129
Noise Violations: 11
DWIs: 17
Traffic Stops: 295
| Pictured: September Coffee with a Cop flyer. | | | |
Update from Chief Holland
As we move into fall, the Wrightsville Beach Fire Department remains focused on readiness, training, and delivering exceptional service to our community.
Following a busy summer of fire, EMS, and ocean rescue responses, our team is reviewing operations, enhancing training, and preparing for seasonal changes. Key priorities include ongoing emergency response training, implementation of the NERIS reporting system, and planning for the upcoming bridge replacement project to help ensure reliable emergency access and response.
We also encourage residents to check smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers as part of their fall safety routine.
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Ocean Rescue - Lifeguard Staffing
Wrightsville Beach Ocean Rescue is no longer staffing lifeguard stands.
- Trucks + ATVs will continue to patrol daily from 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
- If you need emergency assistance and a lifeguard isn’t nearby, call 911.
- Stay out of the inlets and off the jetty wall. Dangerous currents and hazardous conditions can exist in these areas 24/7, despite weather and other contributing factors.
Enjoy the beach, stay aware of your surroundings, and help us keep our community safe this fall!
| Pictured: WBOR lifeguards on ATVs. Photo by Marshall Morgan. | | Complete the Parks & Recreation Needs Assessment Survey | | |
The Parks and Recreation Needs Assessment Survey is complete and requires your input!
Responses to this survey will be used to develop the 2028 – 2033 Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Master Plan for the Town of Wrightsville Beach.
Parks & Recreation Needs Assessment Public Input Sessions to be held at Town Hall Council Chambers:
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Tuesday, October 20th at 6:00 p.m.
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Wednesday, October 21st at 6:00 p.m.
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Monday, October 26th at 5:30 p.m.
| | Pictured: Bark in the Park flyer. | | Pictured: Flu Shots flyer. | | Pictured: Bike Rodeo flyer. | | Pictured: Movies in the Park flyer. | | |
A New Way to Workout - Fitness Dance!
Fitness Dance is a session-based fitness class that takes place Wednesdays, through November 4, from 6:00 – 7:15 pm. Pre-registration is required.
Who’s ready to have some fun and get in a workout all at the same time?!
The feel-good break in your week we've all been desperately needing. Come move, sweat, and dance your stress away in a welcoming very beginner-friendly class designed for all fitness levels. No dance experience needed! Simply bring your energy and get ready to have a blast dancing to upbeat music while getting in a great workout. This class is all about feeling good, building confidence, and enjoying movement in a supportive, judgment-free space. Michaela Basilio Batten leads this class where you can expect a mix of cardio, strength, stretch, easy-to-follow routines, great vibes, and nonstop fun that will leave you smiling and energized long after class ends. Whether you’re looking to stay active, meet new people, or simply do something for yourself each week, this class is the perfect excuse to let loose and enjoy the music. Come as you are — and leave feeling stronger, happier, and refreshed!
| Pictured: Fitness dance class. | | Join Us for Ongoing Fitness Classes | | |
Get moving with Wrightsville Beach Parks & Recreation! Whether you're looking to build strength, improve flexibility, boost your energy, or stay active with friends, our fitness classes offer something for everyone.
Led by experienced instructors in a fun and welcoming environment, these classes make it easy to prioritize your health and wellness.
Check out our ongoing fitness classes and find the perfect class for you!
- Cardio Crunch
- Tone, Strengthen, & Stretch
- Tai Chi
- Dynamic Core Conditioning
- Vinyasa (Power) Yoga
- Hatha (Gentle) Yoga
| | Stay active and meet your neighbors or visitors! | | |
🍂 October Happenings Around Town 🍂
Fall is officially here, and October is packed with community fun, outdoor activities, family events, and seasonal celebrations. Be sure to mark your calendars!
Friday, October 2
Wrightsville Beach Elementary School Fall Festival in the Park
Enjoy an afternoon of games, activities, and fall fun from 4:15 - 6:15 p.m.
Saturday, October 3
Bark in the Park
Bring your furry friends and join the fun! The day begins at 11:00 a.m.
Wednesday, October 7
Wrightsville Beach Elementary School Walk & Bike to School Day
Start the morning off right by walking or biking to school. The bike/ walk starts at 7:00 a.m.
Thursday, October 8
Meet the Manager
Chat with Town Manager Haynes Brigman in the Town Council Chambers at 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday, October 14
Flu Shot Clinic
Stay healthy this season. Flu shots will be available from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Friday, October 16
IRONMAN Bike Check-In
Athletes can check in their bikes from 9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Saturday, October 17
IRONMAN Race Day
The action begins bright and early with race start at 7:10 a.m.
Sunday, October 18
Wrightsville Beach Bicycle Rodeo
A fun-filled afternoon of bike safety, skills, and family activities from 2:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday, October 21
Coffee with a Cop
FREE COFFEE with WBPD! 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. at the Lumina Wrightsville Beach.
Saturday, October 24
Seaside Shuffle 5K
Lace up your running shoes and hit the course at 8:00 a.m.
Thursday, October 29
Performance Club Presents: Trolls in the Park
Enjoy an evening of music and colorful fun beginning at 5:30 p.m.
Friday, October 30
Movies in the Park: Ghostbusters Afterlife
Grab a blanket, bring the family, and enjoy a movie under the stars at 6:45 p.m.
| | Sea Turtle Season Wrap-Up | |
Wrightsville Beach's 2026 sea turtle nesting season has come to a close.
Thanks to the dedicated efforts of the Wrightsville Beach Sea Turtle Project (WBSTP), residents, visitors, and volunteers, all 15 loggerhead sea turtle nests hatched successfully this season.
| Pictured: Sea turtle hatchlings. | |
The success of this year's nesting season directly reflects the community's commitment to protecting these endangered animals.
By reducing beachfront lighting, removing obstacles from the beach, filling in holes, knocking down sandcastles, and respecting marked nesting areas, residents and visitors helped create safer conditions for nesting turtles and emerging hatchlings.
The Wrightsville Beach Sea Turtle Project extends its sincere appreciation to everyone who supported sea turtle conservation efforts this year. From reporting turtle activity and following beach-friendly practices to volunteering time and resources, these initiatives helped sea turtle hatchlings make their way to the Atlantic Ocean.
As another remarkable nesting season comes to an end, we celebrate the many hatchlings that reached the ocean and look forward to welcoming loggerhead sea turtles back to Wrightsville Beach next summer.
For more information about sea turtle conservation and nesting activity, visit the Wrightsville Beach Sea Turtle Project (WBSTP) website. If you encounter a sea turtle nest, a nesting turtle, or a turtle that appears injured, sick, or in danger, please contact the WBSTP at (833) 488-7853.
| | Beach-Nesting Birds: A Successful 2026 Season | The Audubon Society of North Carolina is celebrating another successful summer in Wrightsville Beach. Thanks to the cooperation and support of the community, the coastal birds were able to nest, raise their young, and thrive in our protected nesting bird sanctuary. | Pictured: Common Tern adult and chick. | |
Throughout the season, community members respected posted nesting areas and symbolic fencing, helping to provide a safe environment for nesting birds and their chicks. The Audubon Society extends its gratitude to everyone who helped protect the nesting area by observing posted restrictions, giving birds plenty of space, and taking the time to appreciate these remarkable shorebirds from a respectful distance.
The success of this year's nesting season is a testament to what can be accomplished when a community shares the shore responsibly. Every person who respected the protected areas played a role in helping these birds successfully raise the next generation.
The symbolic fencing and signage around the bird nesting area will be removed on October 1, at 5:00 p.m.
Interested in learning more? Visit the Audubon Society's Wrightsville Beach Bird Stewards program at https://www.audubon.org/north-carolina/projects/wrightsville-beach-bird-stewards.
Thank you for helping keep Wrightsville Beach a welcoming home for beach-nesting birds. We look forward to another successful season next year!
| | | Lost Pet? A Microchip Scanner Can Help Bring Them Home | | |
With pets allowed on Wrightsville Beach from October 1 through March 31, now is the perfect time to remind pet owners about a valuable community resource located outside the Wrightsville Beach Public Safety Building: a 24/7 Pet Microchip Scanning Station donated by Heidi's Hope for Homeless Animals, Inc.
According to Trish Arnold, Founder of Heidi's Hope, one in three pets will go missing at some point in their lifetime. Because pets can't tell someone where they belong, a microchip can be a critical tool in helping reunite lost animals with their families.
| Pictured: Pet Microchip Scanner instructions sign. | | |
The scanner is free and accessible 24/7 to use. If you find a lost pet, simply follow the instructions at the station to check for a microchip. When scanning, slowly move the scanner over the pet's entire body, starting at the top of the head and working down toward the feet. Microchips are typically implanted behind the neck, between the shoulder blades, but they can migrate over time and may be found in other areas of the body. A thorough scan provides the best chance of detecting a chip.
If a microchip is detected, scan the QR code provided at the station. The QR code will identify the microchip company associated with the chip. Call the company and provide the microchip number, and they will contact the pet's registered owner directly. This process highlights the importance of keeping your pet's microchip registration information current. An outdated phone number or address can delay or prevent a successful reunion.
If no chip is found, the station provides guidance on additional steps that can help reunite the animal with its family.
| Pictured: Pet Microchip Scanning Station at Wrightsville Beach Public Safety. | |
This community resource helps reunite pets with their families more quickly and may even prevent animals from entering an already crowded shelter system.
As you and your pet enjoy beach walks this fall and winter, remember:
- Pets are permitted on Wrightsville Beach from October 1 through March 31.
- Pets must be leashed at all times.
- Make sure your pet's microchip registration information is up to date.
Not a Wrightsville Beach resident? Additional pet microchip scanner stations are available throughout New Hanover County:
- Wilmington Police Department
- Carolina Beach Police Department
- Long Leaf Park
- Smith Creek Park
- Echo Farms Park
A lost pet can't call home, but a microchip can help tell their story and guide them back to the people who love them. Thanks to Heidi's Hope for Homeless Animals, lost pets in our community have another pathway home.
For more information on pet rules, ordinances, and guidelines, visit our "Pets on Wrightsville Beach" webpage.
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Board of Aldermen Meeting
September 8, 2026
Next Meeting:
Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at 5:30 pm in the Town Council Chambers
| (Click On Video Below to Watch a Replay of the Board of Aldermen Meeting.) | | BRIDGE REPLACEMENT BULLETIN | | | |
NCDOT Bridge Replacement Project in Wrightsville Beach
NEXT MEETING:
Monday, October 5, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. in the Wrightsville Beach Public Safety Building Conference Room
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) plans to replace three aging bridges in Wrightsville Beach as part of a single project (Project HB-0040), and repairs are no longer a long-term solution.
What’s Changing:
- Causeway Drive Bridge (US 76): Will be rebuilt as a 4-lane bridge.
- The Two Bridges on West Salisbury Street (US 74): Each will be rebuilt as 2-lane bridges.
The new bridges will be built in roughly the same location as the current ones. While no new car lanes will be added, the new designs will improve access for pedestrians and cyclists with:
- 10–12-foot multi-use paths
- 6-foot bike lanes
Project Timeline:
Currently, the project remains in the design stage, and the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has begun the process of right-of-way acquisition for the project.
The NCDOT conducted geotechnical boring work on the longer West Salisbury Street Bridge in April of 2026, to take samples of the soil, ahead of the start of construction. This same work was done on the Causeway Drive Bridge and will be completed on June 26, weather permitting.
NCDOT will begin utility relocation July of 2026, starting on the West Salisbury Street Bridge over Kenan’s Creek, which may involve lane closures. This work is critical to prepare the area for the replacement of the bridge. More information will be provided when it becomes available.
At this time, construction of the smaller bridge on West Salisbury Street is expected to begin in the fall of 2026.
Beginning in the fall, when bridge construction starts, the Heide Trask Drawbridge will open only on the hour to help manage traffic flow during the project.
Following the Lees Cut Bridge work, utility relocation and bridge construction on the Long Salisbury Street Bridge over Banks Channel and the Causeway Drive Bridge over Banks Channel are expected to occur concurrently.
To maintain access to and from Wrightsville Beach, the Causeway Drive Bridge will be constructed in phases. A new bridge will first be built just north of the existing Causeway Drive Bridge. Once completed, traffic will be shifted onto the new structure, allowing the current bridge to be demolished and the second phase of the new bridge to be built. The two phases will then be connected to function as a single bridge once complete.
Throughout the construction project of all three bridges, at least two travel lanes in each direction will remain open, ensuring access on and off the beach island at all times. Boat traffic will also be able to continue navigating the waterway throughout the duration of the project.
Town Action & Community Involvement
Though this is a NCDOT project, the Town of Wrightsville Beach is actively involved to ensure the community’s voice is heard throughout the planning and construction process. The Wrightsville Beach Chamber of Commerce also has a representative ex officio to represent all Wrightsville Beach businesses.
Key Town Efforts Include:
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Bridge Replacement Committee: Formed by the Board of Aldermen, this committee includes six residents, three ex officio members, and four Town staff. Its mission is to gather public input, review project updates, and provide recommendations to the Board and NCDOT.
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Transportation Consultant: Was hired by the Town to support the committee and staff. The consultant is helping with NCDOT communications, traffic studies, emergency service access, and technical project guidance.
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The Town has hired an emergency response consultant to assist with planning and preparation for emergency situations. The emergency response consultant will share a presentation at the next meeting.
Wrightsville Beach is committed to keeping residents informed and minimizing disruptions throughout the duration of this important infrastructure project.
For more information and FAQs on the Bridge Replacement Project, click here to visit our website.
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Curious about how something works in the Town of Wrightsville Beach?
Whether it’s about town services, processes, or operations, we’re here to help keep you informed!
Use our fillable form to ask your question, and we’ll get back to you with an answer.
Click here to submit your question.
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321 Causeway Drive
Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480
(910) 256-7900
Visit us online townofwrightsvillebeach.com
OFFICE HOURS
Monday - Friday
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
PARKS & RECREATION
(910) 256-7925
PLANNING & INSPECTIONS
(910) 256-7937
PUBLIC WORKS
(910) 256-7935
COMMUNICATIONS
(910) 239-1712
POLICE NON-EMERGENCY
(910) 452-6120
FIRE NON-EMERGENCY
(910) 256-7920
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This month we are recognizing Hope Payne!
Hope has been with the Town of Wrightsville Beach for 4 years and serves as the Police Department's Administrative Specialist.
She spent part of her childhood in North Yorkshire, England, growing up with a U.S. Air Force father and Scottish mother. Today, Hope proudly calls North Carolina home where she lives with her husband, 2 children, and family dog.
Hope's support helps to keep the Police and Fire Department running smoothly. If you see her in the front office at Public Safety, make sure to say hello!
Thank you, Hope, for your contributions to the Town of Wrightsville Beach.
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