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Board authorizes staff to explore land swap with Jacksonville for baseball field and parkland

Onslow County Board of Education · December 3, 2025

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Summary

Onslow County Schools staff were authorized to work with the City of Jacksonville to map and size parcels for a proposed exchange that could transfer a baseball field currently used by the Jacksonville Ospreys to the city in return for Woodlands Park and other small parcels.

The Onslow County Board of Education voted to authorize staff to work with representatives of the City of Jacksonville to determine the location and dimensions of parcels under consideration for a potential land exchange.

Dr. Gartner told the board that a 2011 agreement with the city allowed development on school-owned land at Clyde Erwin Elementary but that the agreement expired after 10 years. He said the baseball field now sits within Onslow County Schools property and is used primarily by the Jacksonville Ospreys. Dr. Gartner noted potential conflicts with Onslow County Schools policies (5030, community use of facilities, and 5025, prohibition of drugs and alcohol on school property) and cited North Carolina law prohibiting sale and consumption of alcohol on public school property as a compliance concern.

To address those concerns while allowing the Ospreys to continue game-day activities, staff proposed the district ask the city to accept permanent ownership of the baseball field in exchange for transferring Woodlands Park, a 32.46-acre tract adjacent to Parkwood Elementary, to Onslow County Schools. Dr. Gartner also described consideration of a very small parcel near Thompson Elementary (approximately 100–150 square feet) where a boardwalk from a city trail currently terminates on school property; staff described that parcel as a potential liability and candidate for transfer.

Board members moved, seconded and approved a motion authorizing staff to work with city representatives to determine parcel boundaries and dimensions and to continue informal talks, including possible surveying and cost-sharing, before any final transfer. The motion passed by voice vote.