CityView Magazine

16 July 2022 FEATURE Chill out at Smith Lake Beach The recreation area on Fort Bragg offers swimming and water activities for military families and their guests BY JAMI MCL AUGHLIN PHOTOGRAPHY BY TONY WOOTEN Y ou don't have to travel to the coast to spend time on a sandy beach, splash around in the water and relax in a lounge chair. Fort Bragg's Smith Lake Beach has a swimming area and water activities — including paddleboarding and pedal boats — for military families and their guests. e 67-acre, man-made lake features a full beach, an inflatable in-water obstacle course, kayaking, stand-up paddleboards and pedal boats. Smith Lake Recreation Area closed in 2016 aer Hurricane Matthew caused major damage. Fort Bragg made storm repairs and addressed erosion control, and the facility reopened last year. In its opening weekend this year, more than 2,000 people enjoyed the beach and sun while grilling hot dogs, drinking lemonade and finding shade in one of the upgraded pavilions available for rent. James Day, the outdoor recreation branch chief for Fort Bragg Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation, says the recent improvements included making the recreation area fully compliant with the Americans With Disabilities Act. New amenities include walkways from the gate to the beach, upgraded locker rooms and mats on the beach for wheelchair access. Day said future plans could include a beach expansion, more pavilions and a concert space or amphitheater. On a recent Friday, Sgt. Shane Houle and his wife, Kim, were busy chasing their children around the water and sand — including a toddler who was enthralled with going in and out of the surf. e Houles brought their family — including sons Jamison, 9; Tristan, 5; and Desmond, 1 — to play in the waves as a break from packing boxes ahead of their upcoming move to Maryland. Shane and Kim are high school sweethearts from Raleigh. Kim says she found out about Smith Lake on social media.

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