September 2015 Thoughts and Happenings

Welcome to the September Folly Beach Living Newsletter! The newsletter, below, contains my monthly real estate update, my featured listing, and a calendar of events for the next month.

In addition to the newsletter, I'd like to share some current updates and info related to Folly. Read on for information on the Rethink Folly Road Project, Folly Beach's latest on parks and recreation, as well as some local fun.

Folly Road Corridor
This month's newsletter comes as the Folly Road Corridor discussions and plans continue. In the spring, six local and state government organizations began searching for ways to improve Folly Road by gathering input from the people who use it the most. Comments gathered at those meetings overwhelmingly addressed bicycle, pedestrian, and transit infrastructure rather than improving car traffic. Combining those suggestions and the recommendations from a team of urban planners, the coalition presented last week a detailed proposal to "Rethink Folly Road" from the Wappoo Bridge to Folly Beach. Aside from ideas for beautification and improving traffic for bicyclists, pedestrians, and cars, longer-term ideas include setting up a special "Folly Trolly" that would shuttle beachgoers from a park- and- ride location to Folly Beach using a dedicated bus lane. Bicyclists and pedestrians might eventually enjoy a marsh boardwalk connecting James Island to the beach. Regardless of the final plan, the long neglected Folly Road corridor will benefit from improvement. You can read more here: Post & Courier article, "A Better Way Forward for Folly Road".
*Those who didn't attend the meeting can still submit comments on the plan at follyroad.mindmixer.com. Rethink Folly Road will incorporate those suggestions in the final plan, which is expected to be released in December.

Folly's Parks and Recreation Update
In the past decade, Folly has made great strides in creating and planning parks around the island. Charleston County Parks and Recreation Commission (CCPRC) boasts 5 parks on Folly with 2 having been acquired in more recent years. They are the old Coast Guard Station and the contiguous oceanfront lots at 2nd and East Arctic. The old Coast Guard Station (now called the Lighthouse Inlet Heritage Preserve) will be a low density development with a few boardwalks, an observation tower for viewing the Morris Island Lighthouse and Fort Sumter, plus an information kiosk. In fact, after hiring noted biologist Billie McCord to inventory the site, it was found to be loaded with endangered plants and animals in addition to being a major shorebird sanctuary. The East Side oceanfront lot development has been stymied until new funds can be secured since available money was used to fund the McLeod Plantation preservation. The City has developed the Folly River Park, Pirates' Cove and Wave Watch playgrounds, the "Bark Park", and skate park by the tennis courts. Also, it has implemented new showers at the washout and new showers, toilets and handicap access at the West 3rd Street access. Other initiatives include the redesign of the gardens around the Community Center and a passive East Shorebird Park across from 1585 E Ashley with benches and picnic tables. It is also collaborating with CCPRC to add nonmotorized craft launch sites (like kayaks & canoes) in the state rights of way which were the paths of the old Folly River and Folly Creek bridges.

Community Garden
Another new passive park is the Folly Beach Community Garden. With the help of the City of Folly Beach and The FB Exchange Club who donated the land, The Folly Green Team has begun a community garden which will be located on W. Michigan Ave. just west of Sandbar Lane. The plot is intended to provide a site where residents can relax and/or tend a garden. It will include (16) 4 x 8 foot raised beds, fruit trees, benches, and a gazebo. These beds will be offered on a first come, first serve basis for a yearly fee of $100. The Green Team is also providing a list of rules for the space as well as a code of conduct while working at the garden. A support crew has been established to help get the most out of your plot. Any interested Folly residents should contact Teresa Marshall at: teresa.marshall56@hotmail.com.

Rain Barrels
Rain Barrels are being made available to Folly Beach residents for $69. The Ivy Rain barrel is made in NC of 100% recycled plastic and allows you to capture rainwater for all your outdoor non- potable uses. Contact Marty Morganello at mmorganello@gmail.com to buy your rain barrel and have it delivered to your door.

Folly Humor For a Cause
Finally, regardless of your political leanings, I think we can all agree that Folly hasn't lost it's sense of humor. Check out the First National Trump Impersonation and Campaign Contest on Sat. Oct. 10th at 3pm at Lockklears (101 E. Arctic Ave.). Wounded Nature - Working Veterans are taking advantage of the hilarity that is Donald Trump running for president by holding an impersonation and campaign contest in which Trump wannabes give 30-second speeches on why people should donate to Wounded Nature - Working Veterans as part of their coastal cleanup efforts. The winner of the contest walks away with $100. Rumor has it Trump himself might show up as a judge.

And for those that are still getting to know the island, check out my video. It has lots of informative info and footage of Folly. Here's the link: Folly Beach Video.

I hope you've found this month's newsletter both informative and interesting. As always, please let me know if you have any comments or recommendations. I want to hear from you!

Ulf

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