Folly River Park work continues

Work is continuing on upgrades at Folly River Park.

Folly Beach received more than $400,000 in grant money and donations for improvements to Folly River Park, said Folly Beach City Administrator Toni Connor-Rooks, and the tabby walkway being built will cost about $43,000.

In addition to more than $200,000 the city received from state and federal grants, donations to the park included a resident's contribution of $60,000, which funded construction of the pavilion stage, and donations by the city's volunteer firefighters for the park bathrooms.

The pier recently was renovated to make it compliant with the Americans With Disabilities Act, using city operation and maintenance funds.

Once the walkway is complete, the city will bid out for landscaping and provisions will be put in place for stormwater runoff, Connor-Rooks said.

City Council recently postponed a decision on which company will replace the bulkhead, the retaining wall that separates the marsh area from the higher park land.

The city is considering adding a wall bordering the park on East Indian Avenue for possible angled car parking, Folly Mayor Carl Beckmann said. These improvements are part of the original plan for the park, he said.