Master plan for Folly protects heritage

The northern tip of Folly Beach is an overgrown area blocked by an access gate that's easy to walk past. There's graffiti on the concrete blocks that once comprised a Coast Guard station. Broken beer bottles and empty cigarette packs line the footpath. Residents are familiar with the sounds of the boisterous parties that people throw there illegally.

That could change when and if the Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission master plan takes effect. The plan, when finalized, will be presented to the city of Charleston for input and approval. The plan calls for an interpretive center, a parking area with about 50 spaces and boardwalks that would overlook the marsh. Most areas would retain their natural flora and fauna.

"We have tried to look at the area — and Morris Island and Long Island — as one big preserve," said Charleston County PRC Executive Director Tom O'Rourke. It's all the same story. It's the Civil War — people died out there all over, and it's not site-specific."

O'Rourke said it was important to the PRC to maintain the area's character when the Lighthouse Inlet Heritage Preserve was first devised.

A controlled access gate would be installed, and Ashley Avenue would be extended into the old Coast Guard station. Park entry would be free, but there would be a parking fee.

The PRC plans to phase in the project. There's no timeline on when the project would be completed until the commission has funds for it. No pricetag will be available until the plan is finalized, likely in early August, said Julie Hensley, director of development for the PRC. Funding could come from the PRC capital improvement program or a bond.

In May, developer Bobby Ginn of Ginn Resorts agreed to sell the private part of Morris Island to the city of Charleston for $1.5 million less than the agreed price of $4.5 million. Under the new deal, the Charleston County PRC could keep the $1.5 million and apply that money toward the purchase of Long Island.

Long Island, a series of islands with 140 acres of high land stretching over 2.5 miles among James, Peas, Oak, Morris and Folly islands, is privately owned by K&A Acquisitions Group.

O'Rourke said the PRC hopes to use the old Coast Guard building's concrete foundations for construction of the new staffed interpretive center. Bike and walking paths will be heavily emphasized. The beach will not undergo any changes, according to the master plan.

"This is not going to be the place where you go to the beach and do all those activities," O'Rourke said.

The PRC hopes to partner with the National Park Service and Folly Beach government to get the project going, although the commission would be in charge of maintaining the park. The PRC has owned the land since the late '80s, but the area hasn't been staffed.

Under the current draft of the plan, Morris Island would undergo few and minimal changes.

"There were those that thought (the area) should be less touched, and there were some that thought there should be more (amenities)," O'Rourke said. The plan strikes a nice balance, he said.