[FOLLY BEACH] – Starting June 1, the Lighthouse Inlet Heritage Preserve park on the northeastern end of Folly Island will begin charging an admission fee of $1.
Owned by the Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission (CCPRC), Lighthouse Inlet Heritage Preserve lies near the former site of the old Coast Guard station and has beautiful views of the Morris Island Lighthouse. The property is regularly visited by people for uses such as lighthouse viewing, surf fishing, beachside strolls, wildlife observation and photography. The site also offers many diverse birding opportunities and is a regular site for organized bird walks.
Attendance at Lighthouse Inlet Heritage Preserve has been tallied since October 2015 via a laser tracking system. Over 10,000 people visited the property in December 2015 alone. Fees collected from visitors will help offset maintenance costs. The $1 fee will be collected via a kiosk at the trailhead, where a park map, site rules and other visitor information will be posted. These changes will make the park consistent with other unstaffed CCPRC facilities like Laurel Hill County Park and the Wannamaker North Trail.
Funds could also potentially support future planning initiatives for the property that could include improved parking, an interpretive center, open shelters, boardwalks, and other uses.
Read more about Lighthouse Inlet Heritage Preserve at the link below.
