Due to the heavy erosion caused by Hurricane Irene, Folly Beach County Park will remain closed to the general public through the end of 2011. A structural evaluation is planned and once conducted will assist staff in determining the steps needed before reopening the park in 2012.
Rentals of the Pelican Watch Shelter located at the park will continue as planned; however, rental attendees will be restricted to the shelter area and beach in close proximity to the shelter. Charleston County Park & Recreation Commission events and programs scheduled at the park will also continue as planned.
“The storm did significant damage to most of Folly Beach County Park,” said CCPRC Director of Operations Phil Macchia. “We are currently addressing the damage issues and undergoing an agency-wide effort to clean the beach. Our goal is to work with the proper authorities to get this treasure back open to the public and we are doing everything we can to make that happen.”
Folly Beach County Park is owned and operated by the Charleston County Park & Recreation Commission (CCPRC). Folly Beach County Park is located at 1100 West Ashley Avenue, on the west end of Folly Island and situated between the Atlantic Ocean and the Folly River.
CCPRC’s Edwin S. Taylor Folly Beach Fishing Pier, located at 101 E. Arctic Ave. on the island, is still open to the general public as scheduled for fishing walking, and birding. CCPRC’s other two beach parks, Isle of Palms County Park and Kiawah Beachwalker Park, are open for normal operations and did not sustain damage from Hurricane Irene.
