Murrells Inlet 2007, Community Life of Murrells Inlet South Carolina

Back in July 1996, a Sun News headline read, “Inlet Identity Crisis”. It talked about restaurants closing in Murrells Inlet – nearly a dozen were closed or vacant. There was growing competition from Broadway at the Beach and other Myrtle Beach attractions. Chain restaurants arrived nearby with Sunday liquor sales – the Inlet had none. Off the coast, yields were declining and fish stocks were being depleted; thus, hampering the livelihood of Murrells Inlet fisherman. The varied Murrells Inlet associations at that time were working independently -- there was no community effort. With assistance from the South Carolina Downtown Development Association, members of the community joined efforts to formulate a vision for the village. Click 1997 Community Vision to read what has proven to be a very prophetic look at Murrells Inlet ten years later. Much has been accomplished. Much remains to be accomplished.

Some of our accomplishments include:

- building a boardwalk over the marsh,
- acquiring creek-front property to turn into a public park (Morse Landing Park),
- constructing a public crabbing dock at Morse Landing Park,
- erecting user-friendly signs throughout the inlet,
- partnering with local schools to teach our children about water quality,
- promoting area businesses,
- beautifying the area with litter clean-ups and landscaping projects,
- hosting community forums.

Some of our new goals include:

- implementing a long-term and sustainable water quality monitoring program for the inlet.
- securing public parking and completing the Veterans Pier
- renovating or rebuilding a Murrells Inlet Community Center
- completing the Bike Bridge project
- beautifying Business 17 with underground wiring, streetlighting and plantings
- making litter clean up a year-round activity
- enhancing environmental education for our residents and visitors
- promoting Murrells Inlet as a "must see" destination

Board of Directors

Whitney Hills, Chairman/Treasurer
Wayne Vereen, Vice Chairman
Kelly Dorman, Secretary
Mimi Burns
Al Hitchcock
Skeeter Nash
Sue Peters
Tom Swatzel
Jim Wilkie

Advisory Board Member
Dr. Justin Catlaldo
Beth Stedman
Leo Phelan
Lari Roper

The Board of Directors meets the first Wednesday of each month (excluding July) at 10 AM in the conference room at the Village Center at 4447 Highway 17 Business. Meetings are open to the public.

Executive Director
Susan Sledz

Volunteers

Murrells Inlet 2007 is always looking for volunteers. We have a variety of activities needing your support. Click Current Volunteer Opportunities to review descriptions of various volunteer positions. Contact us at info@murrellsinletsc.com or call 843-357-2007 if you are interested in helping in any way. Thank you!

We also partner with SC Department of Natural Resources to coordinate volunteers helping build oyster reefs. Call 843-357-2007.

Donations

Murrells Inlet 2007 relies exclusively on donations and fundraising for its ongoing operations. Donations are tax-deductible and are always welcome. Make checks payable to "Murrells Inlet 2007" and mail to PO Box 1357, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576. All donors are recognized in the quarterly "Village Scene" newsletter.

Marshwalk Plaques

Now is the opportunity for families, individuals, and businesses to revere the past, rekindle fond memories or remember loved ones -- past or present. Plaques of recognition are being offered on the marshwalk and the Veterans Pier walkway. These plaques are a permanent enhancement to the Marshwalk, and such gifts may be deducted as a charitable contribution. Click Marshwalk Plaque Order Form to download an order form. Click Plaque FAQ’s for more information.

Current News

Lost at Sea Memorial

On April 6, 2008, friends and families gathered at Morse Park Landing in Murrells Inlet to participate in the annual Lost at Sea Memorial ceremony. Two names were added in this year’s ceremony.

John W. Kneidl, born January 26, 1926, resided in Dayton, Ohio at the time of his loss on May 5, 1945. He was aboard the USS LAGARTO, a 1526 ton Balao Class Submarine. The sub was lost in the South China Sea. It has since been located by divers and it is beleived that it was struck by a depth charge at very close range. It is also believed that all members of the crew were either killed or knocked unconscious at the moment of impact. All hatches remain secured. The submarine has not been entered or invaded in any manner and still rests at the bottom of the sea.

Daniel James Phalen, born April 10, 1978, was lost ten miles off the Murrells Inlet coast on November 2, 2007, while aboard a recreational fishing boat that experienced electrical failure.

These men and all those previously added to the monument were honored at the ceremony.

The annual ceremony is held the first Sunday of April. Call 458-7671 or visit Lost at Sea Memorial for more information.

Murrells Inlet Bike Bridge

Back in 2000, Murrells Inlet 2007 partnered with Bike the Neck to construct the bike/pedestrian lanes along Business 17. The lanes now run from the Horry-Georgetown County line on the north end to Horry Drive on the south end. In May 2004 Bike the Neck turned over responsibility to Murrells Inlet 2007 to complete the stretch south of Horry Drive. This project is called the “Bike Bridge.” This section of the bikeway will connect the existing Murrells Inlet bike lanes with the Huntington Beach State Park bike path. The bridge extends over the Murrells Inlet salt marsh and provides visitors a breathtaking view of the marsh. Pedestrians and cyclists will be able to travel from the northern Georgetown/Horry County line on Highway Business 17 straight through to Pawleys Island. It will not only serve local residents, but also tourists. Huntington Beach State Park campers could easily jump on their bicycles and head up to Murrells Inlet for a meal and entertainment!

The Design: An 8’ mult-use pervious pavement bike lane extends 383’ southward from Horry Drive along the east side of Business 17 to the northern tip of the guardrail. The bike lane then heads behind the guardrail, where a 348’ long x 10’ wide bridge has been built over the marsh. The bridge stops at the southern end of the guardrail, where it is met by the Huntington Beach State Park bike path. The bridge, built in the likeness of the marshwalk, has been positioned low enough to not obstruct the marsh view enjoyed by passing automobile passengers.

The Price Tag & Funding: Total estimated cost for the bike lane paving and bridge construction is $250,000. Project funding has been provided via the Federal Highway Administration funds administered by the Grand Strand Area Transportation Study Committee (GSATS), the Recreational Trails Program administered by SC Parks, Recreation & Tourism, Georgetown County Accomodations Tax and Murrells Inlet 2007, Inc.

Current Status: The path and bridge are now open to the public. The dedication of the Bike Bridge will be celebrated on National Trails Day, June 7, 2008. See events.

Inlet Water Quality Monitoring

MI 2007 has worked with Coastal Carolina University, Georgetown County, Horry County and Surfside Beach to forge a partnership on the implementation of a volunteer water quality monitoring program for the Inlet creeks. The program is designed to promote environmental stewardship and characterize sources of land-based pollution. The findings will help meet the NPDES Phase II Stormwater Program regulation requirements of public involvement, public education and illicit discharge detection. The two counties and town of Surfside agreed on a cooperative, shared-cost approach to implementing the program. Each government entity owns the data and is accountable for fixing any problems discovered through the monitoring efforts. CCU will manage the funding, provide and maintain the equipment, process test results and make data avilable to DHEC, the government entitites and the public. MI 2007 will educate the community on the result findings. MI 2007 is now overseeing the organization of volunteer monitors. Over 30 citizens have volunteered their time to perform the monitoring. The first training session will be held on Tuesday, April 29, 2008. The program should be in full operation in Summer of 2008.

Environmental Education

Murrells Inlet 2007 uses many opportunities to enhance environmental education. Displays are set up at many community events. Most recently over 6000 visitors attended the Huntingtoon Beach State Park South Strand Wildlife & History Day where MI 2007 had materials available on litter impacts and stormwater runoff management. MI 2007 will also be set up at Spring Tide and the Blessing of the Inlet.

Community Center

In January 2007, the MI 2007 Board of Directors set as a goal the renovation or rebuild of the local community center. Over the past year, Senator Ray Cleary and Representative Vida Miller have secured $235,000 of state funding for the project. Georgetown County has pledged $250,000 of matching capital improvement funds. The county has committed to launching a study of the existing community center to assess the site and facility, gather community input, render a recommendation on the restoration vs. build new decision and develop a design and cost estimate.

Business 17 Beautification

Projects include underground wiring, street lighting and tree and flower plantings for the core commercial district. A landscaping plan is being created for Morse Landing Park. The committee has begun meeting to scope out the project. The Holiday Sweep of Business 17 is an annual litter clean up event. See events.

Promotion

Marketing and promotional funds that have been traditionally available from Georgetown County to MI 2007 have been cut. The Promotion Committee is now looking at ways to promote Murrells Inlet as a “must see destination” for visitors. We plan to add a webpage to our website to provide local business information to help address the hundreds of visitor and relocation inquires we receive for Murrells Inlet. We are alswo drafting a "fullfillment" package to answer many of those inquiries. And MI 2007 looks forward to continued support from the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce and new support from the recently-formed Georgetown County Tourism Commission to assist in promoting Murrells Inlet.

We are also looking for committee members to organize a promotional event called “Arts on the Marsh” to allow local artists the opportunity to showcase and sell their wares along the beautiful settings of the Marshwalk and Morse Park Landing.