Tree Servicein Isle of Palms, SC

Happy Fourth of July! I hope you’re planning to take part in the golf cart parade and our fireworks show. On Monday, July 4, the parade starts at 10 a.m. at 4th Avenue and Charleston Boulevard with setup starting at 9 a.m. Fireworks start at 9 p.m. at Front Beach.

Ever wonder how fireworks got associated with the July 4 holiday? The first fireworks were used as early as 200 B.C. The tradition of setting off fireworks on the Fourth of July began in Philadelphia on July 4, 1777, during the first organized celebration of Independence Day. Ship’s cannon fired a 13-gun salute in honor of the 13 colonies. The Pennsylvania Evening Post reported: “at night there was a grand exhibition of fireworks (which began and concluded with 13 rockets) on the Commons, and the city was beautifully illuminated.” That same night, the Sons of Liberty set off fireworks over Boston Common. The tradition of patriotic celebration became even more widespread after the War of 1812, in which the United States again faced Great Britain. In 1870, the U.S. Congress made July 4 a federal holiday; in 1941, the provision was expanded to grant a paid holiday to all federal employees.

What’s the Latest?

Drainage –

Construction of two of three major projects – the outfalls at 30th and 36th avenues – has begun. This project will significantly help our stormwater runoff management. This work will disrupt part of the Harbor Golf Course through the end of June and require road closures in August for Waterway and 30th and in October for Waterway and 36th. We will be posting notices to our residents in these areas and via social media and the Island Eye as we get closer to these dates.

These road closures were scheduled intentionally to avoid peak summer crowds. Also, since we are in hurricane season, our contractor is aware of our needs should an evacuation arise and provisions will be made to cover any open road areas in the event of an evacuation.

Underground Utility Conversion –

The city has been working with Dominion Energy to identify areas we can move the overhead utility lines underground during the next few years.

The first project will be at 21st and Palm Blvd. and construction is scheduled for Fall/Winter 2022. We have other undergrounding projects scheduled for the near future and we will update you as we make progress on those.

Comprehensive Drainage Master Plan –

The next phase(s) of our drainage work is still scheduled to be completed by year end. Our vendor is conducting an island wide review to identify and plan for improvements in high priority areas.

Rec Center –

We are seeking proposals from interested bidders for the construction of improvements to the outdoor basketball courts and a new pickleball court.

Proposals are due to the city by early July with construction planned for this Fall.

Marina –

Lots happening at our Marina! The Islander 71 is open, and the crowds are large and the views are great! Also, I hope you have had a chance to use the new public dock or take part in the Explorer Series for Residents. In partnership with Coastal Expeditions, we have developed a series of six itineraries exclusively for Isle of Palms residents. Learn more about the place you call home and how to enjoyably explore it on your own. The outings depart from the new IOP Public Dock at the Marina. Reservations are on a first-come, firstserved basis, and each is limited to 15 participants.

These will be free for IOP residents. Residents will be expected to show proof of residency or proof of ownership upon arrival. The dates for additional outings will be released this month. More details are available at iop.net.

You may recall the city received a letter requestingapproval of assignment of the existing leases held by Marina Joint Ventures, Inc. and Marina Outpost, LLC with the city of Isle of Palms to Morgan Creek LLC, same ownership group that owns Bohicket, Old Village Yacht Club, St. Johns Yacht Harbor and Seabreeze marinas. We continue to have discussions and review due diligence information with the potential new marina operator.

Since any assignment requires the city’s prior consent, we have begun our due diligence review process and arehopeful to have this process completed soon.

SCDOT –

1) We requested SCDOT add a camera to their 511 system at Palm Boulevard and 14th Avenue. Our camera pointing toward the IOP Connector bridge has been a part of the system for some time. The recent addition will allow you to view down Palm Boulevard towards 21st Avenue. Hopefully, this will help as you plan you trips around and off the island more efficiently.

2) The study being done on the bridge is progressing well. SCDOT’s consultant continues to collect traffic counts and observe traffic flows during our peak season. They are still on target to come back in the fall with recommendations for alternative bridge configurations.

Upcoming Events

July 4 – Parade at 10 a.m. starting at 4th Avenue and Charleston and Fireworks at 9 p.m. at Front Beach.

July 21 – Farmers market at Rec Center.

July 23 – IOP Beach Run.

July 29 – Coffee with the Mayor – At 9 a.m. on the last Friday of every month, I am hosting coffee with residents who wish to talk about city projects, issues and concerns. To support local businesses, the locations will rotate around venues on our island – however, during our busy season, we will host this at City Hall, second floor or the Rec Center.

You can find information for upcoming meetings on the IOP website Calendar (IOP.net) under Upcoming Events.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve! See you around the island.

Phillip Pounds, Mayor

843-252-5359

ppounds@iop.net

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The South Carolina barrier island just 30 minutes from Charleston may just be the area’s best-kept secret.

Swaths of uninterrupted white-sand beach, the smell of salty spray, warm sun on your skin, and the rustle of palm fronds gently blowing in the wind—these are the sights, sounds, and scents of Isle of Palms. The South Carolina barrier island packs a lot of relaxation and big fun into a vacation destination that's just seven miles long and one mile wide. The island's proximity to Charleston (just 18 miles by car), make it a preferred summer hideout for locals. An abundance of vacation rentals and the iconic Wild Dunes resort have been drawing visitors from across the country since the early 1970s.

With the deep blue Atlantic on one side and marshy creeks of the Intracoastal Waterway on the other, Isle of Palms offers the best of the Lowcountry and the beach in one stunning setting that's begging to be added to your vacation calendar.

Six of Isle of Palms' seven total miles are occupied by public beaches, which means you'll have your pick of the litter when looking for a sandy spot where you can post up for the day—or the week. Once you've staked your claim, all the normal beach activities are yours for the choosing, from splashing around in the surprisingly calm seas to building the ultimate sandcastle or playing a game of beach volleyball. For families, the Isle of Palms County Park, located in the middle of the island's coastline, is ideal. The public beach has lifeguards, outdoor showers, chair and umbrella rentals, restrooms, and even a playground for little ones retreat to once they tire of the sun and surf.

Make the most of a visit to Isle of Palms by scheduling a charter to take you offshore. Get your sea legs at the Isle of Palms Marina, where you can easily rent a boat and spend a day exploring the island's bays and waterways. Fishing charters are plentiful and offer both reef fishing and Gulf Stream fishing. For adventure enthusiasts or wildlife lovers, Barrier Island Eco Tours hosts a range of naturalist-guided tours that take visitors through winding salt marshes, tidal creeks, and the Intracoastal Waterway on the way to uninhabited Capers Island. Animals you might see along the way include loggerhead turtles, bottlenose dolphins, and every shape and size of coastal birds.

Breakfast is noteworthy at Sea Biscuit Café. The tiny beachside shack has been dishing out delicious morning meals since 1968. While they offer all the classics, the daily specials are where the magic happens. Past offerings have included chocolate banana challah French toast, lemon lavender pancakes, and tomato pie.

When you need a mid-day refuel for the whole family, Coconut Joe's is the obvious choice. Located on Isle of Palms' main drag, you won't have to venture far to get fresh seafood and impeccable vibes. The open-air covered deck is the ideal spot for munching on the restaurant's namesake shrimp, while rocking sandy toes and sun-bleached hair. When happy hour hits, venture to the rooftop bar for a frozen cocktail or painkiller. Nothing will put you on island time faster.

By the time you're finally ready to come in from the sun and go out to dinner, Isle of Palms will be waiting with plenty of options. The Boathouse and Acme Lowcountry Kitchen are island staples that have stood the test of time thanks to excellent quality food and good old-fashioned Southern hospitality. For a special night out, try Coda del Pesce, a fine dining restaurant that specializes in Italian with lots of influence (and fresh catch) from the nearby seas.

All trips to Isle of Palms must include at least one visit to The Windjammer at Front Beach. The legendary local music venue is known for its incredible live shows, stellar views of the water, cold drinks, and unbeatable fried pickles.

The obvious choice for places to stay in Isle of Palms is Wild Dunes Resort, a 1,600-acre family-friendly resort that offers everything from rooms and suites at two inns, to private beach condos and home rentals. In addition to a more-than-comfortable stay, the resort also features several resort-style pools, a spa, and two championship golf courses.

If you're hoping for a cozier stay, the newly renovated Palms Oceanfront Hotel consists of 68 modern rooms with gorgeous views of the sparkling Atlantic. There are also plenty of rentals through Airbnb and VRBO for everything from multifamily waterfront homes to one-bedroom condos.

Whether you book for a long weekend or stay for an entire week, the memories and magic of Isle of Palms will stay with you for months and years to come—maybe even until you have a chance to make another trip back!

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - The Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority will resume its Beach Reach Shuttle service later this month.

The agency announced Wednesday the free seasonal park-and-ride shuttle that provides a connection between Mount Pleasant and the Isle of Palms, will relaunch on May 28.

The service will operate on Saturdays and Sundays through Sept. 5, as well as on Memorial, Independence and Labor Days.

“We work hard at CARTA to make sure we’re providing a cost-effective and efficient way of getting people where they need to go – and, in the summer months, that includes the beach,” CARTA Board of Directors Chairman Mike Seekings said. “Thanks to our Isle of Palms, Mount Pleasant and Towne Centre partners, we’re able to once again make that happen, and we look forward to re-introducing our riders to the Beach Reach Shuttle.”

Each Saturday, the shuttle will run every hour from 9:15 a.m. (first departure from Towne Centre) to 5:30 p.m. (final departure from Isle of Palms). On Sundays, in order to improve efficiency and ease necessary transfers, the shuttle will run every hour from 9:40 a.m. to 5:55 p.m.

“The Town of Mount Pleasant is proud to stand alongside CARTA, Isle of Palms and our very own Towne Centre to bring the Beach Reach Shuttle back into service,” Town of Mount Pleasant Mayor Will Haynie said. “I hope folks throughout our community and beyond will join us in taking advantage of this exciting opportunity to make the most of this summer.”

“This has been a team effort in the truest sense of the term, and we’re glad to be working alongside our remarkable partners to increase beach access and share the beauty of the Isle of Palms shoreline this summer,” City of Isle of Palms Mayor Philip Pounds said.

Riders should plan to arrive at least five minutes prior to the scheduled departure time.

Beach Reach riders will be able to board the shuttle at stop No. 715, behind the Belk Men’s store in Mount Pleasant Towne Centre, and disembark at 9th Avenue and Ocean Boulevard, adjacent to the Isle of Palms beach access.

Parking will be available along Market Center Boulevard in Mount Pleasant Towne Centre. Connections to Route 40 Mount Pleasant and Route 42 Wando Circulator will also be available.

CARTA provided the following rules for the shuttle service:

Full route details and bus tracking can be found in the Transit App, which is available for download in the Apple and Google Play stores. Riders can also view traffic conditions and municipal information for all area beaches via the Beach Reach app, which is also available for Apple and Google smartphones.

Copyright 2022 WCSC. All rights reserved.

ISLE OF PALMS, S.C. (WCIV) — Learn where you can park during your beach visit to Isle of Palms!

Paid Parking

Paid parking on Isle of Palms is enforced between March 1 and Oct. 31 from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m.

The City operates two parking lots near Front Beach on Pavilion Drive. The lots are managed by automated parking kiosks. The daily rate is $10 Monday through Friday and $15 on weekends and holidays. After 4 p.m., motorists can pay an hourly rate of $2. Leave your ticket on your vehicle's dash to avoid a $50 parking violation.

Visitors can also park at the meters along Ocean Boulevard near Front Beach between 10th and 14th Avenues. Park in any open space and pay at the kiosk closest to you. The hourly rate is $2.50. Be sure to leave your ticket on your vehicle's dash.

Guests can also park at Isle of Palms County Park, where rates will vary based on the time of the year and vehicle.

Free Parking

The City regulates parking along the public rights-of-way between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Visitors are allowed to park on any road right-of-way within the Beach Parking District unless a "no parking" sign indicates otherwise. All four wheels of each parked vehicle must be off the road and vehicles cannot block beach access paths.

Vehicles parked on the ocean side of Palm Boulevard between 21st and 40th Avenue must parallel park at least four feet off the pavement. Double parking on the passenger side of a vehicle that is parked parallel is not allowed. For those parking on the land side of the roadway, vehicles must be at an angle in the marked spaces. Motorists must also not block driveways or mailboxes.

There is no permit requirement or parking fee to park along the public rights-of-way in the following locations:

Handicap Parking

Visitors in need of handicap parking can find spaces in the County Park at no charge, the Municipal Parking Lot on Pavilion Drive, on 9th Avenue, at the Front Beach Restrooms, on 21st Avenue and on 42nd Avenue. There is also free handicap parking available in the Municipal Parking Lot behind the Public Safety Building.

The City of Isle of Palms offers free beach wheelchairs on a first-come, first-serve basis. No reservations are taken for the program, and a copy of the user's license and credit card will be made.

To pick up a wheelchair, fill out a rental form and bring it to the second floor of the Public Safety Building, located at 30 J.C. Long Boulevard. Rentals must be returned by 8 p.m. the day of the rental.

Trailer Parking

Trucks or trailers greater than 20 feet cannot be parked along the public rights-of-way for more than one hour or as long as it takes to load or unload materials. There is an exception for the public right-of-way of 41st Avenue between Waterway Boulevard and the terminus of 41st Avenue for vehicles with attached boat trailers and a valid Resident Parking Permit.

For additional parking details, as well as more information for residents, click here.

ISLE OF PALMS, S.C. (WCBD) – A small group of current and former leaders on the Isle of Palms say they’re working on a plan to secede the city from South Carolina to form an Independent Republic. The group is hoping to bring attention to some residents and leader’s frustrations over beach parking using humor.

The Palm Republic is an idea of former Mayor Jimmy Carroll. The idea is in response to the South Carolina Department of Transportation’s beach parking authority and the department’s changes on the IOP connector last year.

“When you have city leadership saying that we hate the rest of the state so much we’re going to secede and have our own little country here, that sort of ticks a lot of people off,” says South Carolina State Senator Larry Grooms who chairs the Senate Transportation Committee.

The idea for the Palm Republic is form of retaliation by the organizers against the restriping of the Isle of Palms Connector and Senate Bill S-40, known as the beach parking bill. The bill’s author, Senator Grooms says legislation was needed to keep local leadership from stepping out of line.

“The state had to come in and be almost a little bit heavy handed when leadership basically outlawed all public parking on the island,” says Senator Grooms.

Former Mayor Carroll told News 2 the idea was inspired by The Conch Republic, when Key West, Florida declared itself a Republic from Florida in 1982. He and current IOP City Councilman Blair Hahn are behind the effort believed to be half a joke and half an effort to bring attention to the city’s frustrations with the state’s changes to beach parking regulations.

Former State Attorney General Charlie Condon says the city could claim the state violated the Home Rule Act in court but says seceding from the state isn’t legally possible.

“You can’t secede, that’s going nowhere,” says Condon. “It’s not legal, it’s not possible under our system of laws but they do have access to the courts.”

Some residents I spoke with say they only recently learned of the proposal. Leadership for the proposed Republic were set to have a meeting Friday to outline the future of the Palm Republic, they’re expected to present plans soon. Senator Grooms believes the issue should be approached differently to find better solutions.

“Let fools continue to sing their songs and just try to ignore them and do what’s best for all concerned,” says Senator Grooms.

Current Mayor Phillip Pounds sent News 2 a statement that reads quote, “The City of Isle of Palms is in no way involved with the Palm Republic. Our Council and I continue to be focused on collaborative relationships and seeking solutions that benefit residents and visitors.”