City Councilman DJ Rich urges residents and visitors to Do their part to keep our island beautiful
By DJ Rich | Folly Beach City Councilman
We have always been a diverse group of people on Folly Beach, probably always will be. We have differing opinions and attitudes on topics from local issues to dining. We have differing experiences and education that brought us to those opinions. We even have differing values and visions that lead our charge on future issues. Through all the diversity and difference, we are a community, and the glue that brings us together is community pride. Taking pride in a community means going above and beyond an average level of commitment and setting a higher standard, which Folly-ites are more than willing to do.
Traffic and trash have been issues on Folly since the 1920s when cars were allowed to park on the beach. It was said that more than 200,000 people visited Folly in 1925 even though there were only nine full time families on the island. Through this prosperity, plans were developed for the Atlantic Pavilion, Boardwalk & Pier and it also ushered in more full time residents. Folly Beach was off and running, and that is when the community pride started.
Fast forward to 2015 and our biggest issues are still traffic and trash but our community has gotten stronger, and now that we have learned the harmful effects of litter on barrier islands and our waterways, one of the best ways for us to show our community pride is through litter pick-up and beautification.
On May 18, I had the privilege of hosting a beautification day for Center Street and the commercial district. We had more than 50 volunteers show up on a Monday afternoon and proceeded through the commercial district picking up trash, removing stickers, and cleaning graffiti off street signs. We had volunteers from City staff, including police and fire, residents, business owners, and even a few tourists helping out. One volunteer from James Island brought her young son to show what it means to give back and how to do it. That’s community pride. Not only getting out and doing the work ourselves, but educating others on how important it is. Show them what a great community we have and encourage them to be a positive part of it.
The City of Folly Beach has been working with a Center Street Task Force to examine our primary road from a traffic and beautification stand point. While the traffic portion is in the engineering phase, you will see the beautification portion begin very soon. We are adding brick pavers to the areas between the sidewalks and curbs, making them not only more attractive but larger and safer for pedestrians. We are removing some ill-fated landscaping and unsightly paper boxes to replace them with beautiful plants and planters, similar to the ones currently on the sidewalks. We currently have an engraved brick program going on so that community members can be a permanent part of this revitalized Center Street (go to visitfolly.com or cityoffollybeach.com for more info and ordering). The city has been a huge proponent of community pride and beautification, but we need help from the entire community to carry the torch.
Community pride comes in many forms, shapes and sizes. You can organize large beach sweeps or it can be as simple as picking up trash while you walk your dog. You can volunteer for a city board/committee or organize an island game of capture the flag. Educate visitors on our rules and they can help spread the word. Whether you’re a Folly-ite by residence or visitation, it’s up to us to roll up our sleeves, do the work, and pass it on to future generations. After all, that is what community pride is all about.
