Popular Folly park reopens after major renovation project
By Lorne Chambers | Editor
After several months, Pirate’s Cove Park reopened in November with a huge celebration as food trucks, members of the community, local leaders, kids, and adults filled the park, which is located between 5th an 6th streets on Folly’s east side. Pirate’s Cove underwent a massive month’s long renovation project, with many improvements and some brand new features.
“The biggest improvements were demolishing the tennis and basketball courts, leveling the ground, and re-pouring the courts,” said Folly Beach Parks and Recreation Chairman Kelly Travers. The courts had to be replaced because of a slope issue that was causing the courts to flood and damage the surface.
“These are the only tennis and basketball courts open to the pubic on the island and it is one of two playgrounds on the island. So it’s super vital for a Folly community that likes to be outdoors and active year-round.”
In addition to the basketball and tennis courts, there are now areas to play Pickleball, which has seen an increase in interest in recent years. At the grand reopening party, held on Sunday, Nov. 17, there was a raffle and pickle ball rackets and balls were given away in addition to tennis rackets and balls, basketballs, kick balls and more. The cost of the project was estimated to be around $180,000.
“The party was amazing! We made over 100 gift bags for the kiddos and they were gone within the first hour and a half,” says Travers. “Highlights were the tennis and basketball drill instructors as well as Teresa “Sweet T” Parrish singing and helping to conduct our raffle; fossil education by Charleston fossil adventures; shell painting and henna tattoos.” Additionally, Two Fat Olives (Italian), Mac Daddy (mac ’n cheese) and Kona Ice (shaved ice) food trucks were all on hand.
There will hopefully be more improvements to come for Pirate’s Cove. According to Travers, Folly Beach Parks and Recreation just applied for a PARD grant to help redo the bathrooms, replace some playground equipment, help with landscaping, and touch up the mural at the park. The Park and Recreation Development Fund (aka PARD) is a state-funded noncompetitive reimbursable grant program for projects that provide recreational opportunities.
