Georgetown County unveils Wachesaw Park master plan

MURRELLS INLET, SC (WMBF) - Georgetown County leaders unveiled a master plan for renovations to Wachesaw Park, aiming to create a space for everyone to spend time outside.

The park has been neglected for several years, according to county leaders, but major changes are expected in the coming months.

“We’re hoping to have phase one up and going this year,” said Clint Elliott, chairman of the Georgetown County Council.

Elliott said renovations will be completed in three phases.

Phase 1 will focus on adding a trail, a dog park and multipurpose basketball and pickleball courts. The plan also calls for removing one of the two baseball fields.

“If we don’t take one of those fields out, we’re not gonna have the property and ability to include everybody into it,” Elliott said. “It’ll basically be two baseball fields out there, and we wanted to have a park that more people can enjoy.”

Elliott said the renovations are needed to make the park all-inclusive.

“We wanted to make sure that everybody gets a little something out of that park, so everybody of all ages can come out there and do something at the park,” Elliott said. “That’s what we’re working towards, and that’s sort of the compromise we’re having to do that one of those fields is probably gonna be taken out.”

Phases 2 and 3 will include bathrooms, a picnic area, a nature trail above the wetlands and potentially a splash pad.

Deangelo Grate, a Murrells Inlet resident, said he brings his dog to the park several times a month and has noticed a decline in the park’s quality.

“I think it’s about time they got this underway; I’ve been hearing about it for a while, and I think it’ll be beneficial to everyone that wants to come and enjoy Wachesaw Park,” Grate said.

According to Elliott, phase 1 renovations will be covered by capital project sales tax funds.

For later phases, the county will apply for grants to cover costs.

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