PDF Garden City Area Plan - Horry County Government

EXISTING CONDITIONSpart3The most sought-after natural resource in Garden City, and the reasonso many people want to visit or move permanently to the area, is thebeach. Residents and visitors alike have access to 1.8 miles of white,sandy beach in Garden City. There are 16 public access pointsmaintained by Horry County; a number of these access points haveparking associated with them.The saltmarsh that runs from Murrells Inlet in Georgetown County intoHorry County is another prime natural resource of significant value toboth residents and visitors. The saltmarsh is a diverse ecological habitatthat provides a home to many different species of fish, crab and shrimp.There is a boardwalk adjacent to Atlantic Avenue that runs across themarsh providing opportunities for visitors to observe the marshenvironment close-up.Horry County Environmental Services is tasked with the important roleof keeping the beaches and marshes in the unincorporated parts of thecounty clean and free of debris. During the tourist seasonEnvironmental Services cleans the beach and picks up trash on a dailybasis, as well as removes trash along the marsh walk.The health of these ecosystems is of vital importance to the well beingof Garden City. Maintaining and enhancing the marsh and the beach isvital to the continued economic health of Garden City, as well as beingimportant to the quality-of-life enjoyed by residents.COMMUNITY GOALS• Protect, maintain and enhance the natural resources that are uniqueto Garden City.• Recognize and protect the unique environment of the saltmarsh.• Maintain the beach through periodic renourishment efforts.ISSUE 3.1Garden City residents want to protect and preserve the unique naturalresources that make the area such an enjoyable place to live and visit.STRATEGIES: ✓1. Work with the Garden City Community Association to form aGarden City Beautification Committee to organize beach,neighborhood and road right-of-way clean ups andbeautification projects.2. Assist the Community Association in participating inprograms (ex. Adopt a Highway) and applying for grantsthat will provide financial support for these efforts.3. Ensure that the provisions of the Horry CountyLandscape, Buffer and Tree Ordinance are enforcedthroughout the Garden City area.4. Explore the possibility of developing an overlay forGarden City to better protect key natural assets.Environmental Resources6