‘Follow best practices’: How you can stay active in the Grand Strand during coronavirus
During these times of isolation as government and health officials work to stem the spread of coronavirus, some might be wondering what they can do to get some fresh air along the Grand Strand while also remaining safe.
As health officials stress the need for social distancing by avoiding large gatherings and keeping a six-foot distance from individuals, S.C. Governor Henry McMaster’s “work or home” order doesn’t place restrictions on outdoor recreational activities and exercise.
“Boating, hunting, fishing, and other outdoor recreation are all still allowed under the Governor’s latest executive orders,” said Erin Weeks, communications coordinator with S.C. Department of Natural Resources. “That said, there have been some significant recent changes that folks should be aware of before they head outdoors.”
Outdoor exercise
Gyms are closed after McMaster deemed them non-essential businesses, but area parks and gardens are still open and allowing folks to go for walks and exercise, so long as they practice social distancing.
While the parking lots, picnic areas, playgrounds, recreation centers and fitness equipment at neighborhood parks within Myrtle Beach city limits remain closed off, along with the two off-leash dog parks, the walking path at Grand Park in The Market Common district will remain open for walking, jogging, biking and fishing.
In Horry County, parks are open for public use, including The Bike & Run Park, also known as The Hulk, located near River Oaks Drive in Carolina Forest, and Vereen Memorial Gardens located along the Intracoastal Waterway in Little River. Boat landings and playgrounds are currently closed.
Additionally, North Myrtle Beach public parks, including Cherry Grove Oceanfront Park, are currently open, though playground equipment at the parks are closed off, along with public boat ramps, per McMaster’s executive order.
“They offer a good outlet for people in need of some outdoor exercise,” North Myrtle Beach spokesperson Pat Dowling said. “We continue to call for social distancing, and are receiving good cooperation.”
Brookgreen Gardens’ outdoor spaces remain open, though interior spaces are closed and public programs are postponed, according to its website. Brookgreen is offering discounted tickets, but asks visitors to purchase the tickets in advance to limit contact with its admissions staff.
Public beach access points are blocked off following an order from McMaster made over a week ago. Local officials have warned people could be fined or arrested if they are caught using the public accesses. However, the beaches are open and accessible through private access.
Golfing
Only 11 courses in the Myrtle Beach golf market, which stretches 90 miles along the Carolinas coast from Georgetown to Bolivia, N.C., are closed via owners’ decisions.
“Everybody else is hanging on and hanging in there, and we’re working hard to promote social distancing and eliminating touch points to keep the employees and our customers safe,” said Tracy Conner, executive director of the Myrtle Beach Area Golf Course Owners Association, which represents nearly 80 courses.
Both “stay at home” orders from McMaster and N.C. Gov. Roy Cooper have allowed their states’ courses to remain open.
Golf is touted by the industry to be a healthy outdoor activity that can be done safely while adhering to social distancing requests.
The MBAGCOA has recommended all member courses provide a cart to each player individually, promote walking and sanitize golf carts after use, as well as take actions to avoid touch points, including having players put their bags on carts themselves, removing rakes from bunkers, leaving flagsticks in and raising the depths of holes.
“We’re very thankful to both of our states, North and South Carolina, that have allowed us to remain open. We as golf industry feel strongly that golf should remain open through this very difficult period,” Conner said. “… We’re really only playing local residents, and they are consistently thankful to the staff at the clubs for allowing them to come out and play.”
The public-access courses that have closed on the Strand include Founders Group International layouts International World Tour Golf Links, Burning Ridge Golf, Wild Wing Plantation, Willbrook Plantation, River Club, Aberdeen Country Club, Colonial Charters Golf Club and Founders Club at Pawleys Island, as well as the Hackler Course at Coastal Carolina, Members Club at Grande Dunes and Arcadian Shores Golf Club.
Shopping
Many nonessential businesses have closed across the Myrtle Beach area, but plenty of places remain open, such as grocery stores, liquor stores, hardware stores, pharmacies, fast-food and restaurants serving only pick-up or delivery orders.
Nonessential businesses include, but are not limited to, gyms, spas, nightclubs, barber shops, hair salons, tattoo parlors, massage centers, bowling alleys, arcades, racetracks, indoor children’s play areas, theaters, museums, tourist attractions, department stores, florists, sporting goods stores and bookstores. Here is the full list of nonessential businesses.
However, while the walk from your car to the grocery store may be enough fresh air for some, Tyler’s Produce, a certified SC U-pick strawberry farm off S.C. Highway 378 in the Conway area, is open for outdoor picking.
Victoria Dobis and Sydney Presley took a break from their teaching duties for Horry County students and visited Tyler’s Produce Tuesday afternoon after they heard from a fellow teacher that the produce farm was open. While they get outside to walk and fish, Presley said they wanted to find an activity that let them outside and in the fresh air.
“Just to get outside and something that’s open,” Presley said.
Bellamy Farms and Holmes Farms Produce, both in Loris, are also open.
Fishing, boating & hunting
Many areas along the Grand Strand are still allowing those to engage in fishing activity, whether it be at Cherry Grove Park, Cherry Grove Pier or Grand Park. If you don’t want to fish in the park, Murrells Inlet Fishing Charters is offering discounts for anyone with a South Carolina drivers license.
“If you would like to get you and your family out of the house for a little while we are open for Fishing Charters as usual and we are offering one hour boat rides as well,” Murrells Inlet Fishing Charters posted on its Facebook page. “All of our boats are clean top to bottom daily and safety is our top priority during this crazy time.”
Capt. Crumbs Bait & Tackle Charter Fishing Trips Rod & Reel Repair is still operating charter sunset cruises for two at discounted price of $275. Curbside service is also offered for all bait and tackle needs.
Due to McMaster’s executive orders, all public boat landings have been closed, but private boat ramps remain open. Immediate families may continue to boat together, but otherwise, no more than two people are permitted per boat, according to Weeks, with beaching and rafting no longer allowed.
Additionally, boats may anchor to fish or for an emergency but must otherwise stay underway on the water, Weeks said.
Turkey hunting season is underway as normal, with no changes to the season, limits or regulations. Most Wildlife Management Areas remain open for folks to safely explore, with some exceptions.
“Anyone getting outside should still follow best practices such as traveling/boating only with immediate family, keeping a minimum of six feet from other hikers/boaters, disinfecting hands regularly, and being prepared to change plans if a property appears busy,” Weeks said. “Things are changing every day, so we recommend checking with a reliable source before venturing out to make sure properties and facilities are accessible.”
The Sun News reporters Alan Blondin and Alex Lang contributed to this report.
This story was originally published April 8, 2020 at 1:27 PM.
