Commission Update - ccprc.com

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January 18, 2017

Commission Meeting – Monday, January 23, 2017 - CCPRC Headquarters at 5:30 pm

Commission Meeting Highlights

Guests: I am not aware of any guests that will be at the meeting.

Agenda Overview Old Business: HFOL Update: Phil Macchia will give a wrap up of the Holiday Festival of Lights to include finance, attendance, and traffic. New Business: Fees and Changes: As staff prepare the budget for the 2017-18 Fiscal Year, the revenue projections are based upon changes in our fee structures. Staff will present recommended changes to our fees for the next budget year for your approval. Many of the changes deal with the complication, or hopefully the simplification, of the new registration software. We will discuss the “cleaning up” of resident and non-resident rates to work within our new computer program, as well as making sure our fees and rates keep pace with the industry. Capital Projects Update: As we start the new calendar year, the agency is in position to begin the recently approved Capital Projects. At the meeting, Mr. Bowie and Mr. McManus will discuss the beginning phases of starting the process. Upcoming Ribbon Cuttings & Grand Openings: Get ready to mark your calendar! There are several upcoming celebration dates! On March 3, the Sk8 Park ribbon cutting will take place. The Sk8 Park will be open to the public starting on March 4 from 10 am-10pm. There will be a second grand opening on March 11 to kick off the first weekend at the skate park. In addition, the Archery Grand Opening will be held on March 5 at Johns Island County Park.

Mattese Lecque, Chair Andy Thomas, Vice Chair Teddy Manos, Secretary-Treasurer Tom O’Rourke, Executive Director

COMMISSIONERS:

Collin Bruner

Benjy Cooke

Lisa King

Eduardo Curry

Commission Update

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More detailed information about the celebrations will be presented at the meeting. Purchase Approvals: Please read the enclosed memos for the details of a change order request as well as purchases. Executive Session Personnel and Legal Matters: There will be two items to discuss. Both are confidential legal matters.

A. Tom will continue with a discussion on previously discussed appraisals. B. David will present to the Commission his plan for the Senior Management of the

agency. Please note that Tom will not be present for this portion of the discussion, so that David can have an unfiltered open discussion with the Commission.

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CHARLESTON COUNTY PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING

861 RIVERLAND DRIVE, CHARLESTON, SC, 29412 MONDAY, JANUARY 23, 2017

AGENDA

I. Call To Order And Welcome Lecque

A. Introduction of Guests and Notification to Media

II. Public Comments/Presentations Lecque

III. Approval of Minutes Lecque

A. (ACTION) Approval of December 12, 2016 Regular Commission Meeting minutes

IV. Old Business

A. Holiday Festival of Lights Update Macchia

IV. New Business

A. Financial Report McManus

1. Checks in Excess of $75002. Financial Reports3. (Action) Computer Workstation Purchase4. (Action) Palmetto Island County Park (PICP) – Collins Engineers, Inc. Consultant Contract

Change Order Approval

B. Planning and Capital Projects Report

C. (Action) 2017-18 Fees & Changes

D. New Facility Ribbon Cutting/Grand Opening

E. Election of Officers

F. Executive Session – Personnel/Legal Matter

Bowie/McManus

Gueldner/Macchia

Newshutz/Ellis-Strother

Lecque

O’Rourke

VI. Next Meeting

A. Regular Commission Meeting, Monday, February 27, 2017, 5:30pm at CCPRC Headquarters, Charleston, SC

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UNAPPROVED MINUTES CHARLESTON COUNTY PARK & RECREATION COMMISSION

REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING 861 RIVERLAND DRIVE, CHARLESTON, SC, 29412

MONDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2016

Commission Members Present: Ms. Mattese Lecque, Mr. Andy Thomas, Mr. Teddy Manos, Mr. Eduardo Curry and Ms. Lisa King Commission Members Absent: Mr. Collin Bruner and Mr. Benjy Cooke Staff Present: Mr. Tom O’Rourke, Mr. David Bennett, Mr. Charlie McManus, Ms. Donna Gueldner, Ms. Gina-Ellis-Strother, Ms. Jan Coulter, Mr. Phil Macchia, Mr. Steve Hutton, Mr. Tommy Hale, Mr. Mark Madden, Ms. Jeanne Lange, Mr. Josh McFadden, Mr. James Fitzgerald, and Ms. Shanté Ellis Legal Counsel Present: Mr. Dwayne Green Guests Present: Ms. Emily Sobczak

I. Call to Order and Welcome A. Introduction of Guests and Notification to Media

The Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission met on Monday, December 12, 2016 at the CCPRC Headquarters, Charleston, SC. Ms. Lecque, Chair, called the meeting to order and welcomed those in attendance. Ms. Lecque informed those present that notification of the meeting had been sent to the local news media and others requesting notification and asked that the record reflects the Commissioners present.

II. Public Comments

A. None III. Approval of Minutes

A. (ACTION) Approval of minutes of November 14, 2016 Retreat and Regular Commission Meeting Motion to approve the minutes of the November 14, 2016 Regular Commission Meeting was made by Ms. King, seconded by Mr. Thomas, and approved by the Commission. (#035-1617)

IV. Old Business

Motion to move agenda item V-C3 to item IV-A was made by Ms. King, seconded by Mr. Thomas, and approved by the Commission. (#036-1617) A. Audit Presentation from Green, Finney, & Horton

Ms. Sobczak of Green, Finney, and Horton, CPAs stated that CCPRC received an unmodified opinion. Ms. Sobczak reviewed the FY16 audit via PowerPoint Presentation. During the presentation, she reminded the Commission the role/tasks of the auditors versus the PRC Commission/Staff Management. Ms. Sobczak made the Commission aware of upcoming law changes for future fiscal years.

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B. Reallocation of Non-Approved Capital Funds

Mr. Bowie reviewed the staff’s recommendation for the re-allocation of the $8 million in capital funds originally slated for the Cooper River Marina as follows:

$500,000 to construct a storage warehouse at James Island County Park. We currently lease space on

Signal Point Rd. for approximately $30,000/year (4,000 sq. ft.).

$1 Million for improving access to the undeveloped properties. Although we have not designated

the funds to any particular projects at this time, Laurel Hill is an excellent site to improve our

revenue opportunities by improving vehicle traffic flow, parking and provide restrooms.

$1.25 million to decommission the current Cooper River Marina

$1.5 million for the construction of an HQ annex approximately (approximately 4,000 sq ft). We

currently lease office space at Wappoo Creek (James Island) and Exec Hall Rd (West Ashley). We

anticipate savings of about $100,000/year in our operating budget based on current lease rates.

$3.75 million to reinvest at Palmetto Islands County Park. We currently have allocated $3.16 million

to address needs and problems related to its age. The additional money would create additional

revenue opportunities from the expansion of the Day Camp programs and creating additional rental

opportunities (day and night).

Ms. King asked Mr. Bowie about the potential location of the warehouse. Mr. Bowie stated that James Island County Park’s borderline where it is not impacted by a decision of I-526. Mr. Manos asked Mr. Bowie to explain the decision to build the warehouse rather than rent. Mr. Bowie noted the preference to keep the facility central to the employees and tasks that would use it more frequently. Mr. Thomas reminded staff of his desire to see more trails (with trailheads) within the newly purchased properties to grant the public access during the facility’s planning phase. Ms. King asked the Commission to consider allocating more funds to West Ashley’s projects. Mr. McManus noted that the PICP projects were highly ranked by staff due to upkeep purposes. Ms. King asked the Commission to consider the entire county and not only the location in which they live. Mr. McManus noted that the CIP Committee has been charged with finding a balance between cost-recovery projects versus resource-heavy projects.

C. 5-Year Capital Improvement Plan Approval

Ms. King asked for clarification that $1 Million for improving access to the undeveloped properties has not been assigned a location. Staff confirmed. Motion to approval of the updated 5-year Capital Improvements Plan with an overall budget of $45,135,000 was made by Mr. Thomas, seconded by Ms. King, and approved by the Commission. (#037-1617)

V. New Business

A. 2015 SC Environmental Awareness Award

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Mr. Hutton informed the Commission that Mark Madden was awarded the 2015 SC Environmental Awareness Award (established in 1992 by the General Assembly). Representatives from the following agencies are on the judging panel: SC Forestry Commission, DEHC, DNR, and the SC Sea Grant Consortium. In judging nominees, the awards committee considers excellence, innovation, leadership, and accomplishments that influence positive changes affecting the natural environment. Mr. Madden has worked for nearly 30 years pursuing the causes that he’s passionate about. Mr. Madden stated that an interpreter that is doing well in his field is doing so because he surrounded by a great team and has been granted a place and purpose to do the work that needs to be done. He noted that David Bennett hired him back in 1992 and thanked him for sharing his wisdom throughout the years. The Commission congratulated Mr. Madden on a job well done.

B. New Staff Introductions Mr. Macchia introduced the Commission to Mr. James Fitzgerald (new Cooper River Marina Manager) and Mr. Josh McFadden (new SK8 park Manager).

C. Financial Report

1. Checks in Excess of $7500

i. Mr. McManus reported on the checks in excess of $7500, stating that all were for the normal course of business.

2. Financial Reports

i. Mr. McManus presented the financial reports for the month of November and had no

further questions from the Commission.

3. (Action) Public Assistance Funding Agreement with SCEMD

Motion to enter into a Public Assistance Funding Agreement for Severe Storms and Flooding with SC Emergency Management Division in the pursuit of FEMA funding for damages incurred as a result of October 2016 Hurricane Matthew was made by Mr. Manos, seconded by Mr. Thomas, and approved by the Commission. (#038-1617)

VII. Executive Session – Contractual & Legal Matter

Motion to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing a contractual and legal matter was made by Ms. King, seconded by Mr. Manos, and approved by the Commission. (#039-1617) Upon coming out of Executive Session, the Chair stated that contractual and legal matters had been discussed.

VIII. Next Meeting Regular Commission Meeting, Monday, January 23, 2016, 5:30pm at CCPRC Headquarters, Charleston, SC There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:50 pm.

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Respectfully submitted, Mattese Lecque, Chair Shanté Ellis, Executive Administrative Manager

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Checks in Excess of $7,500

Date Check # Vendor Description Amount

General Agency

12/8/2016 726 Charleston County Radio user fees for Q4 $ 21,546.00

12/8/2016 731 Coleman Photography Commissions for Santa and Sleigh photos $ 11,299.92

12/8/2016 785 South Carolina Retirement Sys Retirement $ 154,976.82

12/8/2016 787 Tyler Technologies Inc Tyler Munis license and support $ 20,826.36


12/15/2016 835 SCE&G Agency electric $ 59,447.38

12/15/2016 839 State Accident Fund Workers comp premium $ 296,021.00

12/21/2016 884 Charleston County Dept-Revenue WCP Stormwater $ 7,955.05


12/21/2016 893 Collins Engineer Disaster and storm consulting $ 50,105.50

12/21/2016 925 Verizon Wireless Agency cell services $ 9,276.37


Capital Improvement Projects

12/15/2016 8 Hightower Construction Co Skatepark construction $ 125,984.40

12/21/2016 924 Trane Comfort Solutions 1 Trane 10-Ton Airhandler $ 8,212.69

Debt Service

12/12/2016 1 BB&T Governmental Finance BB&T December lease payment $ 92,766.01

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Combined and Governmental Statements

Combined General Agency & Park Operations

December 2016

Prior Year to Date-

Actuals

Year to date-

Actuals

Current year

budget % of Budget

General Agency Revenues 2,310,733

3,374,298

14,650,880 23%

Park Revenues 8,544,313

8,932,872

16,266,435 55%

Total Operating Revenues 10,855,046

12,307,170

30,917,315 40%

General Agency Expenditures 6,036,170

6,577,065

14,258,710 46%

Park Expenditures 6,693,741

6,853,504

16,021,860 43%

Total Operating Expenditures 12,729,911

13,430,569

30,280,570 44%

Change in Fund Balance

(1,874,865)

(1,123,399)

636,745

General Fund December, 2016

Prior Year to Date-

Actuals

Year to date-

Actuals

Current year

budget % of Budget

Revenues

Tax Millage 2,006,531

2,936,382

13,885,480 21%

Administration 10,395

92,542

67,000 138%

Executive

-

-

- 0%

Marketing

-

-

- 0%

Human Resources

-

-

- 0%

Financial Services

-

-

- 0%

Park and Recreation Services 23,070

30,870

54,000 57%

Recreation 270,737

311,226

640,635 49%

Maintenance

-

-

- 0%

Planning & Natural Resources

-

-

- 0%

Operations

-

3,278

3,765 87%

Total Revenues 2,310,733

3,374,298

14,650,880 23%

Expenditures

Administration 404,981

511,858

714,170 72%

Executive Division 383,760

442,648

965,710 46%

General Services 797,617

1,154,421

2,493,985 46%

Marketing 398,453

440,834

965,450 46%

Human Resources 591,811

337,986

584,700 58%

Capital Projects 305,771

287,050

588,340 49%

Financial Services 504,434

388,964

897,590 43%

Park and Recreation Services 372,952

360,211

755,615 48%

Recreation 1,060,694

1,319,035

2,945,800 45%

Maintenance 527,186

592,380

1,631,875 36%

Plannning 186,607

137,599

335,830 41%

Park Operations 501,904

604,079

1,379,645 44%

Total Expenditures 6,036,170

6,577,065

14,258,710 46%

Change in Fund Balance (3,725,437)

(3,202,767)

392,170

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Enterprise Fund Statement

Park Operations December, 2016

Prior Year to Date

Actuals

Year to Date-

Actuals Current Year Budget

% of

Budget

Beachwalker Park

Operating Revenue 113,095

126,694

256,240 49%

Operating Expenses 109,189

125,463

285,370 44%

Net Income/(Loss)

3,906

1,231

(29,130)

Bulow Plantation

Operating Revenue

84,900

80,200

167,500 48%

Operating Expenses

11,679

18,361

82,955 22%

Net Income/(Loss)

73,221

61,839

84,545

Caw Caw Interpretive Center

Operating Revenue

11,662

14,307

36,485 39%


116,940

339,315 34%

Net Income/(Loss)

(89,646)

(102,633)

(302,830)

Cooper River Marina


509,480

766,080 67%


263,484

572,745 46%

Net Income/(Loss) 307,921

245,996

193,335

Folly Beach County Park


148,321

277,775 53%

Operating Expenses

98,561

84,840

307,120 28%

Net Income/(Loss)

19,354

63,481

(29,345)

Folly Beach Fishing Pier


674,484

1,403,165 48%


543,252

1,301,230 42%

Net Income/(Loss) 184,197

131,232

101,935

Isle of Palms County Park


292,260

522,325 56%


197,606

462,470 43%

Net Income/(Loss)

41,256

94,654

59,855

James Island County Park

Operating Revenue 3,817,828

3,991,762

6,239,890 64%

Operating Expenses 2,338,724

2,544,613

5,665,995 45%

Net Income/(Loss) 1,479,104

1,447,149

573,895

Laurel Hill Plantation

Operating Revenue

12,001

8,476

20,700 41%

Operating Expenses

10,455

7,439

34,165 22%

Net Income/(Loss)

1,546

1,037

(13,465)

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Enterprise Fund Statement

Park Operations December, 2016

Prior Year to Date

Actuals Year to Date- Actuals Current Year Budget

% of

Budget

McLeod Plantation

Operating Revenue 107,802 156,212 259,500 60%

Operating Expenses 135,748 111,658 310,225 36%

Net Income/(Loss)

(27,946) 44,554

(50,725)

Mount Pleasant Pier



Net Income/(Loss) 1,580 19,031

(61,180)

Move IT



Net Income/(Loss) (267,648)

(74,644)

(30,700)

Mullet Hall Equestrian Center



Net Income/(Loss)

(57,999)

(116,334)

(300,460)

Old Towne Creek County Park



Net Income/(Loss)

(11,756)

(9,113)

(39,270)

Palmetto Islands County Park


Operating Expenses 456,892 506,689 1,133,025 45%

Net Income/(Loss) (156,476)

(206,602)

(413,660)

Park & Recreation Services Enterprise

Operating Revenue 447,013 447,536 1,057,585 42%


Net Income/(Loss) 36,959 107,103 225,560

Sk8 Charleston

Operating Revenue

-

- 52,515 0%

Operating Expenses

- 9,135 169,950 5%

Net Income/(Loss)

-

(9,135)

(117,435)

Wannamaker County Park

Operating Revenue 1,717,809 1,759,367 3,467,095 51%

Operating Expenses 1,404,810 1,378,845 3,073,445 45%

Net Income/(Loss) 312,999 380,522 393,650

Total Revenue 8,544,313 8,932,872 16,266,435 55%

Total Expenses 6,693,741 6,853,504 16,021,860 43%

Change in Fund Balance 1,850,572 2,079,368 244,575 11

Capital Improvement Projects Statement

Capital Improvement Projects December, 2016

Current Month

Activity

Year to Date-

Actuals

Current Year

Budget

% of Budg-

et

Total Restricted Donation -

- 309,333 0%

Total CIP Revenue 260,546

802,124 309,333 259%

Capital Expansion Projects

Skatepark 2013 Bond Rollover -

5,054 5,054 100%

Skatepark 2015 Bond & Donation 251,969

725,716 2,109,883 34%

Master Plans & Design

2015 Bond Projects 365

52,105 273,589 19%

West Ashley Phase I Bond Rollover -

- 24,000 0%

Facility Repairs & Renovations

2015 Bond Projects 8,213

14,164 1,639,846 1%

Old Towne Bldgs Stabilization 2013 Bond Rollover -

5,085 53,785 9%

Total CIP Expenses 260,546

802,124 4,106,157 20%

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TO: Tom O’Rourke

FROM: Charlie McManus

DATE: January 17, 2017

RE: Computer Workstation Purchase

As part of the IT Budget, we have budgeted funds to purchase 58 replacement workstations and laptops. These

workstations are available for purchase under the National Intergovernmental Purchasing Alliance (National IPA)

contract number 130733.

Recommend approval to purchase 58 workstations and laptops in the amount of $60,000 from the National

IPA Cooperative with funding from the approved IT General Agency budget.

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MEMORANDUM

TO: Tom O’Rourke

FROM: Charlie McManus

DATE: December 16, 2016

RE: Palmetto Island County Park (PICP) – Collins Engineers, Inc. Consultant

Contract Change Order Approval

A change order is requested for Collins Engineers, Inc. CCPRC has received confirmation of a

grant from the SC Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism (SCPRT). We are planning to

move forward with the replacement of Boardwalks 2A and 2B at Palmetto Islands County Park.

Originally these two boardwalks were evaluated by Collins Engineers as part of their PICP

Marsh Boardwalks Evaluation.

Recommend approval for a total change order increase of not to exceed $6,600 with Collins

Engineers Inc. for the PICP Marsh Boardwalks Evaluation project, with the funds coming

from the CIP Fund.

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FEES AND CHANGES PROPOSALS

January 2017

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TO: Tom O’Rourke

Executive Director

FROM: Donna Gueldner

Superintendent of Park & Recreation Services

DATE: January 17, 2017

SUBJECT: Annual Fee/Change Recommendations

Annually, staff meet with the various park managers and program supervisors to discuss

their fee/change recommendations. This annual process is the result of conducting

market research, receiving customer feedback, and researching trends, with the goal of

increasing revenue streams to help offset operational costs.

This year is unique due to the pending expiration of our current park & recreation

services business software - CLASS. We are currently working towards the transition to

a new business software – US eDirect Recreation Dynamics (RD). A major strength of

RD is their on-line component. Through this transition we are focusing on steps to help

grow our on-line business. Part of this focus is to simplify our fee structure, and

formulate a consistent discount philosophy by applying residency & age discounts only

on passes, with the overall goal of maximizing revenue potential while producing a good

value to customers.

Overall the agency strives to balance the cost-to-benefit ratio by providing basic facilities

and services without a fee for use (playgrounds, picnic sites, trails, spray play areas, boat

landings), and by keeping the admission fee affordable at the day parks. Specialized

facilities and programs (water parks, overnight accommodations, marina, rentals, special

events, etc.) are provided by charging a market based fee. This balanced approach is a

major factor in the success of our agency and allows us to provide unique leisure

opportunities to our customers.

Attached are the recommendations for Commission consideration.

Recommend approval of proposed fees and changes.

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Proposed Fees and Changes for the 17-18 Budget

Campground:

Increase the campsite rental fees. If approved, this change could generate $134,675 in

additional revenue. Current pricing in bold.

Pull Thru Back In W/E Only Primitive/Overflow

Proposed Rates $55/$49 $48/$43 $44/$39 $27/$25

Palmetto Islands County Park:

Increase the rental rate of the Sweet Gum Shelter from $275 to $300. If approved, this

change could generate $2,000 in additional revenue.

Beach Parks:

Increase the vehicle fees (see below). If approved, this change could generate $237,357 in

additional revenue.

May – Labor Day Current Pricing

o Mon – Fri: $10 $ 8

o Sat – Sun: $15 $ 10

March/October

o Mon – Fri: $5 No Charge

o Sat – Sun: $10 $ 8

April/September

o Daily: $10 $ 8

November – February

o Daily: $5 $ No Charge

Extend beach park operating hours by 1 hour.

The McLeod Plantation

Increase adult admission rate to $15. Present admission is $10 per person. If approved,

this change could generate $50,462 in additional revenue.

The Cooper River Marina

Increase fees as follows. If approved, this change could generate $20,088 in additional

revenue.

Proposed Rates Current Rates

Monthly Dockage $14.00/ft. $13.70

Annual Dockage $11.50.ft. $11.15

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The Lake House at Bulow

Increase fees as follows. If approved, this change could generate $19,000 in additional

revenue.

Proposed Rates Current Rates

Dec – Feb, July and

August (non-peak)

Mon – Thurs: $2,000

Fri – Sun: $3,000


Fri – Sun: $2,500

March – June, Sept - Nov

(peak)


Fri – Sun: $4,000


Fri – Sun: $3,500

Memberships

Change the pass structure to include an individual and a 2-tiered membership format. If

approved, this change could generate $40,735 in additional revenue.

Current Individual Pass: $30NCR/$20CCR

Current Gold Pass Pricing: $85 NCR/$70CCR/$55SR

Individual Pass Proposed Vehicle Pass Gold Pass

Market Rate:$35

CCR Rate: $25

Senior Rate: $20

Market Rate: $70

CCR Rate: $60

Senior Rate: $50

Market Rate: $100

CCR Rate: $80

Senior Rate: $70

Valid for 1 person:

Admission:

Day Parks

Caw Caw

Trail Access

Valid for up to 15 people

in a car to:

Admission:

Day Parks

Caw Caw

McLeod (up to

4ppl)

Trail Access

Valid for up to 15 people

in a car to:

Admission:

Day Parks

Caw Caw

McLeod (up to

4ppl)

Trail Access

Select Special

Events

Parking/Vehicle:

Beach Parks

HFOL (1 visit)

The potential revenue impact of these proposals is $504,317

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COMMISSION REPORT

JANUARY 2017

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In the News

James Island County Park in Charleston, South Carolina is

home to one of the best Christmas light displays you’ll find in

the South.

The Holiday Festival of Lights spreads Christmas cheer across

a 3-mile route featuring around 750 displays illuminated by

more than 2 million individual light bulbs. The Christmas

lights alone run the electric bill up $1,000 a night, according

to Sarah Reynolds, Public Information Officer for Charleston

County Parks and Recreation Commission (CCPRC).

And would you believe they are making every light display

themselves? It all happens inside “Santa’s Workshop.”

The Southern Weekend joined David Chappell, Director of

Capital Projects for CCPRC, for a behind-the-scenes look

inside the shop. Check out the video to see what it takes to

get old and new light displays ready for the holiday season.

Copyright 2015 The Southern Weekend. All rights reserved.

Behind-the-Scenes of a Holiday Lights Display

See what it takes to put up a massive holiday lights display.

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In the News

Helping Out for Dec. 14, 2016 Helping Out highlights some of the many charitable events

and activities going on in the Charleston area. Submissions

should be sent to [email protected].

The Charleston RiverDogs will have a contribution of $2,500

to the Warrior Surf Foundation donated on their behalf from

Minor League Baseball after receiving the Chuck Murphy

Patriot Award at the annual baseball winter meetings. The

new award honors a minor league franchise that supports

military members and their families.

The Holiday Festival of Lights is offering $5 off each vehicle

admission Monday through Thursday with the donation of a

canned food item for the Lowcountry Food Bank. The festival

is open nightly through Jan. 1 at James Island County Park.

Sylvia Mitchum, director of the Charleston County

Department of Social Services, and DSS case managers at the

Halos holiday campaign. Halos, a North Charleston-based

nonprofit providing support for abused and neglected chil-

dren, is providing gifts to more than 2,000

children in the tri-county area this week as part of its annual

holiday campaign.

Children in need are identified through the departments of

Social Services in Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester

counties. Gifts are provided through donations from

businesses, churches, community groups and individuals.

A memorial service for people who died while homeless in

the past year will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday at Riverfront

Park, 1045 Everglades Ave. in North Charleston. The event is

open to the public.

The Green Heart Project is giving away three pairs of general

admission tickets to the sold-out High Water Music Festival,

scheduled for April 22-23 at Riverfront Park in North

Charleston. "Golden tickets” that can be exchanged for

festival passes have been placed inside select “Be Mary” gift

boxes available for sale at the Charleston Farmers Market on

Saturday and Sunday and at The Park Cafe, The Daily,

Harold’s Cabin, Albizia Apothecary, Normandy Farms and

Ted’s Butcherblock.

by Charleston Currents · 12/11/2016

CALENDAR, Dec. 12+: Lots of holiday events going on

Holiday Festival of Lights: Continues nightly through Jan. 1,

James Island County Park, James Island. The 27th

presentation of the annual festival features an estimated

two million shimmering lights. It’s one of the top 10 holiday

light shows in the nation. Also on tap — holiday-related

plays and some great events in Marion Square.

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In the News

Holiday Festival of Lights: Double-edged sword for neighbors Published: Tuesday, December 20th 2016, 11:48 pm EST

Updated: Wednesday, December 21st 2016, 5:13 am EST

By Kolbie Satterfield, Reporter

CHARLESTON COUNTY, SC (WCSC) - The 27th Annual

Holiday Festival of Lights on James Island is in full swing,

bringing in an expected 50,000 vehicles for the 2016-17

year.

The event brings a quarter of a million people to the

James Island County Park, and although it’s a beautiful

sight to see, it causes a driving nightmare for those living

nearby.

"The commute driving home is horrendous," Brooke

Paronago said. "Every year we don’t leave our house after

we get home. We can’t go anywhere from 5:30 p.m., 6

p.m. at night until at least 10 p.m."

Paronago lives close to the park and said during the busy

light season she has to take off work early just to make it

home before the traffic sits in.

“I’ve been leaving work earlier to make sure I get to

daycare and elementary school so I’m home at a reasonable

hour so they’re not crying because they’re sitting in the

traffic,” Paronago said.

Paronago said she moved to her current location to be close

to the park, and still loves using the park, but just wishes

there were alternate ways to deal with the holiday light

traffic.

“We love the park and our dog goes there, our children go

there and we see the lights every year but it’s also it’s just

annoying,” Paronago said.

With all of the traffic the Charleston County Parks and

Recreation utilizes local law enforcement to assist in helping

keep the traffic at a minimum.

“We meet with them months in advance and strategist what

we want to do differently this year, what resources they

have available,” Gina Ellis-Strother with Charleston County

Parks and Recreation said.

She said the law enforcement they do use also serves the

festival and surrounding areas if an emergency were to

occur.

“Law enforcement is well prepared and is part of our

discussions with them to escort vehicles in the area. Not just

the park but the neighborhoods that are affected so I feel

we have a plan and we hope we never have to execute it,”

Ellis-Strother said.

Even with the enforcement assisting in directing traffic and

at times reversing lanes, there is heavy congestion. Which

causes concerns about the emergency vehicles making it to

the neighborhoods that are affected.

22

In the News

Holiday Festival of Lights at James Island County Park.

It is not the holiday season around our house without several

trips through the light show. To think it has been going on for

twenty-seven years and the excitement is still there (with

some of mine I think it is because the s'mores are still there).

Considered one of the:

“Top 100 Events in North America,” American Bus Association

“Top 10 Light Shows in the USA,” America’s Best Online

“Third Best Public Lights Display in the US,” USA Today’s 10

Best Readers’ Choice Award. Just to name a few of the

Holiday Festival of Lights recent accolades. When travelling

during the holiday season, I know I have toured other light

shows, and none of them hold a candle to the Holiday Festival

of Lights.

Top Performers in 2016 January 8, 2017

"“Two of the last five years I’ve lived here I’ve been

pregnant,” Paronago said. "So that’s worried me if

something awful were to happen and went into labor how

would an ambulance get here. They can’t go on the shoulder

because there isn’t one. There are some older people in our

neighborhood as well so what would happen to them if they

need a fire truck. I’ve been assured they will find a way to

get here. That’s what the police department said. But you

just never know something bad happens and that’s the risk

that they’re taking."

Paronago also said she and people living in her

neighborhood have reached out to the Parks and Recreation

to give alternate ways to ease the flow of outside traffic.

“Our community has got together and sent emails and called

people, Charleston County Parks and Recreation, the

Magistrate I mean everyone we can think of to get some sort

of change,” Paronago said, “I don’t know if they should raise

the price even more or make time slots for people who can

buy a ticket ahead of time and only come at that time slot. I

think there are other options but everyone kinda brushes us

aside or pushes us aside.”

“We try to work with them and certainly open to any ideas

they may have for us to explore. It’s sort of a community

effort we’re open to by any means,” Ellis-Strother said.

“We’re definitely open to anything that can alleviate these

concerns, it’s just not an easy thing to resolve overnight.”

Copyright 2016 WCSC. All Rights Reserved.

Holiday Festival of Lights— continued

23

In the News

The Earth is the most easily recognizable, shown in familiar

blue and green. Beyond that, the solar system display at the

Holiday Festival of Lights yields mysteries upon mysteries.

Why seven planets, instead of the actual eight? Where are

Mars and Jupiter? Why are Mercury and Venus, the sun's

closest neighbors, depicted out of order? And out there at

the far edge, has our old friend Pluto been given a Christmas

gift of planethood?

Is there something flat out wrong in the universe?

Employees at James Island County Park reckon that more

than 4 million visitors have driven through the holiday light

bonanza since its inception in 1990. The solar system display,

which joined the collection at least 15 years ago, has raised a

few questions among young and old scientists alike.

"I remember saying, 'Something is wrong,' when I drove by

that display the other day," said Jeff Wragg, a senior physics

instructor at the College of Charleston. "Maybe the artist is

trying to make some deep philosophical statement with the

alterations to reality, though."

The artist, it turns out, is a bit of an enigma. Rich Raab, a

former maintenance worker and electrician at the park, has

been devising and constructing increasingly elaborate

displays since the second year of the festival, which runs

through Jan. 1.

"He’s extremely shy," said Sarah

Reynolds, a spokeswoman for the

park system. "He traditionally has

turned down every interview."

This year was no exception to Raab's

media blackout. He did give a rare

interview to The Post and Courier in

2002, and the closest thing he

offered to an artist's statement was

reserved and workmanlike: "I just

had an interest in it. I've always

enjoyed metalworking and

welding."

It is possible that the artist ran up

against physical constraints in

building the display. Perhaps the

addition of an eighth planet would

have tripped one of the festival's 2,500 circuit breakers.

Or maybe it's all a matter of perspective.

Jon Hakkila, a professor and associate dean of the graduate

school in the College of Charleston's Department of Physics

Mysteries of the solar system remain unsolved at Holiday Festival of Lights

By Paul Bowers [email protected]

Updated Dec 29, 2016

24

In the News

and Astronomy, has given the topic some thought. Hakkila

earned his Ph.D. in astronomy at New Mexico State

University, where he rubbed elbows with Clyde Tombaugh,

discoverer of Pluto. Hakkila's specialty?

"I study gamma ray bursts, which are the most violent

explosions in the universe."

Hakkila keeps an open mind about the county park's

depiction of the solar system. He likes the theory posited by

Lisa Knisley-White, who runs the Park and Rec Twitter

account, that visitors are meant to be viewing the solar

system from the surface of Mars — which would explain the

red planet's apparent absence from the lineup. As evidence,

Knisley-White points out a big-headed green alien who can

be seen to the left of the road on a cratered red surface.

It helps to know that Jupiter has a ring system around it,

discovered in the '70s and less well-known in the popular

imagination than the prominent rings of Saturn and Uranus.

So the next planet after earth in the display could, in fact, be

a ringed Jupiter, followed by a ringed Saturn, followed by a

mysteriously ring-less Uranus and then Neptune. The order

of Venus and Mercury is still a head-scratcher.

"I don’t mean to be critical either, because if I was going to

design the planets with a light display, I’d have to choose

which features not only interest me, but the things that I

think would be identifiable to someone else," Hakkila said.

If nothing else, Hakkila said, the display could provide a

teachable moment for grade-school science teachers. He

imagines students cutting out drawings of the planets from

the display, shuffling them around into their proper order

and figuring out which ones are missing or transposed.

"That would be kind of fun, actually," Hakkila said.

Mysteries remain. In a section portraying the

biblical story of Noah's Ark, a pair of bulls can

be seen walking onto the boat side by side,

rather than a breeding couple. Santa Claus and

a reindeer sizing up a too-narrow chimney

used to be one of the best visual jokes in the

park when Weight Watchers sponsored it, but

now it's an oddity beside an ad for Coca-Cola.

And the golfing Santa near the front of the

park — are we really meant to believe he's left-

handed?

The truth, believers insist, is still out there.

Reach Paul Bowers at 843-937-5546 or twitter.com/

paul_bowers.

COMMENTS: Gale Raab · Software Engineer at SCANA

Jeez. Can you just stop over thinking things! This is simply a labor of

love meant to provide a few smiles for kids during the holidays.

Mysteries—continued

25

In the News

Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission (CCPRC)

staff member Mark Madden was presented with the 2015

South Carolina Environmental Awareness Award on Dec. 5.

This award recognizes outstanding contributions made

toward the protection, conservation and improvement of

South Carolina’s natural resources.

Madden is the interpretation and stewardship manager for

CCPRC, where he also got his start as the Commission’s first

full-time naturalist in the early 1990s. Throughout his career

as an environmental educator, Madden has delivered

environmental programming to more than 10,000 people and

reached an estimated 1,000,000 people through exhibits, cell

tours and other materials he has developed for parks and

museums in South Carolina.

In addition to his work with CCPRC, Madden played a

significant role in starting the Charleston chapter of the

Master Naturalists program, shaping a world famous

eco-community (Dewees Island), and improving one of the

state’s largest greenways (Anne Springs Close Greenway).

“Mark has worked passionately to promote environmental

awareness in South Carolina for decades, and his work will

have a tremendous and continuing impact on so many people

in our state and beyond,” said S.C. Department of Natural

Resources director of environmental programs Bob Perry,

who presented the award on behalf of director Alvin Taylor.

“We are thrilled that Mark’s contributions over the years

have been recognized with this award, but we’ve long known

his passion, dedication and impact,” said CCPRC Director of

Recreation Steve Hutton. “We’re proud to have been able to

support his work to make our region more livable and

sustainable.”

Established in 1992 by the S.C. General Assembly, the award

is now in its 23rd year. Each spring, the public is invited to

submit nominations that are then reviewed by an awards

committee, which includes representatives from the state’s

natural resource agencies. In judging nominees, the awards

committee considers excellence in innovation, leadership and

accomplishments that influence positive changes affecting

the natural environment. The awards ceremony this year,

originally slated for Oct. 6, was postponed due to Hurricane

Matthew.

Members of the awards committee represent the S.C.

Forestry Commission, S.C. Department of Health and

Environmental Control, S.C. Department of Natural

Resources, and S.C. Sea Grant Consortium.

Charleston County Parks staff member wins SC Environmental Awareness Award December 16, 2016 l updated 4 hrs ago

26

In the News

Previous winners include:

2014 – George W. McDaniel, Ph.D., Director of Drayton Hall

Plantation

2013 – Joseph R. Hamilton, Founder of the Quality Deer

Management Association

2012 – Thomas Kester, Chairman and Treasurer for the

Conestee Foundation

2011 – Dr. Patricia J. DeCoursey, Professor of Biological

Sciences at USC

2010 – Frank S. Holleman III, President, Naturaland Trust

2009 – Dr. Fred Holland, Coastal Ecologist, Charleston

2008 – Benjamin Ziegler, Chairman, Pee Dee Land Trust

2007 – Dr. Richard Porcher Jr., Professor Emeritus, The Citadel

2006 – Rick Huffman, Founder, South Carolina Native Plant

Society

For more information on the SC Environmental Awareness

Award, visit www.dnr.sc.gov/news/ecenvironawareaward.html.

The mission of CCPRC is to improve the quality of life in

Charleston County by offering a diverse system of park facili-

ties, programs and services. The large park system features

over 11,000 acres of property and includes four land parks,

three beach parks, four seasonally-lifeguarded beach areas,

three dog parks, a historic plantation site, two landmark fish-

ing piers, three waterparks, 19 boat landings, a climbing wall,

a challenge course, an interpretive center, an equestrian cen-

ter, cottages, a campground, a marina, as well as wedding,

meeting and event facilities. The park system also offers a

wide variety of recreational services – festivals, camps, clas-

ses, programs, and more. For more information on CCPRC,

call 843-795-4386 or visit www.charlestoncountyparks.com.

Charleston County Parks staff — continued

27

In the News

ASHEVILLE, N.C. Speaking at a conference last summer in

western North Carolina, Rob Young explained how the ocean

is flooding coastal property and threatening to consume

more land at a time of increasing temperatures, rising sea

levels and extreme weather.

Young's plainspoken assessment had a room of journalists

listening carefully as the 53-year-old geologist discussed why

climate change has consequences that can’t be ignored.

“I just want everybody to admit that it’s happening and we

have to do something,’’ Young said.

The presentation he gave last August is among a range of

work Young is doing these days as one of the Southeast’s

foremost coastal scientists.

Young, a disarmingly friendly researcher with South Carolina

ties, directs the Program for the Study of Developed

Shorelines at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee.

Among the program’s main functions are studying the

hazards of sea level rise and beach erosion, while

recommending ways to better manage coastal development

and brace for the ocean’s onslaught. He and fellow

researchers now are involved in projects to help the National

Park Service protect important buildings and roads from

coastal storms and rising seas.

Founded by Duke University geologist Orrin Pilkey three

decades ago, the developed shorelines program has been

involved in many testy debates with politicians and

government regulators over coastal development. Pilkey, a

geologist revered by his students but reviled by coastal

developers, rose to prominence in the 1980s as he called for

a halt to building in high-risk coastal areas.

Like Pilkey, Young is outspoken and quick with an opinion on

why building close to the ocean is a bad idea, particularly as

sea levels rise. He has testified in cases against coastal

developers and clashed with South Carolina politicians over

the Palmetto State’s beach construction policies.

Last fall, property owners at Debordieu Beach, on the

northern South Carolina coast, contacted newspapers to

complain about comments Young made on the wisdom of

spending federal money to renourish eroding beaches with

extra sand. At the Asheville conference, Young said some

renourished beaches were so lifeless that a seagull with a

french fry was virtually all the wildlife people might see on

the strand.

In North Carolina, Young resigned from a coastal scientific

panel two years ago after he felt politicians were interfering

with the panel’s work. He’s an outspoken critic of North

Carolina’s conservative political shift in recent years, which

he contends has been shown to be anti-science.

But Young, who also has testified before Congress on coastal

issues, said he’s not interested in stirring controversy.

From the mountains to the sea: Coastal geologist speaks his mind

December 24, 2016 6:45 PM

Western Carolina University geologist Rob Young speaks to

journalists during a 2016 climate change conference in Asheville

Sammy Fretwell/The State

28

In the News

From the mountains —continued

Instead, he wants to conduct sound research and educate

people on the threats of sea level rise, storms and climate

change. And he wants to help them make better decisions

about responding to coastal hazards, such as whether to

move beach houses back from the seashore. Young said

abandoning the coast is unrealistic in many places, but wiser

coastal policies are needed.

“We are trying to communicate science to decision-

makers,’’ he said. “Sometimes, folks don’t exactly want to

hear what we have to say.’’

Young gives numerous talks about climate change and

coastal hazards, not only to fellow scientists, but to local

community groups across the Carolinas. His talks are filled

with vivid, easy-to-follow stories.

“What I enjoy more than anything is going to local civic

groups and giving presentations,’’ he said.

The connection between climate change and sea level rise is

not hard to understand, Young said.

“A warmer planet does two things to the ocean,’’ Young

said. “It warms the ocean and makes it expand. And it melts

ice that’s otherwise stored on land, and that water flows

into the ocean. Both of those increase the volume of the

ocean. The volume of the ocean goes up, sea level goes up,

beaches erode. Simple as that.’’

Pilkey, who spent years calling out coastal developers and

timid government regulators, said Young has qualities he

never had in discussing beach erosion.

“Rob is a smoother guy than I am,’’ Pilkey said. “He is not

totally idealistic. He is quite practical.”

SC connections

Young, who said he grew up “digging clams” on the

Chesapeake Bay, has strong ties to South Carolina, a state

where his shoreline study center has conducted plenty of

research.

Young’s wife, Leigh Anne, has family from Ware Shoals, a

tiny town in South Carolina’s Upstate, and from Charleston.

His father-in-law lived in Charleston before moving to North

Carolina. Young spent summers as a child with his older

sister in Aynor, a tiny community on U.S. 501 west of Myrtle

Beach. He also attended Boy Scout camp in the Pee Dee.

“You look at our minivan we drive around and it has a

Palmetto tree and moon on the back of it,’’ he said with a

smile, referring to a sticker with the symbols of South

Carolina’s state flag.

Young said he does as much work assessing conditions on

South Carolina beaches as he does in North Carolina or any

other place.

Among other things, his center has regularly kept tabs on

beach erosion at Hunting Island State Park, studied

encroaching development and renourishment at Folly

Beach, spoken out against building seawalls and rock groins

at Debordieu Beach, and testified against development of

Captain Sam’s Spit on Kiawah Island.

He also has served on a coastal Blue Ribbon panel that

recommended tightening the state’s beach laws, including a

ban on allowing development farther out onto the beach

after renourishment projects. Young was among the most

Development at Captain Sam’s Spit has been a source of debate for

years S.C. Coastal Conservation League

29

In the News

vocal boosters of restricting new development when

taxpayer-funded renourishment temporarily widens

beaches. The Legislature approved the ban in 2016.

In addition, he and Pilkey have co-authored numerous books

on coastal erosion and sea level rise, prominently featuring

examples of the problem in South Carolina.

Young’s work draws praise from his co-workers and

environmentalists in South Carolina, who say his expertise is

vital in fighting unwise beach projects. But Young also has

detractors.

Some of those are property owners and politicians, who say

people on the oceanfront should have a right to build

seawalls or rock groins to protect their homes from the

ocean, even as sea levels rise. Seawalls and groins can

worsen beach erosion, but are effective at protecting

buildings in some places.

Pawleys Island Mayor Bill Otis, who served with Young on the

South Carolina Blue Ribbon panel, said he and Young have

had major disagreements over the idea of moving

development away from beaches.

“He has written a number of articles, with Orrin Pilkey,’’ Otis

said. “Let’s put it this way: I tend to disagree with their core

concept.’’

In a letter to a coastal newspaper last summer, Debordieu

Beach property owner James Christian ripped Young over his

criticism of federally funded renourishment projects.

Debordieu, a private gated community with an eroding

beach, has in recent years pumped sand, at its own expense,

on the shore. Debordieu also has rebuilt a seawall in an effort

to protect homes.

Christian’s letters said engineers who have helped protect

the Netherlands from the sea “are happy that a mountain

college of North Carolina is not studying their coastline.’’

Mountain high

So how did Young, an Army brat who has a doctorate from

Duke, wind up running a coastal research and policy center

high in the mountains of North Carolina?

It was a winding path, he said. After studying under Pilkey at

Duke, Young took a job as a geology professor at Western

Carolina, a picturesque university of about 10,000 students

52 miles west of Asheville. He and his family liked the

Cullowhee area for its scenery and small-town feel.

Then, he learned about 12 years ago that Pilkey would be

retiring as director of the developed shoreline center at

Duke. Pilkey asked Young if he would be interested in

running the program. But ultimately, Young wasn’t interested

in leaving Cullowhee, where he and his wife were raising

their children.

A university official he knows then suggested moving the

center to Western Carolina from Duke, which Pilkey thought

was a good idea – and administrators at both schools agreed

on the plan.

Erosion problems are found at the north end of Folly Beach.

Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission


30

In the News

St. Johns High School's 17 students enrolled in the

Hospitality and Tourism Program have earned their Guest

Service Professional Certification from the American Hotel &

Lodging Education Institute.

In addition to the classroom training that began in October,

students in the Hospitality and Tourism Program have

benefited from visits for training at the Kiawah Island

Resort. Additional professional development training came

from representatives at the Charleston County Parks and

Recreation, Trident Community College, and the Palmetto

Community Action Partnership.

The students earning their professional certification are

Angel Arriaga, Ahleah Bonneau, Latisha Cuthberth, James

Grant, Emoni Mack, Jailah Mack, Essence Middleton,

Alexander Salgado, Curtis Smith, Sole Stanley, Jamara

Tillmon, Talaisha A. Wright, Daneisha Gladden, Khamil Green,

Tyleah Legare, I’muniqe McDade and Angelica Zamudio.

Established in 1953, the American Hotel & Lodging

Educational Institute is one of the nonprofit member

benefits of the American Hotel & Lodging Association, a

source for delivering hospitality education, training and

professional certification that serves the needs of hospitality

schools and industries worldwide.

17 St. Johns High students earn hospitality certificates Palmetto Business Daily Reports | Dec 17, 2016

Today, the developed shoreline center has six full-time

employees and operates on a budget of about $500,000

annually. Since moving to Cullowhee, the center has won

more than $8 million in competitive research grants for

scientific projects, Young said.

“We sort of rebuilt from scratch,’’ Young said. “Now, the

center is bigger than it has ever been.’’

The center has a lot going on these days. In addition to

developing a method to study how sea level rise and storms

will affect structures in national parks, Young and his group

of researchers maintain a wide variety of data, such as U.S.

Army Corps of Engineers studies on beach erosion.

They also keep a comprehensive database on beach

renourishment projects, as well as a searchable storm surge

database. The latter has every storm surge measurement

ever made in the United States. Aside from coastal projects,

the center has developed an expertise on river cane found in

the Carolina mountains. And the center’s ground-penetrating

radar, used in beach research projects, is sometimes

borrowed by local police departments to search for dead

bodies, Young said.

Young is particularly excited that the center will move into a

new building at Western Carolina in the near future.

Many people might question how a coastal research center

could exist in the mountains, more than 300 miles from the

closest seashore. But much of the center’s field work is done

at beaches across the Southeast and the nation, so it doesn’t

matter where the actual offices are located, he said. Young

notes that the Atlanta airport is just a few hours away.

He concedes, however, that working from the mountains

insulates him from criticism he might encounter from irate

beachfront property owners upset about Young’s stances

against building close to the shore.

“We don’t run into people in the coffee shop that we’ve

hacked off,’’ he said. “Our local legislators aren’t mad at us

for anything we’ve said or done, which might not be the case

if we were at UNC-Wilmington or Coastal Carolina

University.’’


31

In the News

Support the Lowcountry Food Bank and save on admission to the

Holiday Festival of Lights Dec 14, 2016

James Island County Park’s Holiday Festival of Lights is now

open nightly through Jan. 1, featuring over 700 bright,

beautiful light displays of all shapes and sizes. What’s every

family’s best bet to get the most out of the festival? Come

Monday through Thursday, and bring a canned food item!

For years, the Holiday Festival of Lights has collected canned

food items at the festival gate for donation to the

Lowcountry Food Bank. Canned dog or cat food items are

also being accepted for donation. On Monday through

Thursday, festival-goers who bring a non-perishable, canned

food item for donation will save $5 off their vehicle

admission fee (of up to 15 passengers). Not to mention,

weeknights at the festival traditionally experience less

traffic, so you’ll save on time as well.

Not only will donating save visitors money, but it will also

help support those in need this holiday season. At last year’s

festival, 15,893 pounds of food were donated. This equated

to an estimated 13,245 meals provided to those in need

during the holidays. As of early December 2016, visitors have

already donated more than 4,500 pounds of canned food

items at the festival gate.

Remember, the Holiday Festival of Lights is more than just a

driving tour! After driving through the two million twinkling

lights, visitors are encouraged park the car to experience

additional exciting attractions, including:

•Marshmallow Roasting

• Festival Train Rides

• Lakeside Lights Interactive Activity

• Amazing Dancing Lights Display

• Enchanted Walking Trail

• Old-Fashioned Carousel

• Climbing Wall

• Four unique gift shops, featuring the Prancer’s Presents

Toy Shop

• Santa’s Sweet Shoppe

• Santa’s Sleigh – unique group/family photo opportunity

• Mingle with Kringle (select days with pre-registration)

Special Family Events on select evenings, including

photos with Santa, storytelling, live music and more!

The 27th Annual Holiday Festival of Lights kicks off Nov. 11

and will be open nightly through Jan. 1 at James Island

County Park. The event is presented by Boeing and your

Charleston County Parks. For more information, including

special event dates, hours, admission fees, and more, visit

CharlestonCountyParks.com or call 843-795-4386.

32

In the News

The beach-going, flip-flop crowd will soon have a new

place to eat and drink on Folly Beach.

Pier 101, described as a casual, family-friendly restaurant,

will take over the space vacated by Locklear's in the fall at

the landward end of the Folly Beach pier, according to Jon

Weitz, president of Avocet Hospitality Group, which will

operate the new dining establishment. A March opening is

targeted.

The 2,369-square-foot restaurant will offer fried or grilled

local shrimp and other seafood as well as salads, burger

and fries.

Weitz hopes to revitalize the space to a semblance of its

former glory.

New Folly Beach pier restaurant to open in March By Warren L. Wise

Updated Jan 5, 2017

33

Customer Quotes

“Our first time and we were completely amazed! Fantastic experience and we hope to bring the whole family to Charleston next year so all can enjoy. Thanks for exceeding expectations!

(P.S. all park personnel with whom we interacted were very helpful - even the parking people.)”

2016 Holiday Festival of Lights - Visitor

“Everything! Incredibly friendly staff, amazing instructor, weather was perfect, location perfect. Festival of Lights spectacular. Hands down one of the best nights of my year.”

Starlight Yoga, JICP -- Participant

“Our seniors needed a day to work together and relieve stress during a busy college application and senior thesis season.” Custom Challenge Course Program, Academic Magnet High School -- Teacher

“It was exactly what we were looking for. Perfect mix of teambuilding and self-confidence boosting challenges!”

Custom Challenge Course Program, Summerville Soccer Club – Participant

“The girls had a blast working together and solving different challenges put ahead of them. The guides were excellent in relating the skills learned to soccer and to their lives. The program was very high energy and positive.”

Custom Challenge Course Program, First Baptist Soccer Team -- Coach

“Great coaches and good instruction.” Team Charleston Recreational Programs, Wall Crawlers, JICP – Parent

34

Customer Quotes

“Love the heart behind this program! Grateful for your desire to serve folks with disabilities.”

Holiday Hoedown, WCP – Parent

“I enjoy being outside in nature and I was expressly impressed by the naturalist's wealth of information, some of which she shared with us.”

Seashore Exploration, BCP -- Participant

“The nature program was extremely engaging and active for the students the entire time.”

Custom Nature and History Program, 4-H Clemson Youth Program, CCIC – Teacher

“This program is at the perfect time for working parents. I'm finally able to do something for myself and not have to arrange a babysitter for my kids while I go workout!” Boot Camp, Move IT! Office Studio -- Participant

35

Events, Parks, and Programs

This school year, CCPRC’s education team partnered with

Clemson’s 4-H Youth Development program to offer

environmental education programs to around 400 fourth

and seventh grade students. Through a grant from the

National 4-H Council and the Disney Conservation fund,

students participated in standards based lessons in the

classroom and outdoors at the Caw Caw Interpretive Center.

At Caw Caw, students learn about

connections within ecosystems. This field

experience is extremely hands-on. Students

handle bones, feathers, and furs to

understand environmental adaptations.

They sample a park’s water with scientific

equipment to understand management

practices and collect freshwater animals

from the impounded fields. Students also

spend time in the lab using microscopes to

identify and classify freshwater animals. All

of these activities give students the

opportunity to experience nature up close

and encourage them to become stewards

of their environment

Charleston County Parks Partners with Clemson University’s 4-H Youth Development

36


Eat Healthy Be Fit CSA

How better to celebrate a fresh new year than by chowing

down on fresh veggies! Our “Be Fit CSA” program offers

delicious, healthy, local produce from Ambrose Family

Farm on Wadmalaw Island with 6 and 10 week

subscriptions. Besides pick up at Wadmalaw Island,

convenient locations are at James Island, West Ashley, and

Mount Pleasant.

Johns Island County Park

The annual Maintenance Mentoring Rodeo was held in

December at Johns Island County Park. Staff divided into

groups for various competitions from maneuvering the

backhoe to marksmanship on the archery range. It was a

great day of training and team building for Parks staff.

37

http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001l1uNsKzcNB9vWxqPgDWaz53W5ihaSZFedtV2NkiVOJq1Rg9QHeimnqLKct3K9FqBLV8xXfoM7Mdozjv7eqVZAhc9o3GVcAC66w68Wmzij3pJQQK2EPkNnkxKRpyhPIPWOG1vfuqH_bisFqvtb8dfrOmkC2Ds1wQQBxZSwjzTWUhU1QrA-YJRsmL7wuNr5kfQ&c=5wCN8H0rnbC5CHdvn6hJhHfoTPHibc-vW


Mount Pleasant Pier Last month, the Riverwatch Café at the Mount Pleasant Pier stayed open until 7pm serving a full menu and lots of coffee

and hot chocolate to the many patrons who came out to view the Parade of Boats. The parade route brought the boats

right off the tip of the pier and it was a great viewing location for many Lowcountry families.

The Holiday Festival of Lights Gate Team had their annual

bake-off December 20th. Twelve team members

participated. Two winners received the coveted award for

best dessert and all dishes submitted for the bake-off were

delicious and enjoyed by all staff during the evening.

Holiday Festival of Lights

Charleston County Parks partnered with the Lowcountry

Food Bank to participate in the annual holiday food drive.

We are delighted to report, staff collected 14,681 pounds

of food at the gate, which provided 12,234 meals for

Lowcountry residents, during this holiday season.

38

Secret Santa Program Has Global Impact

Move IT! Coordinator, Tyler Cross, serves in the Air Force

Reserve and is deployed away from his family this holiday

season. To make the season a little brighter, CCPRC’s

Recreation Division’s elves shipped five boxes filled with his

favorite treats for Christmas.

Wannamaker County Park

WCP Maintenance cleaned out the sprinkler area in

December. Three inches of dirt and mulch were added to

build up the ground that had been washed away over time.

The area is once again in pristine condition and ready for

visitors.


39

https://www.facebook.com/airforcereserve/

https://www.facebook.com/airforcereserve/


Move IT! Physician Referred Program Promotion

Move IT! aide, Lauren Weathers, and CCPRC volunteer, Katharyn

Vartanian, had the privilege of hosting a booth to promote Move

IT!’s wide variety of exercise programs at the Prevention-Palooza

Food and Fitness Fair last month. Featuring activities such as free

health screenings and healthy cooking lessons, this event is a

great way to educate the public on the variety of healthy lifestyle

programs Charleston has to offer.

Move IT! Physician Referred

Chair Yoga

Bettie Clark and her son, Bill, participate in yoga together,

and Mrs. Clark provided the following note to instructor,

Elyse Overdyk on December 21:

“Today's class was the best! It really provided good

stretches for me."

Get Fit Boot Camp Style

Every minute of this workout delivers a calorie-burning boost. Instructors incorporate traditional high-intensity moves using

a person’s own weight and the latest equipment available to keep the body guessing and the workout fun. Class is held

Tuesdays and Thursdays 12:15pm-1:00pm at the Move IT! Fitness studio.

40

Community Outreach & Partnerships

Group Sales

Through Corporate Online Pass Sales and satellite sales opportunities, company employees can purchase

discounted Gold Passes, Splash Passes, and Holiday Festival of Lights tickets. In December, pass and ticket sales

generated $10,000 in revenue.

Corporate Online Pass Sales: $7,226

115 Gold Passes = $7,073

2 Super Splash Passes = $153

Satellite Sales: $2,774

33 Gold Passes = $1,980

4 Super Splash Passes = $272

29 Holiday Festival of Lights tickets = $522

$-

$50,000

$100,000

$150,000

$200,000

$250,000

$300,000

2014 YTD 2015 YTD 2016 YTD

OVERALL PASS SALES REVENUE

Stats-Parks & Program Services

Total Calls In: 6,203

Average Talk Time: 2.41

Average Wait Time: 0.23

Online: $ 29,275

Front Desk: $ 187,806

Total Revenue: $ 217,081

MUSC Children's Hospital — CCPRC staff promoted the agency’s programs, festivals,

and sold passes on December 6, 7 and 8.

SC Aquarium — CCPRC staff promoted the agency’s programs and festivals, at their

“Holiday Extravaganza” on December 12.

41

SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING

Twitter

Instagram

Facebook

Page Likes: 41,479

Reach: 137,018

Followers: 5,927

Impressions: 33,300

Followers: 3,573

Digital Marketing Summary

Top 10 Pages

Top Visitor Locations Device Type

WEBSITE ANALYTICS Website Visits:

December 2016 134,673

December 2015 120,387

Page Views:

December 2016 355,628

December 2015 342,080

1. Holiday Festival of Lights

2. James Island County Park

3. Camping & Lodging

4. Festivals & Events

5. McLeod Plantation Historic Site

6. Park Pass Memberships

7. Parks & Facilities

8. Wannamaker County Park

9. Lake House at Bulow

10. Wedding & Event Venues

1. Charleston

2. Mount Pleasant

3. Summerville

4. Charlotte, NC

5. Goose Creek

1. Smartphone, 66.4%

2. Desktop, 24.4%

3. Tablet, 7.5%

4. Phablet, 1.6%

5. Unknown, 0.1%

EMAIL MARKETING

30.9% Open Rate

10.48% Click-Through Rate

Reach: 43,713

Engagement: 1,366 Reactions, Comments, and Shares

MOST ENGAGING FACEBOOK POST

42

Stats-Attendance

Facility Attendance December 2016 vs Decem

ber 2015

PICP1

JICP2

WCP

1CAW

MHEC

FB PIERM

P PierBW

PFBCP

IOPBulow

3Laurel Hill

Old TowneM

cLeodLIHP

TOTAL

Dec 2014

Attendance8,778

208,34211,262

1,497960

10,75111,505

00

0270

300

00

253,395

Temp: 63.5

Rain: 3.40"

Dec 2015

Attendance9,202

207,05611,992

1,202355

13,72911,647

00

0274

7610

1,3950

257,613

Temp: 73.0

Rain: 3.14"

Dec 2016

Attendance8,226

204,8759,802

1,681279

11,54414,592

00

0300

300

2,0044,520

257,853

Temp: 75.1

Rain: 4.78"

2015 vs 2016

Variance-976

-2,181-2,190

479-76

-2,1852,945

00

026

-7310

6094,520

240

%-11%

-1%-18%

40%-21%

-16%25%

------

---9%

-96%---

44%---

0%1 Includes w

aterpark attendance. 2Includes w

aterpark, HFOL, and C&C attendance.3Bulow

is closed in January for maintenance. Requires event rental for overnight stay.

Campsites

CottagesM

arinaBulow

Dec 2014

Occupancy81%

60%96%

42%

Dec 2015

Occupancy88%

57%99%

19%

Dec 2016

Occupancy81%

59%97%

16%

BWP

FBCPIOP

TOTALSI

SZW

WTOTAL

Dec 2014

Vehicles0

00

0Dec 2014

Attendance0

00

0

Dec 2015

Vehicles0

00

0Dec 2015

Attendance0

00

0

Dec 2016

Vehicles0

00

0Dec 2016

Attendance0

00

0

2015 vs 20160

00

02015 vs 2016

00

00

%---

------

---%

------

------

0

50,000

100,000

150,000

200,000

250,000

300,000

Dec2014Attendance

Dec2015Attendance

Dec2016Attendance

Attendance253,395

257,613257,853

Attendance

43

Stats-Attendance YTD Attendance 1516 vs. 1617

PICP1

JICP2

WCP*

CAWM

HECFB Pier

MP Pier

BWP

FBCPIO

PBulow

3Laurel Hill

Old Tow

neM

cLeodLIHP

TOTAL

YTD 1415

Attendance93,379

531,925236,637

7,58720,960

170,704126,202

53,04839,058

90,1872,953

1851,995

00

1,374,820

YTD 1516

Attendance93,609

525,171240,881

7,75324,286

162,679109,805

44,45338,426

83,8052,255

4,039560

11,5490

1,349,270

YTD 1617

Attendance87,905

511,056229,246

9,51017,142

179,250140,243

48,83653,467

101,0962,568

1,688120

15,07836,687

1,433,891

1516 vs. 1617-5,704

-14,115-11,635

1,757-7,144

16,57230,438

4,38315,041

17,291313

-2,351-440

3,52936,687

84,621

%-6%

-3%-5%

23%-29%

10%28%

10%39%

21%14%

-58%-79%

31%---

6%1Includes w

aterpark attendance. 2Includes W

aterpark, HFOL, and C&

C attendance3During peak tim

es, an event package is required for overnight stay

Campsites

CottagesM

arinaBulow

YTD 1415

Occupancy

82%62%

97%48%

YTD 1516

Occupancy

80%63%

100%41%

YTD 1617

Occupancy

81%60%

97%36%

BWP

FBCPIO

PTO

TALSI

SZW

WTO

TAL

YTD 1415

Vehicles17,404

14,95932,635

64,998YTD 1415

Attendance25,842

46,58997,347

169,778

YTD 1516

Vehicles15,301

16,10531,304

62,710YTD 1516

Attendance27,475

54,060103,857

185,392

YTD 1617

Vehicles16,881

19,44337,731

74,055YTD 1617

Attendance26,915

50,57894,363

171,856

1516 vs.

16171,580

3,3386,427

11,3451516 vs.

1617-560

-3,482-9,494

-13,536

%10%

21%21%

18%%

-2%-6%

-9%-7%

0

200,000

400,000

600,000

800,000

1,000,000

1,200,000

1,400,000

1,600,000

YTD 1516

Attendance

YTD 1617

Attendance

Series11,349,270

1,433,891

44

HUMAN RESOURCES UPDATE

Diversity Mission Statement: The Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission will provide high quality park facilities, programs, and services to the ever-changing community we serve by recruiting, training, and retaining a qualified and diverse staff.

Current Staff Statistics:

December 2016 EEO Information

FULL TIME

EMPLOYEES PART TIME

EMPLOYEES TOTAL OF ALL

EMPLOYEES

Number of Employees 180 424 604

White 149 360 84%

Hispanic 5 3 1%

African American 19 46 10%

Asian 1 3 1%

Indian 1 1 1%

Two or more Races 5 11 3%

Male 101 205 51%

Female 79 219 49%

45

HUMAN RESOURCES UPDATE

Volunteer Coordinator Report December 2016

Activity Category Hours Volunteers DAY PARK VOLUNTEERS 8 1

HOLIDAY FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS 237 26 HOLIDAY HOEDOWN 31 11 MCLEOD PLANTATION 164 10 WALK AND RESTORE 3 1

Total Hours 443 Previous Report Year to Date Hours 1862 Fiscal Year to Date Volunteer Hours 2305

The Value of Volunteer Hours:

The equivalent of one full time employee is 162.5 hours per month. The monthly cost with salary and benefits for a specialty level 207 full time employee is $4003 per month. 443 volunteer hours/ 162.5= 2.7 Full time employees Monthly savings = $4,003 x 2.7 = $ 10808.10

46

1

On December 30, 2016, Park West Development, Inc. donated a 17.2-

acre parcel of land to CCPRC. The parcel is situated adjacent to the

Laurel Hill property, which is currently leased by CCPRC. The parcel

was conveyed with the stipulation that if CCPRC does not renew the

lease at the end of the first 25-year term; then the parcel would at

that time convey to Newberry College, one of the beneficiaries of the

Trust endowed by Mr. Mueller, the former owner of Laurel Hill.

An additional parcel or parcels, (shown in red in the image below) are

expected to be donated in the coming months.

Planning and Capital Projects Update

A section of bulkhead prior to repair.

When CCPRC initially purchased the Old Towne property from the Lowcountry Open Land Trust (LOLT), an option

agreement with the seller stipulated that LOLT would have the option to acquire between two and four acres of the

park land as a site for their administrative offices. On January 13, 2017, a 4-acre site along Highway 171 was acquired by

LOLT for $335,800. The LOLT offices will have a separate entrance and operate independently from the park. The

conservation easement held by The Historic Charleston Foundation conveys with the LOLT property, limiting their

building footprint to 4,000 SF and protecting the vegetative buffer along highway 171.

Ongoing Planning Projects: Agencywide

CIP Planning Bike and Pedestrian Planning with

Regional Partners Design and Planning Guidelines

Development Johns Island Rural Pool Site Analysis Various Committees

Bulow County Park Wetland Permitting Land Management - Thinning

Edisto Island Red Top Marsh Restoration Land Management – Prescribed

Burning Johns Island County Park

Archery Range Signage Land Management - Thinning

Laurel Hill Dike Repair Coordination

McClellanville Land Management – Thinning and

Burning McLeod

Facility Management/Maintenance Plan

Meggett Land Management - Thinning

Old Towne Lowcountry Open Land Trust

Coordination Wannamaker County Park

Disc Golf Course Signage North Trail Trailhead Improvements

Design Phase 3(A) Master Planning

Statement of Purpose: Through careful planning and analysis, the Planning Division

strives to balance meaningful public access with the protection natural and cultural resources. Thoughtful park planning ensures that we continue to improve the quality of life for future generations, in keeping with the agency’s mission.

Parcel A was donated to CCPRC by Park West Development, Inc.

A

47

Documents

Commission Update - ccprc.com