Play It Forward in the Grand Strand
South Carolina’s state parks have always been more than destinations on a map, they are the natural heart of our communities. Here along the Grand Strand, where millions travel each year in search of sunshine and a breath of coastal air, our state parks deliver a pristine environment to explore, reflect and recharge.
That’s why the Play It Forward initiative, an effort to secure $185 million in funding to address critical infrastructure needs across South Carolina’s 49 state parks, is so critical. To keep our parks thriving, we must invest now.
Myrtle Beach State Park, the most visited park in the state, is a cherished escape for generations of locals and visitors, offering one of the last intact maritime forests on this stretch of coast. It’s a place where families learn to cast a line, children discover tide pools teeming with life and early risers greet the sunrise from a quiet stretch of pier.
Huntington Beach State Park, the second most visited park in the state, stands as a sanctuary for wildlife and a haven for birders from around the world. Whether guests come for the trails, the boardwalk over the salt marsh or the unmatched shoreline, the park remains a masterclass in conservation done right.
And the future is just as exciting. Black River State Park will soon open in Williamsburg and Georgetown counties, promising a brand-new experience for residents and visitors across our region. Stretching along one of South Carolina’s most storied waterways, the park will preserve rich natural habitat while opening new opportunities for paddling, hiking and heritage tourism. It represents the kind of forward‑thinking investment that will benefit our communities for decades.
But even beloved places need care. Many of our state parks face aging roads, outdated facilities and stretched infrastructure that hasn’t kept pace with demand. When a park restroom can’t handle the crowds, when stormwater systems need repair or when a boardwalk reaches the end of its life, the visitor experience suffers. More importantly, the natural resources we treasure are put at risk.
Play It Forward is about stewardship. It’s about making sure residents and visitors can experience these special places at their best. It’s about supporting the families who camp here every summer, the small businesses that depend on outdoor tourism and the educators who use these landscapes as open‑air classrooms. It’s about ensuring our parks remain safe, accessible and resilient.
The Grand Strand is built on hospitality, but our greatest asset has always been our natural environment. Investing in our state parks protects that identity. It preserves what makes this region unlike anywhere else. And it ensures that generations from now, children will run through the same shoreline, cast from the same piers and wander the same trails we cherish today.
South Carolina’s state parks are worth protecting. They’re worth celebrating. And right now, they’re worth investing in.
It’s time to Play It Forward.
Matt Pivarnik, CEO
Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce and Visit Myrtle Beach
