3 minute read
City of Myrtle Beach
Slow Roll Program Grows Quickly
By Mallory Holmes, City of Myrtle Beach
That’s how Special Events Supervisor Troy Marron feels as his pedals his bike down paths and through parks leading Slow Roll. Slow Roll is a bicycling program for beginners that is led by Marron, an avid cyclist. The ride takes place all over the City of Myrtle Beach. So far, we’ve explored the famous Myrtle Beach Boulevard, The Market Common District, and the historic Ocean Forest area. The rides are usually 5-8 miles and it’s called Slow Roll because of the pace we take. Slow Roll has allowed residents of Myrtle Beach to explore areas of our city that aren’t on billboards or in ads. It also offers an opportunity to teach the rich history of Myrtle Beach that many people know nothing about. Slow Roll is an opportunity to encourage outdoor activity, exercise and education. The program has grown in popularity throughout the pandemic because it provides a safe, socially distanced activity that still promotes community and health.
The pandemic has allowed us to take our ideas outdoors. Programs like Slow Roll have given us inspiration for other programs that are outside and socially distanced. We are in the process of starting a kayaking program that begins with kayak safety classes. When you think Myrtle Beach, kayaking doesn’t come to mind, but we actually have a lot of places surrounding our area that are perfect for kayaking. Some of our employees are training to become beginner kayak instructors. We are also working on a membership to the Association of Outdoor Recreation Education, AORE. We plan to lead small groups of 12 on guided trips through local channels and rivers like the Waccamaw River, Intracoastal Waterway and local inlets. Our vision for the future takes us to our newest outdoor project, Thunderbolt Park. Thunderbolt Park is slowly but surely becoming an outdoor recreation center that will include a large walking track, a kayak launch, a short disc golf course, biking trails, an outdoor classroom, and an education center. We would love to incorporate animals, fishing pole rentals and weekly education sessions once the building is complete.
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FALL 2020
PARK professionals & GUESTS who go above-and-beyond the call of duty
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SOUTH CAROLINA RECREATION & PARKS EDITION
2021 Content/Deadlines
SUMMER ISSUE 2021
• Lessons Learned: facility and park face lifts during COVID-19; adapting to community needs; virtual programming; park safety • Aquatics Trends & Aquatics Marketplace • ABCs of Special Events • Partnering with Convention Bureaus
Copy/Ad Deadline: April 21, 2021
FALL ISSUE 2021
• Art in the Park: New art features in parks; art programming; public parks as museums • Conservation & Nature Centers
Copy/Ad Deadline: June 30, 2021
BUYER’S GUIDE & MEMBER DIRECTORY
Includes the complete agency member list
Ad Deadline: June 30, 2021
WINTER ISSUE 2021
• 2021 SCRPA Member Awards • From the Ground Up: building a new facility or park; directors or senior employees who started part-time/interns, programming on a shoe-string budget, revamping a failed program to success • Challenge to Change: healthy living; fitness; continuing education/programs • Product Innovations: recreation, technology, accessibility/ADA; Accesible Marketplace
