Perrin's Path is 1.2 miles long and is part of the East Coast Greenway.
/ Lisa Edge
Visitors who come to Myrtle Beach aren't only interested in the surf, sand, and entertainment. Some like the area because parts of the city are connected to the East Coast Greenway. It's a network of trails that connect cities from the Canadian border in Maine to Key West, Florida.
One part of that network is Perrin's Path. Unlike the busier areas of the city it's quiet with no development.
The 1.2 mile pathway stretches from 48th Avenue North alongside Robert Grissom Parkway to 62nd Avenue North and Highway 17 Bypass. It could best be described as bushy, but that's the intent.
"We are continuously adding trees and wild flowers and shrubs to encourage more of a return to natural environment that was there before we built it," said Jack Walker, Director of Planning for the City of Myrtle Beach
The path is 10 years in the making and the committee that oversees it has high hopes for what it will eventually offer visitors, including a rain garden, picnic area and amphitheatre. "Our goal is that eventually it'll have a tree canopy over it so it's be like a trail through the woods," said Walker.
The path is also part of the city's sustainable communities plan.
"We want to get people out of their homes out from behind their computers and from the television set and to become healthier. We want to encourage people to develop a healthy lifestyle," added Walker.
For those who want to take a break along the path, bald cypress trees from the former Myrtle Beach Air Force Base have been made into benches. Walker described the native species as "durable, insect-proof practically."
For those who choose to walk or bike in the area interpretative signs are on the way.
"They graphically illustrate what the birds look like that you might see on the path why they're important what they're foraging for," explained Walker. In addition to birds, other wildlife members like deer have been spotted in the area.
Ultimately, the city hopes those that enjoy their experience on the path will become advocates for a greener community.
The Perrin's Path committee wants to raise about $200,000 to make upgrades to the path. If you want to donate contact Jack Walker at 843-918-1000.
Officials say the path is named in memory of the late Perrin Lawson, Jr., a former city employee and outdoor enthusiast.
