NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WBTW) – A popular spot to fish or boat in the city is closing for what the city says is a much-needed upgrade.
Cherry Grove Park and Boat Ramp will close Monday and stay closed through March 29, about five weeks later.
It’s a launch point to explore the marsh on House Creek and runs right into the Atlantic Ocean. You can go fishing, catch some blue crabs or, like the people in this YouTube video that got more than 16 million views, see a shark. (WARNING: The video does contain inappropriate language.)
Cherry Grove Park is getting fixed up before the tourist season returns.
“We keep on rolling through all of our parks throughout the years, making sure things are stable,” said city spokesperson Pat Dowling.
The city will spend $126,000 to demolish the fishing pier at the park on 53rd Avenue North.
A new pier will have the same design, but replace the current one that the city says is worn out and old.
“About half of it is deteriorating,” Dowling said. “The other half was added on to it, so it’s just time to take the deteriorating side down and, at the same time, you might as well just redo the whole thing.”
The new pier will become the latest addition to Cherry Grove Park, which has also added a kayak launch.
The city says the park is catering to more people who want to explore North Myrtle, but not exactly on the beach.
“They like to go out there just for the quietness of it,” Dowling said. “They like to launch their kayaks there because it’s obviously calm and enjoyable.”
Cherry Grove Park will be open this weekend. The city says it will close Monday and is expected to reopen March 30.
The city says boaters and kayakers should use the boat launch on 2nd Avenue South until the park reopens.
