NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WBTW) – People who want to save the Ingram Dunes in North Myrtle Beach say time is running out to buy the land to keep it from being developed.
Many residents of the city have been working to preserve the dunes for more than two years.
The Ingram Dunes are said to be the oldest, highest relic dunes on South Carolina’s coast.
A developer wants to build dozens of houses on the land, but the city and local advocates are trying to buy the dunes. The property costs more than $3 million. So far, the group and the city have raised a little over $1 million together.
Back in February, The South Carolina Conservation Bank gave North Myrtle Beach a $510,000 grant to go towards purchasing the dunes, and the city has one month to determine whether or not it is able to purchase the property or lose the funding.
“It feels like things are coming to a head,” Brittany Callahan, a resident of North Myrtle Beach and a member of the North Myrtle Beach Historic Preservation Society said.
“It’s exciting and a little nerve-wracking at the same time, but we all remain hopeful that we can save this and get it preserved so that everyone can enjoy it for a very long time now.”
Members of the group working to preserve the dunes are hosting fundraisers to help buy the land.
Their first fundraiser will be “A Night Under the Stars” on Satruday, April 27 at 7pm at the North Myrtle Beach Area Historical Museum. All donations made to the Ingram Dunes efforts are tax deductable.
