CAROLINA FOREST, S.C. (WBTW)- In a press release, the Carolina Forest Civic Association (“CFCA”) announced the planning phase of its reorganization efforts are fully under way and coming to a close this month. The CFCA Board of Directors accepted a special committee of volunteers to assist in the reorganization efforts.

The committee has been working on ways to improve participation in the CFCA leadership through a revitalization of the Board of Directors and population of the many standing committees; implementing plans to add a benevolent arm to the association; increase Carolina Forest HOA and Business participation; long term strategic planning and prioritization of community projects to have the CFCA be the leader in; starting and implementing fundraising events; and the potential hiring of staff to assist the CFCA in implementing and meeting our long term goals.

The group will kick things off with a new media project. It received the 2015 Palmetto Pride Grant for $2500 and Tanger Outlets matched that amount. At the end of this month it will begin planting trees at Medians along River Oaks Boulevard and then go down Carolina Forest Boulevard in March. It’s just the beginning of what board members want to see in the area.

“We’d like to see additional parks maybe an amphitheater coming into Carolina Forest. Is it going to happen today? No is it going to happen tomorrow no but we need to start planning and reaching to the people who can make it happen tomorrow so we are working on those issues, CFCA Treasurer Carole vanSickler said.

In a meeting Wednesday night, the group will also discuss traffic issues along Carolina Forest Boulevard. Residents are not concerned the county will actually help ease congestion.

“Our major concern is Carolina Forest Boulevard, they recently put in some left hand turn lanes and they’re going to be doing a major paving during the summer of 2015 but they’re not planning and there is no money put forward at this point and time to widen Carolina Forest,” vanSickler added.

The Ride 3 committee is currently considering what road projects to move forward and Carolina Forest is on that list. The meeting is Wednesday, February 18, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. at the Carolina Forest Rec. Center.