Page 18 - Georgetown NCG 2021

Bike the Neck

17 MILES OF TWO- WHEELED BLISS

by Andrew Smith

W multipurpose path. While there Waccamaw Neck Bikeway is officially

walkers, joggers and bicyclists. While the
hile there are many ways
certainly have been challenges over
to pass the time outdoors
in Georgetown County, one of the the years, committee chair and local operated and maintained by the
advocate Linda Ketron said the
Georgetown County Department of
most popular community recreation group’s success can be attributed to
assets is undoubtedly the Waccamaw the collective tenacity of its members. Parks & Recreation, Bike the Neck
Neck Bikeway. ensures the pathway is clean and safe
“There were many points along the by monitoring its condition, reporting
For more than two decades, the slow problems and organizing regular
and steady development of the Bikeway way when no one would have noticed clean-up events.
has pushed the Hammock Coast from if we'd just stopped pushing – but we
sleepy beach community to a haven for didn't,” Ketron reflected. “Through Ketron said that although the trail is
outdoor exercise and activities. multiple County administrations, staff a community asset in its current state,
changes, losses among our volunteers, the organization will continue to lobby
Today, the flat, paved, 17-mile path we stayed the course. for improvements of existing trail
runs alongside U.S. 17 from Murrells sections as well as expansion into new
Inlet past Huntington Beach State Park “The research data always supported our areas and neighborhoods. Eventually,
and Brookgreen Gardens to Willbrook premise that bicycling and walking were
Boulevard and, from there, the path among the most sought-after amenities the Waccamaw Neck Bikeway will
stretch 20 miles from the Horry-
loops around Kings River Road to in any resort community,” she added.
Waverly Road. Waccamaw Neck “We knew our community was perfect Georgetown county line in Murrells
users ride, jog or walk the completed for path development.” Inlet to the bridge connecting the
sections of the paved trail, which is Bike the Neck has worked in Waccamaw Neck to Georgetown.
set back from the road. Cyclists also partnership with the Georgetown “These future phases will ensure safe
use other area bike routes that include County government, Waccamaw travel and recreation alternatives for
lightly trafficked roadways with Regional Council of Governments, our residents and our visitors,” Ketron
“Share the Road” signs.
South Carolina Department of said. “I'm looking forward to finding
For the past 25 years, Bike the Neck, Transportation, Georgetown County someone from the next generation to
a grassroots volunteer committee, has School District, Santee Cooper and take over the reins of Bike the Neck
devoted countless hours to planning, the USDA, among others, to complete and push our opportunities all the way
fundraising and promoting the several phases of the path for use by to Georgetown and beyond!”

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