Shade Systems

March 24, 2012
Myrtle Beach, SC

Shade Systems^™ completes $1 million shade project for the new Myrtle Beach Boardwalk

Since vacationers left last summer, Myrtle Beach, S.C., has had a little work done. The new Myrtle Beach Boardwalk officially opened to rave reviews on May 15th, and a stroll along its seaside promenade has become a “cool” experience thanks to the functional and aesthetically pleasing ‘Sail’ canopies manufactured by Shade Systems, Inc. Dotting the boardwalk at several locations along its 1.2 mile length, the Shade Systems canopies provide up to 99% screening of the sun’s harmful U.V. rays for residents and visitors alike, and punctuate the new boardwalk with colorful splashes of color.

Read the article about this project in Landscape Architect Specifier & News!

The boardwalk project cost a total of $7 million to build, including approximately $1 million for the ‘Sail’ canopies, and is the responsibility of the Myrtle Beach Downtown Redevelopment Corporation (DRC) The DRC was established in 1999 with the goal of establishing strategic aesthetic, functional and business developments and the addition and enhancement of public infrastructure, including the boardwalk.

It’s all in an effort to boost tourism to the area, which like many travel destinations has struggled during the recent economic downturn. In the past three years, the Grand Strand saw the loss of a landmark amusement pavilion, the closing of the much-publicized Hard Rock Park and vacancy rates that had hoteliers nearly giving away rooms.

But tourism officials say the setbacks have reinvigorated the region and led to a burst of new ideas and projects, including the $7 million boardwalk in the center of downtown.

The boardwalk, which runs from the 14th Avenue Pier to the Second Avenue Pier, will appeal to those who enjoy strolling the boards, walking down the beach, and checking out attractions, said Kimberly Miles, public relations manager for Myrtle Beach. The southernmost end will feature an oceanfront park.

Myrtle Beach Downtown Redevelopment Executive Director David Sebok helped spearhead the project and he says the opening was “very heartwarming. It’s very emotional. It’s kind of like giving birth, you know, or having a child we’ve given birth to the new boardwalk and it’s pretty emotional feeling, we know it’s going to be around for a long time, we know it’s going to make a lot of people happy and enjoy this oceanfront that couldn’t enjoy it before,” said Sebok.

The first section, the North Walkway, extends from the 14th Avenue North Pier to Plyler Park at the foot of Mr. Joe White Avenue. It features a raised wooden deck, with dune landscaping and vegetation, to create a serene, peaceful and natural environment and beach experience. The walkway in this section is eight feet wide with connecting pathways to beach access points. The second section, the high-intensity portion of the boardwalk, extends from Plyler Park to Eighth Avenue North.

See more information about fabric Shade Sails lit at night!

This section adjoins beachfront stores and shops and invokes a carnival and nostalgia atmosphere with its sights, sounds and energy. This section ranges from 26 to 50 feet in width. The third and final section, the South Promenade, continues from Eighth Avenue North to First Avenue North, just south of the Second Avenue Pier. The South Promenade is a lineal park promenade with benches and natural landscaping. This section offers relaxing views of the beach and passive recreational opportunities. Main walkways are 12 feet wide, while secondary paths are eight feet wide. And along the way are the Shade Systems Sails, providing comforting shade for passersby!

The consulting landscape architects, The Landart Company, located right in Myrtle Beach, together with City of Myrtle Beach staff, recognized the need for shade structures along the boardwalk and specified Shade Systems ‘Sail’ products for this high-profile project due to its stringent quality standards, design capabilities, and experience with similar demanding beachside shade cover projects and their attendant susceptibility to corrosion. One of the key features of the Shade Systems product cited for this project was its innovative Single-Point connection system, which allows for easy removal and reattachment of the shade canopies in the event of hurricane.

So, Myrtle Beach is open for business with its new boardwalk, restaurants, and shops alongside the pristine Atlantic beaches, and ample shade protection courtesy of the new Shade Systems ‘Sail’ canopies make this the coolest walk on the eastern seaboard!