Shem Creek Park finally opened this morning without much fanfare, never the less, it will be heavily visited by many a passer by for years to come.

Unfortunately, they are calling for heavy thunderstorms later on this afternoon, but the good news is that we will be having some awesome Fall weather here in Mt. Pleasant for the rest of the week, so come on out and checkout Shem Creek’s newest digs!

From the Shem Creek blog.

Shem Creek Park, you CAN get there from here!

One of the stipulations for the lottery is that bidders have a local business license, but we all know there are ways around that one; for instance, ever notice how most corporations are created in Delaware or Nevada due to their low corporate taxes?

“I think it’s important for everyone in the commercial fishing industry to have a chance to dock up there” – Eric Demoura, current Town Administrator

While that sounds like a fair share for everyone, as we all know, what will probably happen is that these 6 spots – 4 shrimp boats + 2 crab boats – will be won by those with the most money to bet with come lottery day (Feb, 1st each year).

And a Shem Creek fish market? I don’t see Shem Creek ever looking like San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf, so why even go there? There isn’t enough fish in the sea to sustain another fish market on this creek.

The other side of the coin is that cutting down on shrimping helps out other species with a lower by-catch over time, but for many, it’s a small price to pay when it comes to a shrimper’s livelihood or a town’s primary draw for traveling visitors.

Anyway, the full council must approve the lottery 7 days from now before it goes into affect, so voice your concerns accordingly.

So much for small town ambiance!

From the Shem Creek blog.

Local shrimpers beware: good luck with lottery for our $hem Creek docks

Sure, things may go out on the peripheral over in our Facebook and Twitter profiles, but here on site, we stay focused.

So what do you want to hear more about from us? Inquiring minds want to know…

From the Shem Creek blog.

Say the word

It may seem quiet and lonely in this photo, but I can see this place really hopping once our Shem Creek Park is born about 6 months down the road – just like this other photo I took during Mardi Crawl the other day (click to enlarge).

And perched around the bend from this ‘bar down under’- on a little spit off the marsh pointing East – are a few chairs only an early-bird can catch once the sun starts doing its thing.

Just past the chairs… there it is: Shem Creek’s ‘other bridge’: the Jones Creek bridge and its walkway that will be getting a major overhaul these next few months leading up to Shem Creek Park opening.

Here’s a few photos I’ve taken of it recently; it branches off Shem Creek between Vickery’s and what will soon be a popular destination: that tiny outlook at the end of our new Shem Creek walkway. So enjoy them now, because things are a-changin!

From the Shem Creek blog.

That other Shem Creek bridge

This Saturday February 12th, the first ever Southeastern Wildlife Expo Kick-Off Party is here at Red’s Ice House on Shem Creek.

The event is free 12-5pm – with Barrier Island Marine having a 2011 New Boat Model Preview in and out of the water (sunset cruises offered too). At 5:30, there will live tunes from Ken Block & Drew Copeland of Sister Hazel along with Tyler Mechem of Crowfield.

All-you-can-eat oysters, a food buffet and adult beverages will be available as well.

All-inclusive tickets are $40 dollars before the event and $50 dollar day of, so get your tickets fast at Red’s during business hours, or online at SEWE.com

From the Shem Creek blog.

Red’s on Shem Creek holds SEWE Kickoff Party 2011

Everybody has seen plenty of pelicans hanging around Shem Creek, but imagine running up against one 6′ tall?; apparently, that’s what lived 20,000 – 50,000 years ago.

I bet they looked like mini-dinosaurs running around to the resident dwarfs back then, nothing I’d want to run up against either!

Anyway, here’s a few pics I took at the short-notice oyster roast here on Shem Creek at Mark’s Sea Island Boat Builders yesterday; they’re even equipped with their own guardian pet pelican, minus the 6′ tall version of course.

I had to leave early to run out to John’s Island, so no telling how many people showed up, but I’m sure they all had great time, especially with the awesome oyster eating weather we had yesterday afternoon.

From the Shem Creek blog.

Oysters and Pelicans Oh My!

It’d be no small feat, but once completed, it’d be a fantastic lure for water lovers – locals or tourists; imagine being able to walk down to Shem Creek and stroll the waterway from one side to the other, without having to walk near the traffic up on Coleman Blvd!

At the Coleman Street bridge, stairs could go up on either side of the creek so you could cross over it. A lot of it is already in place. Just look at the latest Shem Creek proposal; about the only part of the walkway missing is the end of Church Street where it runs into the creek (the space between RB’s and Red’s), but if somebody was to put in a low enough bid, perhaps Town Council would take a look at it. After all, way back in Feb. ’09, they mentioned it too.

Gary Collins stated they have looked at the opportunity to connect the entire length of the waterfront. –
Town of Mt. Pleasant

Even if it was just crazy talk, the space at the end of Church St. could still be better utilized than it is now; it could be additional dock space to go along with all the other remodeling getting ready to start.

What do you think? Would completing an end-to-end walkway around Shem Creek be worth the expense of building it, the additional insurance coverage it may require, etc. or is it just wasting money that could be better spent elsewhere? It seems that if all the effort is being put into a new walkway across the marsh for our new Shem Creek Park, why not go all in and provide a walkway around the edge of Shem Creek itself for everyone?

From the Shem Creek blog.

An end-to-end Shem Creek walkway

There have been similar services offered from other companies since 1995 and Chip has worked for most of them. His Charleston Water Taxi currently operates a 6 passenger, 25′ standby boat, but he said that as they grow, it’d be beneficial to passengers and his company if they had a shuttle service from Shem Creek.

“We bring hundreds of people to Patriots Point on a daily basis and it is because of what we’ve done, not what Patriots Point has done,” he said. “But once we take them to Patriots Point, we have to tell them there is nowhere to go other than the hotel or the Yorktown unless they want to walk back several miles to Coleman Boulevard and Shem Creek.”

Once built, the town’s dock will have free dock slips for day trippers and slips for shrimp boat captains to rent.

Chip asked for permission to rent a slip on the new town docks under construction here on Shem Creek, and if approved, he’ll purchase a 2nd boat just like it to keep up with demand.

Eric DeMoura, Town Administrator, said he’d like to see this happen and has directed staff to work with Chip to finalize details for review by Town Council.

Fares for the larger passenger boat are $8 round-trip 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Chip said new boat fares will be $15 – $18 per person round-trip, with a one way option.

via

From the Shem Creek blog.

Is Shem Creek getting a water taxi?

Redevelopment of the existing timber walkway at Bailey Dock and the old OK Tire property includes:

1. demolition and reconstruction of the existing timber walkways,
2. removal and installation of new timber piles,
3. construction of fixed timber walkways and pedestrian bridges with handrails and walkways to allow for safe public access,
4. Compliance with American Disability Act regulations shall be required,
5. the construction of 3 new pier-heads; 2 of which shall be covered with standing seam metal roofing, and
6. the construction of concrete floating docks.

Additional features include:

1. walkway lighting,
2. electrical outlets,
3. a potable water line attached to the walkway,
4. clearing and grubbing of Hummock Island, and
5. construction of a gravel pathway.

From the Shem Creek blog.

Shem Creek Park design phase one

There are 2 great events scheduled to benefit the MPLC on Sunday, October 17th, 9am-7pm.

All paddle participants receive a free Shem Creek Sundown poster.

Great fun for the entire family! Experience the beauty of Shem Creek, while helping us raise awareness and necessary money to continue working to ensure our sense of place is preserved.

PADDLE EVENT DESCRIPTION:
2-hr Naturalist Guided Group Kayak or Canoe Paddle from Shem Creek to Crab Bank Island. All equipment provided.

Four departure times from Nature Adventures Outfitters’ ramp to choose from:
9am, 11am, 1pm or 3pm.

Paddle Donation Per Person
(Tax-Deductible)
$40 – Adults (13 years and up)
$25 – Children (4 years to 12 years)

Thanks to the generosity of Nature Adventures Outfitters, 100% of the proceeds from this paddle will go directly to the MPLC!

Reserve your seats by calling the MPLC office directly at 843-884-1060.

Then, stick around ’til 7pm for the “Post Paddle Party” at the Lighthouse on the Creek.

Live Music with BBQ, Oysters, and Beer for purchase.

Free Entry for Paddlers!

$5 Entry Fee for General Public.

Even if you don’t join for the Guided Paddle, hopefully you’ll come enjoy the Post Paddle Party here on beautiful Shem Creek.

Special Thanks to the Sponsors:

Red Drum Capital Group

Lucasville Investments

The Lighthouse on the Creek

Experience the beauty of Shem Creek, while helping us raise awareness and necessary money
to continue working to ensure our sense of place is preserved.
Credit: Mount Pleasant Land Conservancy

From the Shem Creek blog.

Shem Creek Paddle and Party 2010