INGRAM DUNES HIDDEN GEM

INGRAM DUNES HIDDEN GEM

Today is Earth Day and what a day to tell you about the Ingram Dunes Hidden Gem in North Myrtle Beach!  Nestled among a residential area and only a few blocks from the ocean, there is a beautiful piece of history.  The Ingram Dunes are 50 feet above sea level and it’s believed they are 80,000 years old. They are one of the highest and oldest dune systems that is still in a natural state on the entire South Carolina Coast.

 

There are two options for the Ingram Dunes, one is to preserve the Dunes since it is the last remaining Green Woods and High Dunes left east of Highway 17 in North Myrtle Beach and would be a beautiful and serene place for walking the trails or just sitting to reflect the beauty of nature.  With the Ingram Dunes covered with majestic Live Oak trees that are many, many years old, this area is truly a hidden gem. Imagine a wildlife sanctuary where many birds and animals could call home and a variety of trails to take a nature hike with family and friends.

 

The second option would be for the land to be developed, bulldozed flat and build houses on it.  Once the Ingram Dunes are gone, they are gone forever and our children, our children’s children and even the visitors and tourists will never know the Dunes every existed.

 

Currently, the nine plus acres of the Ingram Dunes are privately owned with a developer looking into purchasing the land to build 31 homes.  A local grassroots group has started “Preserve Ingram Dunes” to education people about this only area of its kind in North Myrtle Beach with the beautiful old Live Oak trees and preserve the area so there will be a natural beauty forever in the middle of the city.   The City of North Myrtle Beach has joined in and is looking into options in the hopes that it can be purchased and make the preservation happen. If this happens,

 

WHAT IS INGRAM DUNES

9+ acres of coastal maritime forest located off Hillside Drive between 9th Avenue
South and 11th Avenue South
– One of the highest and oldest relic dune systems in the entire state of South Carolina
– 50 feet above sea level and thousands of years old
– Covered in beautiful Live Oak trees and home to many native animals and plants
– One of the last remaining examples of the beach’s natural history
– Has been enjoyed by generations of the city’s residents

 

WHY SHOULD WE SAVE THE INGRAM DUNES

Preserve one of the last unspoiled stretches of forest in North Myrtle Beach. Once
these dunes are destroyed they cannot be replaced.
– A unique attraction for our area: It is one of the highest dunes left in the entire state of
South Carolina
– Preserve a natural place for future generations to enjoy: Generations of residents have
enjoyed walking through Ingram Dunes. The property is filled with pathways – it is a
ready-made preserve.
– Provide a peaceful, shaded refuge from the heat and sun for residents and tourists
alike.
– Keep our beaches and waterways clean: The dunes naturally absorb and manage
storm water that would otherwise cause flooding in our neighborhood and pollution
runoff to our streets, waterways, and beaches.
– Save money: The City of North Myrtle Beach is expecting to spend well over $100
million dollars on storm water mitigation in the next 35 years. This storm water problem
is caused in part by the destruction of natural habitats like Ingram Dunes. One inch of
rain falling on one acre of forest would result in 750 gallons of runoff, but if the same
rains were to fall on one acre of paved parking lot there were be 27,000 gallons of
runoff.

 

 

When you look at these breathtaking photos of Ingram Dunes, it’s hard to believe this is only a few blocks from the ocean but they have so many benefits.  Besides being a true living legacy for the Ingram family, the land protects us from hurricanes and helps stop run-off to the ocean where the water quality is already threatened.  If this land can be preserved, it will be able to be loved, enjoyed, admired and appreciated by residents, visitors and tourists for many generations to come.

 

I hope you will take the time to view this short video so you can get a better idea of where Ingram Dunes are located in the City of North Myrtle Beach, the beauty that surrounds the area and what a great asset this would become if preserved.

For more information, please visit the following websites:

www.ingramdunes.org

https://www.ingramdunes.org/about

http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/news/local/article209340104.html

www.facebook.com/ingramdunes

Would you like to help save the Ingram Dunes?   Share this to your social sites to get the word out about this hidden gem.  The more exposure, the more people will see why this area needs to be preserved instead of being developed with homes.  Slowly, all the areas like this could be flattened and turned into shopping centers or subdivisions, not just in North Myrtle Beach, but your own area.  Please help by sharing so if you come visit our fine city, you will have a bit of nature to visit as well.

Another way to help is by sending a donation to The City of North Myrtle Beach.  If you are a local of the area, have been a visitor or tourist of this fine city or just want to help preserve the beautiful dunes, please consider making a donation so your friends and family can visit the Ingram Dunes for generations.

The City of North Myrtle Beach is accepting donations towards the purchase of Ingram Dunes. Donations are tax deductible and will be returned to donors in the event the property cannot be purchased.

Here’s how to donate:
– Write a check to “City of North Myrtle Beach”
– Put “Ingram Dunes Fund” as the Memo
– Drop off or mail your check to City Hall 1018 2nd Ave S, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582

It’s critical to our effort that we get this information out there, as we will need donated money from the public to get this property purchased and preserved. The city will put in one part, conservation banks another part, and public donations the other part.

 

I would like to thank Brittany Callahan for helping me with the photos and video for my blog.

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Martha DeMeo

I started my blog on Christmas Day 2014 mainly to review products I received. Since then it has evolved into many other categories of lifestyles, family, money saving ideas, low cost, delicious and healthy meals plus other surprise posts. My granddaughter has her own category, Alex's Articles and the latest addition to my blog is my great granddaughter now has her category, Lia's Likings The Baby Blogger! Lia started blogger at 8 months old and she now has a Friday Story Time blog you won't want to miss! I welcome you to join the conversation, ask a question, give a suggestion or leave a comment on any blog post. I hope you enjoy Lia's Likings, she has some great posts that will make you smile!

14 Discussion to this post

  1. I hope it gets preserved! I have been to Myrtle Beach several times and have loved it every time I went. Especially that place where everything is? Wish I cd think of the name but it has stores, a Johnny Rocket restaurant, Hard Rock Cafe (I hate there 2-3 times last time I was there), a Dueling Pianos place – it was fun!

    • Martha says:

      That’s cool that you’ve visited here Jeanine! You are talking about Broadway at the Beach however Hard Rock Cafe is no longer there. Locals hardly ever visit the tourist attractions, heck Rich and I don’t even go to the beach unless we are installing window treatments! If you get this way again be sure to let me know, I”d love to meet you in person!

  2. Jen Nipps says:

    Those are some amazing trees! It sounds like a beautiful place.

    • Martha says:

      The live oak trees are so majestic Jen and it would be a shame to remove such old trees. We need green space among all the building. Thanks for touring the dunes!

  3. I visited them when I went to Myrtle Beach for a client. We need to take these habitats more seriously, as climate change evidences the changes we are wreaking upon our environment.

    • Martha says:

      Small world Roy! I can’t imagine this area being bulldozed and turned into yet another sub-division. I could see it as a great wildlife refuge since there is hardly anywhere from them to go since developers are building everywhere. If you get this way again, let me know!

  4. Elaine says:

    How beautiful these Ingram Dunes are! It sounds like it would be more beneficial for the community to keep these dunes . I sure hope these are preserved!

    • Martha says:

      I sure hope it can be worked out to preserve them Elaine. We have so many houses going up in our area, there will not be any green area left soon. We will be living in a concrete jungle. Thanks for visiting the beautiful dunes.

  5. Andria Perry says:

    One day I plan to make my way to Mytle beach. I love the photos Martha.

  6. Damien Triouleyre says:

    What a beautiful article you and Brittany have written on the Ingram Dunes in North Myrtle Beach, SC.
    I can’t tell you how magical and peaceful it is to wander into the Dunes, climb to the tops of the Dunes and rest under her live oaks… one has to walk there to really know the magic here.

    • Martha says:

      Thank you Damien! Just after I wrote this chapter, I read where the developer withdraw their offer to purchase the dunes. Hoping the city, residents, tourists and conservation groups can make it happen to become that magically place to visit for generations to come. I plan to blog updates as they progress. Thanks for stopping by my blog.

  7. Thanks again for your wonderful Blog on the Ingram Dunes, and congratulations on your April Blog Challenge! We are having a “Gala to Preserve the Dunes” to Celebrate the Dunes and to raise money to save them. It is on Saturday May 19th at 6:30pm at the NMB Museum on 2nd Ave North. Tickets can be purchased there. All are welcome to come, have some fun and celebrate the Dunes together.

    • Martha says:

      Thanks Damien, I enjoy challenges of all kinds and getting the word out about the Ingram Dunes challenge was perfect for my Blog Challenge! I will share the Celebrate date with others and hope my hubby and I can attend also. Looking forward to writing an update on my blog as info on the Dunes progresses. Thanks for visiting my blog again!

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