Purchase
expands
lake park
By RAY WYCHE
Lake Waccamaw State Park has increased its size by about 23 acres with the purchase of lands adjoining Big Creek reaching from its mouth to the state-owned game lands north of the lake and south of N.C. 214.
Acquisition of the property, consisting of three tracts, from Waccamaw Holdings LLC, gives the state possession of all lands adjoining Big Creek. The recent purchase from Waccamaw Holdings includes land from the mouth of Big Creek to Bella Coola Road.
The tract was bought for $2 million and contains about 1,900 feet of lakefront property. Funds for the purchase came from anticipated revenues from a state tax on real estate transfers in 2005 and 2006 that is earmarked for state parks land purchases and capital projects.
Lake Waccamaw State Park Superintendent Chris Helms said purchase of the land is important since it prevents any development, and possibly resulting run-off pollution, along the entire length of Big Creek.
“It (Big Creek) is now protected on each side,” Helms said.
A 1,200-square foot dwelling on the south side of Big Creek is included on the purchased land, Helms said, but the residence is in bad condition, showing signs of termite damage.
“It needs quite a bit of work,” Helms said of the building. State park workers are currently doing a closer inspection of the residence to determine if renovation is feasible.
“We want to do it if it’s worthwhile,” he added.
The house, if rehabilitated, would become a residence for a state park ranger. The area around the house contains several small ponds, one of which is connected to Big Creek and could be used to keep a state park boat in the water at all times for use in case of emergencies.
Currently, state boats used in park activities are kept on trailers at the visitors center and launched at the public ramp off Bella Coola Road.
The new purchase adjoins land owned by International Paper Corp., part of which is leased to Columbus County, which has located a public boat-launching ramp on the property.
The latest purchase gives the Lake Waccamaw State Park a total area of about 1,755 acres.
