The city of Halloween, South Carolina—known as Conway for the eleven other months of the year—wanted to set aside a space for children and families to enjoy its “Town Green,” an underused open space located adjacent to city hall.
From its charming character to its playful holiday spirit, this once-sleepy Southern river town has become one of the most attractive locations to move to along the East Coast. Who wouldn’t want to live in a small town environment only thirty minutes from Myrtle Beach and the Atlantic Ocean?
As the city’s popularity has spread, so has its year-round population. But Conway’s staff and city councilors are determined to ensure that its essence is preserved. Coastal Carolinas Association of REALTORS® (CCAR) has been a part of activating three underused areas in the city over the past six years through NAR’s Placemaking Grant program, helping to maintain green space and build areas for community connections.
When the association reached out to local municipalities about potential projects for 2025, Conway’s grants coordinator immediately replied that they had the perfect opportunity: phase two of the Town Green. The project would turn an old gravel parking lot in the county seat into a splash pad for families, while also creating a safe passageway from city hall to the Waccamaw River. CCAR jumped at the opportunity to collaborate once again.
In late August, members of CCAR’s community outreach committee and at-large volunteers turned out to plant trees, spread mulch, paint electrical boxes, and even test out the sprinkler system. It was a delight for members to be joined by the assistant city manager and public works team whose love for their jobs was immediately evident.
A few weeks later, they returned to celebrate the ribbon-cutting ceremony with members of Conway City Council and the Horry County legislative delegation. The space was completed just before Labor Day as other members of the city’s staff began the major undertaking of decorating the entire area for the spooky season ahead of its transformation into “Halloween” on October 1.
Projects like this create spaces that bring the community together. The Town Green is now a place where children can safely play and stay cool while parents enjoy a cup of coffee or a good book at a table under a shaded umbrella. Thanks to the increased accessibility and connectivity, visitors can easily stop into a shop or grab a bite to eat in downtown Conway, thereby boosting the city’s economic vitality. The improved access thanks to this centrally located public space ensures that all residents and visitors alike can safely navigate the yellow brick road to Skeleton Alley.