Greetings Island Residents,

Spring has arrived on Sullivan’s Island, and we have some exciting community events planned this April with a special focus on environmental stewardship, tree preservation, and the celebration of Earth Week. Below you will find details on these events, as well as several ways to connect with the Town website for additional information and Town notifications.

Additionally, please continue to stay alert for notifications regarding upcoming road and lane closures throughout the eastern side of the Island. These activities may reduce the availability of public parking and create driving challenges throughout the summer beach season. While this construction will be messy and inconvenient at times, it will ultimately be well worth it. A sincere thank you to all Island residents for your patience and cooperation as we complete these generational infrastructure improvements.

Spring 2026 Special Events:

Stay tuned for a host of other exciting community events taking place this summer as we prepare for the grand celebration of our nation’s 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, as well as Carolina Day on June 28.

Outlined below are some of the main events; however, please continue checking the Town’s homepage and event calendar, and be sure to register for the Town’s monthly newsletter for the latest updates.

Coffee with a Council Member

Friday, April 24 | 8:00–9:00 a.m. | Town Hall
Join us at Town Hall for coffee, refreshments, and informal conversation with one or two members. Select staff members will also be available to discuss what’s happening around Town and answer questions. All are welcome.

 Arbor Day

Friday, April 24 | 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. | Stith Park

Celebrate Sullivan’s Island’s 10-year anniversary as a Tree City with our Tree Commissioners and Town planning staff, Charles Drayton and Rebecca Fanning. Activities include:

• Live local bands
• Food trucks
• Tree sapling giveaway
• T-shirts and other cool tree swag
• Tours of the Maritime Forest
  • 5am to 10am – dogs may be on the beach and off leash but under voice command
  • 10am to 6pm – dogs are not permitted on the beach
  • 6pm to 5am – dogs are permitted on the beach and must be leashed

Construction Projects

Islandwide Stormwater Maintenance Strategy
Staff continues restoration work on the stormwater pump station at the corner of Station 18 and Atlantic Avenue. Crews will be finalizing work through April and May to remove and replace nonfunctional valves and equipment and reestablishing functionality of the forcemain running toward the marsh.

State-Issued SCIIP Grant ($10 Million)
This project includes construction of stormwater infrastructure for basins surrounding Station 28.5 and Station 31. Recent work includes reconstructing both outfalls with check valves and large-capacity pipes. Major trunk lines will be installed from Marshall Boulevard to the marsh.

Upcoming work includes pipe installation along Middle Street. Road closures remain in effect between Station 30 and Station 32, with access maintained for local traffic. A detour map is available on the Town’s stormwater project webpage.

FEMA Grant 4492
This project will reconstruct outfalls at Station 19 and Station 25, along with surrounding drainage infrastructure. Final design will be presented to Town Council in March 2026, followed by permit submittal. Phase II will include construction.

Osceola Outfall at Station 9.5
Work will include rebuilding the stormwater outfall and surrounding drainage pipes, installing check valves, and re-establishing the drainage ditch to deep water. These improvements will enhance drainage for neighborhoods between Station 9.5 and Station 11. A contractor will be selected soon.

General information:

Dog Permits and Rules
Please remember to renew your dog permit for 2025. For more information contact Riley Dippert in Town Hall at 843-883-5743 or by email at RDippert@sullivansisland.sc.gov for information.
Effective May 01 the beach hours for dogs will change as follows: 
At all times, dogs must have an up-to-date Town dog permit and badge on hand; owners are responsible for cleaning up dog waste; and dogs should not be permitted to chase shorebirds or disturb shorebird or turtle nests.

Summer Household Garbage Collection
It is anticipated that the Town will shift to twice per week household collection during the first week of June.  Please follow the Garbage and Recycling webpage for further details.

Family Vacation
If you plan to leave the Island for spring break or summer vacation, be sure to contact the Police Department to place your property on “House Watch.”  Chief Glenn Meadows can be reached by email at (843) 883-5736 or Deputy Chief Monty Anders at (843) 996-8927 for further details.

Social Media & Other Information from Town Hall
Residents are encouraged to stay informed by visiting the Town’s homepage and event calendar, which are updated regularly. You may also sign up for the Town’s monthly newsletter, TOSI Talks, as well as Everbridge notifications, and follow the Town on Instagram and Facebook for updates on events, meetings, performances, and emergencies.

Town Council Meetings

We encourage the public to attend Council workshops and regular Council meetings to stay informed on all issues involving the Town. Town Council holds its Workshop meetings on the first Monday of each month at 6:00 p.m. and its regular Council meetings on the third Tuesday of each month at 6:00 p.m. Major upcoming topics in April, May, and June will focus on the development of the Town’s capital and operating budgets. Our next meeting dates are as follows:

Please feel free to email or call anytime, and my door is always open. 

Warmest regards,

____________________

Joe Henderson, AICP
Town Administrator
Town of Sullivan’s Island
 (843) 883-5731

Island History in a Photo

Island residents periodically share fascinating historic photographs with Town staff from family collections, archives, and newspaper clippings. We believe these images provide a wonderful educational opportunity and a meaningful way to connect with friends and neighbors.

This month’s image shared with us years ago and is an ode to the Island’s upcoming 10th anniversary celebration as a Tree City USA community, an honor bestowed by the Arbor Day Foundation.

The photo depicts a cluster of native sabal palmetto trees, captured by way of stereograph circa 1870, from the Library of Congress collection.

Feel free to share your historic photos by emailing them to Joe Henderson at jhenderson@sullivansisland.sc.gov. Please include a brief caption describing your photo, your full name, and whether you are a Sullivan’s Island resident.