9
Year in Review - The Big Picture
A Commitment to West Beach
The Community’s Investment in West Beach Exceeds $5 Million
The KICA Board of Directors recognizes that a defined Kiawah brand is integral to the success of a community and is one of our island’s
greatest assets. In 2011 a strategic goal was established to develop a common vision for the look, feel and functionality of the island.
As the island’s gateway and oldest neighborhood, West Beach was selected as the first neighborhood of focus for revitalization. In 2013,
KICA made significant strides by completing the second of two landscape demonstration projects, initiating a review of our island’s
signage and developing a plan for installing new designs, and working with the Architectural Review Board (ARB) to identify and
diminish deterrents for individuals to make improvements to their properties.
While these large-scale projects by KICA, regimes and the resort have delivered instant impact, it is critical that this momentum continues
into our single-family neighborhoods. If you are interested in participating in this revitalization by enhancing your property and its value,
please contact KICA (843-768-9194 or [email protected]) or refer to our guide titled Maintenance and Improvements: The Kiawah
Way (included in the Annual Meeting mailing) to view examples of island landscape and structural standards.
Read the full West Beach Revitalization Report at www.kica.us (News and Updates - under Announcements)..
Landscape Symposium – A New Event and Service for Members
Eight Professionals Gather to Ease the Landscape Improvement Process
In addition to KICA’s annual member events such as Celebrate Kiawah and Dogtoberfest, the association added a new type of
educational event to the mix. KICA’s first Landscape Symposium, held in May of 2013, provided a one-stop shop for KICA members
to get new landscaping ideas, or solve current landscaping issues, through chatting with or listening to presentations by our island’s
landscaping and property improvement experts, while shopping for native plants that were propagated in KICA’s greenhouse.
John Tarkany, KICA’s landscape designer for the West Beach revitalization project, spoke as part of the day-long program, and
consulted with members on their properties – often working from plans or photos they brought with them. ARB staff and
board members offered free minor landscape reviews for the day.
The other professionals who presented and worked with those in attendance were Mark Permar (KICA’s consultant on the West Beach
revitalization project), Dave Achey (KICA Director of Land Management), Justin Core (Kiawah Conservancy), Ryan Watkins (Brownswood
Nursery), Jeff Jackson (SC Native Plant Society), Lois Bryant (Kiawah Garden Club) and Bill Blizard (Kiawah Naturalist Club).
The next symposium will be held on Friday, April 25 with a plant sale on Saturday, April 26.