Public Input Needed For Park Plan

The Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission (CCPRC) will host a second public meeting and workshop about the future of the agency’s property located near the Limehouse Bridge. This piece of land, located in the Stono River between West Ashley and Johns Island, will become the “Stono River County Park.” It is currently undeveloped and a master plan is in the works to make it a CCPRC facility. The public is invited to attend the meeting, held on Tuesday, Aug. 26, from 6-7:30 p.m. at St. John’s High School, located at 1518 Main Road on Johns Island.
At the meeting, project leaders will present information on the site as well as current conceptual design alternatives for the property. The public will be invited to share comments and opinions about what they would like to see at the property. The meeting will be hosted by staff from CCPRC and the agency’s consultants for the property, Stantec.
As for the future direction of the property, Julie Hensley, CCPRC’s director of planning, notes that citizens should understand that it still may be a matter of years before the park is developed. “However, we are very excited about the opportunities for trail connections offered by this site and look forward to developing the master plan for the property,” said Hensley.
In December of 2012, CCPRC received the property through a generous donation. The site offers opportunities for kayaking, bird watching and other recreational activities. The master planning process for this project will explore pedestrian and vehicular circulation, a dock connection to the marsh island and river, and constructed improvements that provide opportunities for recreation.
Beyond the site, the planning process will explore connections to the West Ashley Greenway and the Southeast Coast Saltwater Paddling Trail. The intended process will include seeking guidance and input from a Steering Committee and the community.
The 85.5-acre site is situated in the West Ashley and Johns Island areas of the City of Charleston, near the Limehouse Bridge. It is composed of approximately 25.3 acres of highland, a 12.2-acre marsh island and 48 acres of marsh adjoining the Stono River. A proposed development had begun infrastructure improvements at the property when it was acquired and donated to CCPRC. Portions are zoned under conservation and others are restricted to recreational use. The property’s plant communities consist of mixed-mesic, bottomland hardwood, and maritime forests, as well as early successional and tidal salt marsh.
An active CSX rail line abuts the property to the north, and the West Ashley Greenway terminus is within 300 yards of the site. With its close proximity to the Greenway, the property provides an excellent opportunity to serve as a trailhead. Its adjacency to the CSX rail line also creates the potential to extend the Greenway to the south. Stunning views of the Stono River and the potential for water access create further opportunities for passive recreation and enjoyment, including a potential connection to the proposed Southeast Coast Saltwater Paddling Trail.
This is the second public workshop about this future park property. The first meeting was held in July. Members of the public who were unable to attend the first workshop are encouraged to view that meeting’s presentation online and to learn more about the property in advance at www.CharlestonCountyParks.com/StonoRiverCountyPark. Feedback received from both public meetings and surveys will be used to develop a master plan for the property.