County breaks ground on scenic Old Towne Creek Park in West Ashley
from Staff Reports
The Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission (CCPRC) broke ground on Old Towne Creek County Park on Tuesday, April 25 for Phase 1 Development of this West Ashley site.
“We are proud to break ground on this very special property, and look forward to creating a park that will not only be a recreational destination for the Lowcountry, but also a place where visitors can learn about some of West Ashley’s unique history,” said Kevin Bowie executive director of the Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission.
Purchased in 2011 by CCPRC from the Lowcountry Land Trust, Old Towne Creek County Park was a site that, up until recently, was only open to the public for low-impact special events such as the Wine Down Wednesday series. The property is located in West Ashley at 1400 Old Towne Road alongside Old Towne Creek. It is a 67-acre former estate dotted with open fields among groves of live oaks, and offers views of Charles Towne Landing, Old Towne Creek, and the surrounding salt marsh.
“As a lifelong West Ashley resident, it does my heart good to see this space preserved,” said Charleston County Councilmember Brantley Moody at the groundbreaking. “West Ashley deserves this. West Ashley deserves the best”
In addition to the massive amount of work planned for the park itself, Moody went on talk about the improvements that will be made to Old Towne Road, making it easier for pedestrians to access the park. He said he plans to personally ride his bike to Old Towne Creek County Park once it officially opens to the public.
Moody was not the only elected official in attendance for the groundbreaking. Both City of Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg and City Councilman Peter Shahid, who is set to challenge Tecklenburg for his seat in November, spoke at the groundbreaking event.
Shahid, who chairs the West Ashley Revitalization Commission, spoke about the historic significance of the site. “Behind me is Old Towne Creek. If you have the opportunity, with a boat, to come down this creek you will see that this creek knits communities together,” said Shahid, tracing its route past Maryville/Ashleyville and Charles Towne Landing. “This is the heart and soul of the City of Charleston,” he said.
Former CCPRC chairman and West Ashley resident David Bennett spoke briefly before a dozen people picked up gold-plated shovels and symbolically broke ground for what is expected to be a two-year project. Old Towne Creek County Park will remain closed to the public during the construction period. Phase 1 Development is expected to be completed in mid-2025.
CCPRC’s vision for the park is that it will provide a welcoming space for all that includes accessible trails and boardwalks, scenic marsh views, a nature-inspired playground, and opportunities to learn about the site’s history and ecology. The site where Old Towne Creek County Park now sits was once well-known as Ashem Farm. It was home to Charleston preservationist couple Emily Ravenel Farrow and Ashby Farrow, and Mrs. Farrow’s St. Andrews Riding Academy.
In 2005, Mrs. Farrow established a conservation easement with the Historic Charleston Foundation to protect the property from future development. The easement stipulates that the site must provide public benefits, such as scenic views, wildlife habitat, outdoor recreation, education, and historic preservation. Mrs. Farrow’s actions have ensured that future generations of people and wildlife would be able to enjoy all the resources Old Towne Creek has to offer. After her death in 2011, the Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission (CCPRC) purchased the land from the Lowcountry Land Trust.
The planning process has been guided by a steering committee, and public input sessions were held in 2017. Initiated in 2017, the park master planning process included guidance from a steering committee of local stakeholders. During park master planning and throughout the design process, CCPRC and various regulatory authorities provided numerous opportunities for public comment.
For updates on the construction project and opening of Old Towne Creek County Park, please visit www.ccprc.com/oldtowne, which will be updated periodically with information and photos of the construction progress.
