Dorchester County residents of all ages are one step closer to having an additional outdoor recreational space.
With a vote Tuesday of six in favor and one absent (David Chinnis), County Council approved the final master plan for the Ashley River Park property.
"We’ve had a lot of meetings over the years to get to this point," said newly-appointed Council Chairman Jay Byars. "Everybody I've talked to just can't wait for this to happen."
Before voting, council got a look at the finalized plan, presented by park designer, Summerville's Seamon, Whiteside and Associates. Officials announced the park can be built in one phase for under $8 million, according to Chris Campeau, the company's director of landscape architecture.
"It's in keeping with the county's plan and will serve various age groups," Campeau said, "and get built within budget and built on time."
County Parks and Recreation Director Eric Davis stood alongside Campeau to help answer council's questions. Davis was hired in 2015 to finalize a master parks plan for the county. Ashley River is the plan's "cornerstone" park and top priority.
"Council’s approval...tonight allows us to continue the steady progress we have made on opening this unique property to the public," Davis said.
Part of the park funding will stem from the $13 million a voter-approved bond referendum, passed in November, earmarked for county park development. The $43 million quality of life referendum also provided $30 million for new libraries.
After hearing the park's elaborate layout—including but not limited to a fishing pond, amphitheater, kayak access, lawn and fire pit for Scouts and church camps, a ropes course and pavilion with restrooms for weddings and other events—other councilmen chimed in with praise and support of the project.
"I applaud you for this," Councilman George Bailey told Campeau and Davis.
Fellow Councilman Larry Hargett also had positive remarks for the park design.
"I think it's an exciting plan, and I support it," he said. "I look forward to (it) getting started here."
The plan calls for groundbreaking later this year—either late summer or early fall—Campeau said. Permitting and design development is slated to begin in April or May.
The county purchased the roughly 80-acre property in 2012, using $1.5 million from the $5 million bond referendum voters approved in 2010. Initially slated for residential housing until the developer went bankrupt, the land came furbished with a gazebo, pond and walking trails.
Once opened, Ashley River Park will be the second county-operated park property. Currently Rosebrock Park is the only one. It's located on Beech Hill Road near Highway 61, catty-corner to the Ashley River Park property across the Ashley River.
Though supportive of the new park design, Councilman Willis Davis reminded Campeau and Davis not to forget about increasing recreational opportunities for upper county residents.
"I don’t want it to be on the back burner," Davis said. "Parks on the upper end of the county, (folks have) been waiting on for a long time."
But the master parks plan hasn't slighted the county seat. It has also labeled a courthouse park in St. George as a top priority—partial funding again stemming from the 2016 referendum.
A third park property, Pine Trace Natural Area, is also in the works and planned for an area off Miles Jamison Road.
For more information on the master parks plan, visit dorchestercounty.net.
