Wednesday during the Greater Summerville/Dorchester County Chamber of Commerce Oakbrook Area Council meeting, Dorchester County leaders shared updates on the Ashley River Park along with new plans for additional parks around the County. 

Since the Ashley River Park opened in mid-March, there have been 50,000 visitors. The turnout has been better than the County anticipated. 

The 83-acre park has also generated roughly $250,000 in rental fees. 

Among its attractions, the splash pad, playground, two dog parks, and mile-long trail are major highlights. 

The County is working on installing a climbing wall and adventure course, but officials said Wednesday there have been challenges finding a company that can bring the vision to fruition. 

Additionally, the County recently closed on 140 acres of land across Bacons Bridge Road from Ashley River Park.  The goal is to expand the overall footprint of the Ashley River Park by connecting the two tracts via a tunnel under Bacons Bridge Road.  Though initial plans are in the works, it’s likely there will be a new library and ample walking trails. 

Across town, plans are in the works for the Pine Trace tract of land. The 300-acre tract is located behind Sires Elementary School. The plans for the land include six miles of trails, a playground, two dog parks and five shelters along a pond. 

The highlight of the park will be the disc golf course. County leaders expect the course to be a destination for the sport in the region. 

“We have been working on these parks since 2012. Now they are a reality and even better and more in demand than we anticipated. We will expand the Ashley River park from 83 acres to over 400. Expand our trail system to complete the Sawmill Branch Trail and Eagle Creek Trail loops, including pedestrian bridges across Dorchester and Larson Roads, open up Pine Trace park site with disc golf and fishing, and so much more. We are just getting started and the best is yet to come. I can’t wait for the next four years of work we will do,” County Councilman Jay Byars said.

Additional outdoor spaces in the works include: 

• A kayak launch on the Ashley River. The County is waiting on the final design. 
• The County is working with the YMCA to develop more programming at the Davis Bailey Park, which has been open for a year. 
• The Wire Road property is roughly 120 acres on the Edisto River that could be developed into campsites, but the County is still waiting on the Masterplan for this space as well. 

To fulfill the goals at these green spaces, the County relies on the passage of a penny sales tax this fall. Funding from that proposed tax would build out the green spaces with trails and other amenities as well as fund other infrastructure improvements.

The Oakbrook Area Council addresses issues and concerns affecting the Oakbrook area business community. 

Chamber members are invited to the meetings, which are on a rotating basis the first Wednesday of each month at various locations. The Chamber Divisions and Councils are just one way to keep our members informed and connected.