A new park in West Ashley breaks ground

Old Towne Creek Scenic marsh views and a nature-inspired playground! (Charleston County Parks)

By Jared Hocevar

CHARLESTON, S.C. (Lowcountry Weekend) - The Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission (CCPRC) broke ground on Old Towne Creek County Park on April 25 for Phase 1 Development of this West Ashley site.

Purchased by CCPRC from the Lowcountry Land Trust in 2011, 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 on 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.

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.

Phase 1 Development will include the below:

  • Renovations of an existing building
  • Roof replacement of existing stable buildings
  • New restroom/pavilion building
  • New maintenance building
  • New accessible boardwalks and overlooks
  • Playground with inclusive play elements and surfacing
  • Accessible crushed stone pathways and concrete sidewalks
  • Landscaped areas with irrigation
  • Signage/wayfinding
  • Natural history and cultural resource interpretation signage
  • Small amphitheater
  • Parking areas
  • Decorative fencing and gates along frontage
  • Preservation of old brick entry and gates, and repurposed as a pedestrian entrance
  • New paved vehicular entryway and deceleration/turning lane on Old Towne Road
  • Site lighting, various utility additions and upgrades
  • Reconstruction of an existing impoundment
  • Creation of the Charleston County Parks Foundation Giving Tree, an outdoor art installation and fundraiser

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. For updates on the construction project and opening of Old Towne Creek County Park, please visit www.ccprc.com/oldtowne. This website will be updated periodically with information and photos of the construction progress.

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Charleston County Parks