Celebrate Bacons Bridge Park

Sunday, February 17, 2008

The citizens of Dorchester County have a wonderful reason to celebrate. The announcement that Charleston Southern University has agreed to sell its portion of a 63-acre park site on the Ashley River is an important step in a process that began almost four years ago. Dorchester County will finally get its first county park.

A park at Bacons Bridge has been envisioned for decades and proposed formally by a number of advocates, including Dick Shenot and John Polito. The Ashley Scenic River Advisory Council in its management plan published in 2003 included a conceptual plan for a passive park.

The Bacons Bridge site is rich in history, located at the site of a colonial trailblazer's bridge. It is reputed to be the location of a gunpowder magazine used by "Lighthorse Harry" Lee, and as a layover for Francis Marion and his troops for forays into Charleston. Summerville residents have long used the place as a summertime haunt for the town's youth and as a wonderful spot for church picnics.

Almost four years ago, the Summerville Journal Scene reported that during executive session the effort to acquire 63 acres of land for $325,000 was defeated by a 5-2 vote. Larry Hargett, now council chairman, voted with Richard Rosebrock to purchase the land, which, he said, would otherwise be developed commercially.

Five Summerville residents — Rep. Heyward Hutson, then president of the Summerville Preservation Society; George McDaniel, director of Drayton Hall; George Neil and Howard Bridgman of the Ashley Scenic River Advisory Council; and Lucy Anne Cathcart, Summerville preservationist — urged council to reconsider their decision.

By January 2005, more than 150 people packed the council chamber to voice their support for a park at Bacons Bridge. Before council could vote again, Coy Johnston, representing the Lowcountry Open Land Trust, told council that the trust would purchase the land as part of an agreement for conservation at Poplar Grove. He also said the trust would later deed the land to Dorchester County for a passive park.

There is ample reason to celebrate. The park shows that a small group of citizens can make a difference and can initiate a grassroots effort that achieves results for the benefit of the greater community.

And hats off to the Lowcountry Open Land Trust for their leadership and dedication in seeing this through!

The Bacons Bridge Park will be a wonderful amenity for the public, preserving wildlife habitat and providing recreational access to the Ashley River.

Further, it will serve as both a scenic gateway to Summerville and a link to our collective past, represented by the historic sites of the Ashley River Historic District.

HOWARD BRIDGMAN

Town Councilman

Summerville