Ashley River Park Update--Pictures and Video

Ashley River Park off of Bacon's Bridge Road on the Ashley River was supposed to open late summer, but it is obvious that did not happen. On my previous picture updating excursion, August 25, it was beginning to look like Jurassic Park. Even though slow progress was being made on the buildings, the newly constructed activity area had become overgrown with tall weeds, there was no grass as of yet, and the roads were not completely paved.

The park's designs include an interactive play fountain meant to look like a map of the Ashley River, two dog parks, open lawn areas, playground and picnic areas, and an event space which holds a pavilion and tiered lawn by a large pond with fishing piers and boardwalks.

On my most recent visit, November 18, a huge change had taken place with the roads and landscaping. It is beginning to look like the Ashley River Park the county envisioned. Opening now is set for 2022. Enjoy the updated pictures and video.

Ashley River Park—Due to Open Late Summer…Pictures and Video of Progress

Do you desire to escape the Covid 19 Pandemic blues for the great outdoors? Don't we all. A good enticement for satisfying that urge is presently underway just a stone's throw from Bacon's Bridge Road. The $13 million Dorchester County Parks and Recreation Department's Ashley River Park will be an 85-acre activity oasis for Summerville residents of all ages on completion.

The County purchased the 3/4 mile riverfront property for $1.45 million in 2012 from a housing developer who went bankrupt. Thank goodness the housing development never took place. Although many sacred Summerville pines faced the ax in the clearing of the land, this is by far better use of the pristine, upper Ashley River ecosystem. The activity park will include riverside trails, a fishing pond, picnic shelters, a playground, a splash pad, dog parks, a ropes course, and a climbing wall. There will also be an event lawn and pavilion for events, such as concerts, festivals, weddings, reunions, and more. A kayak launch already exists at the Howard Bridgman River Access at Bacon's Bridge.

Due to the recent rains, my trek into the park project, to say the least, was a muddy one, but well worth the effort to provide Summerville residents with an update. On the day I visited, the construction crew made final preparations to lay the cement for the large splash pad, just one of the park's major features. When completed, a replica of the Ashley River surrounded by multi-colored concrete will snake through the splash pad and topped with blue tile. Fountains mounted on the splash pad will spray water. Many of the shelters and buildings were in various construction phases, as were the parking lot, the playground equipment, the dog parks, and the fishing pond boardwalks.

At present, it is a developing recreational island of projects surrounded by South Carolina muck. When finally finished, it will be a water and green space where families will be able to soak in the amenities and beauty along South Carolina's Black Pearl At The Heart of It All. It's scheduled to open in late summer. There will be an entrance fee to cover operational costs that at present have not been determined. Enjoy the pictures and video.

The Ashley River Park is one of five Dorchester County Park Projects. Rosebrock Park is already open with 70 acres of riverbank trails. The Walnut Hill park will feature 128 acres of wetlands and bottomland 2 miles upstream from the Ashley River Park. Summerville's Bend on the Ashley will consist of 38 acres adjacent to town-owned Herbert H. Jessen Boat Landing. Finally, a marsh park on 80 acres of the old Kings Grant Golf Course a mile downstream from Herbert H. Jessen Boat Landing is in the works. It will be managed by the city of North Charleston and include a walking trail and paddle craft launch.

Summerville's Latest Projects: A Renovated Hutchinson Square And Newly Constructed Ashley River Park

Summerville's new marketing campaign positions its coordinates geographically at the heart of everything in the Lowcountry. As of lately, it certainly has been the center of attention. On March 1st, the town inaugurated its newly completed Hutchinson Square Project with a ribbon cutting and celebratory party. The refreshed historic downtown area was packed with town representatives and residents. The crowning touch to the restoration features a pavilion with a roof line patterned after the old railroad station that once upon a time stood close by and a gateway reminiscent of earlier days in the town's honored history.

Next, the following day, the first ever Ashley River Adventure Race took place during which the new 85 acre recreation park located on the banks of the Ashley River at Bacon Bridge Road was previewed by the participants with a 5K trail run along with an 8.5-mile paddle downriver to the Inn of Middleton Place. Entrants from all across the Lowcountry and beyond were in attendance. The Howard Bridgman River Access was lined with kayaks and paddlebords of varying lengths and colors.

The racers either participated individually or as a relay team where one person ran and the other paddled. Those looking for a more leisurely river experience participated in the Family Fun Float. Instead of entering the river at Bacons Bridge, they started from Jessen Boat Landing and paddled 5 miles to the Inn of Middleton Place.

The weather turned out to be perfect for the event. The race started at 9:30 am with the run. The paddle down the river with the out going tide was a pleasurable experience as we navigated the twists and turns through the heavily wooded upper Ashley to the wide open marshes of the Plantation District. At the after party, food was served and awards were handed out while a band played in the background, all for the benefit of Friends of Dorchester County Parks.

The Howard Bridgman River Access at Bacons Bridge is part of the Ashley River Blue Trail--a 22 mile segment of the river running from Slands Bridge at Highway 17A to south of I-526 at Charles Towne Landing. The river trail contains 26 separate sites listed in the National Register of Historic Places, including Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Middleton Place, Drayton Hall, and Runnymede. Along this 22 mile river corridor, the Ashley River Heritage Trail makes up approximately 5 1/2 river miles in the upper reaches of the Ashley, incorporating a number of shipwrecks and landings visible at low tide.


While kayaking the Ashley River's brackish waters, wildlife you may see along the way include deer and a spectacular variety of birds of prey, such as bald eagle, osprey, and the rare swallow-tailed kite. Long-legged wading birds like egrets and great blue herons hunt the wide-open downstream marshes where spot-tailed bass can be seen tailing on the edges of the tall grass. Endangered sturgeon can also be found making their way upstream to spawn along with striped bass and yes, the cunning alligator cruise these waters on warm, sunny evenings.


Dorchester County purchased the Ashley River sight off of Bacons Bridge Road in 2012 and since planned and constructed the amenity diverse park. Some of the amenities include a zip line, climbing wall, ropes course, playground, fire pit and event lawn with a stage. Some of the natural amenities include a rice field, 5.7 acre fishing pond, wetlands, perennial bed, and acre after acre of stunning views of the meandering Ashley River ecosystem observed from a boardwalk and 3,770 feet of winding trails.

Saturday, March 9, 9 am-1 pm, The Dorchester County Parks and Recreation Commission invites you to walk the trails and submit your ideas for improvements to the 85-acre wonderland. Don't miss this opportunity.

As the ever encroaching urban development along the Lowcountry's tidal rivers advances, it is vitally important to preserve as much of these diverse and beautiful ecosystems that we can. The new Ashley River Park accomplishes this esteemed goal both recreationally and environmentally.

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