Edisto Lakes Park (Wire Road) 

This property was identified as a potential park several years ago. On March 11, 2022, the County purchased 124.97 acres for $575,000 which was part of a 430-acre property owned by the S.C. Audubon Society.

The properties combined have 6 fishing ponds and over a mile of frontage along the Edisto River. The County intends to operate its 125-acre portion of the property for an active public park featuring fishing, paddling, picnic areas, and likely a campground. Discussions are currently underway with SC Audubon regarding a land use agreement for passive access to the portion of the property they retain. After property acquisition costs, the remaining budget (at this time) for the park is $152,884.85, which will likely be used to fund a master plan for the site.

The Audubon Society has plans to restore and improve the remaining acres as part of a U.S. Army Corps draft mitigation plan. They intend to use the site as a public demonstration of bottomland hardwood restoration. The Audubon Society has expressed their excitement about the opportunities for public interaction through demonstration and educational programming at the park in coordination with Dorchester County staff.

County staff met with Audubon and Stantec at the park site in September 2022. Another meeting with Stantec took place October 6 to discuss the scope of their proposal. Master Planning is beginning.

Beginning of 2023, Dorchester County's Legal Department has been drafting a land-use agreement with Audubon. An agreement for additional surveying has been sent to Administration for review. The master plan agreement with Stantec is in the process of being finalized. Tree, topography, and wetland surveys are underway. Proposals for master planning services has been sent to Stantec.