In April 2020, Dorchester County executed a contract with Hill Construction for construction of Davis-Bailey Park.  The total budget for park development is $6M.  The park was opened to the public on June 5, 2021. 

Named in honor of County Councilmen and park champions Willie Davis (in memoriam) and George Bailey, Davis-Bailey Park is located on 17 acres adjacent to the County Courthouse in St. George. The true multi-use park features two illuminated youth baseball fields, two illuminated basketball courts, an illuminated multi-purpose field, paved walking trail, event pavilion, playground, splash fountain and pond.

Historical Project Updates

2011-2014

In 2011, County Council allocated $850,000 of 2010 Bond Proceeds for development activities related to Davis-Bailey Park in St. George.  This amount was based on a 2008 conceptual plan and cost estimate for the park, which included two lighted baseball fields, a soccer field, three tennis courts, three basketball courts, a concession building, and a picnic pavilion.

In September of 2014, Dorchester County hired its first Parks and Recreation Department staff member to oversee this project and to develop a countywide parks and recreation system. 

Almost immediately, wetland delineation work was started for the Davis-Bailey Park property.  Based on feedback from the US Army Corps of Engineers, it was determined that the portion of the property to the northeast of the Courthouse was the only viable location for a park due to the abundance and location of wetlands on the property.  It also became clear at this time that the overall park footprint would be reduced due to wetlands.

2015

As part of the 2015 County Parks and Recreation Master Plan Update process, Parks and Recreation staff solicited public feedback on the Davis-Bailey project and other county park and recreation initiatives.  The major theme of feedback regarding Courthouse Park was for more diverse recreation opportunities beyond youth athletic fields and courts. 

2016-2019

In May of 2016, the county signed a contract with ADC Engineering to provide planning, permitting, design, bidding and construction administration services for the project.

Public feedback gathered in 2015 was incorporated into the master plan which included: two illuminated youth baseball fields, an illuminated soccer/multiuse field, two illuminated basketball courts, a concession building, an event pavilion, a playground, a pond, a one-mile paved walking trail, a spray fountain, and a veterans memorial.  County Council approved this master plan at its 8/8/16 meeting and permitting and design moved forward.

Design and permitting work were substantially completed in October of 2017 and the project was ready for construction. Unfortunately, the voter-approved 2016 funding for this and other park projects never materialized due to a lengthy court battle with Dorchester County Taxpayers Association (and others).

In December of 2018, County Council adopted a resolution naming the park Davis-Bailey Park in honor of County Council Chairman George Bailey and the late, long-serving County Councilman Willie Davis. Both men, life-long leaders in the County and community, were instrumental in making the park and associated recreational opportunities a priority for their districts. 

In November of 2019, voters approved a bond referendum providing $38M for this and other County Park Projects.  Shortly thereafter procurement for construction services was underway.

2021

Davis-Bailey Park opened to the public on June 5, 2021.

Davis-Bailey Park Master Plan