Town presents Millpoint Park to James Island residents; community raises safety, access and conservation concerns

Town of James Island officials presented the newly acquired Millpoint Park to area residents and collected public comment on the park’s intended passive use, access and safety measures.

At the meeting the mayor introduced Kenny Brinkman, the town’s Facilities and Grounds Manager, who described the property’s history and natural features and urged residents to complete a town survey about the park. “The property is covered in mature landscaping and native vegetation,” the mayor said, listing azaleas, camellias, wisteria, crepe myrtle and a magnolia forest.

Why it matters: The property contains historical features dating to an 1824 tidal mill and, according to town remarks, was previously owned by local families and sold to the town by Rod Welch in 2012. The town applied to the Charleston County Greenbelt Program and, attendees were told, the Greenbelt application was for a passive park — a constraint that limits types of development and private functions on the site.

Most of the meeting consisted of public comment. Residents asked about opening hours,…