Dorchester County parks report shows revenue gains, Pine Trace turnout and two land acquisitions under way

Dorchester County Parks and Recreation staff reported a positive revenue variance for Ashley River Park and early strong usage at the newly opened Pine Trace during the commission's Sept. 23 meeting.

Austin, the parks staff lead presenting the department report, told commissioners that admission fees make up "just under 60% of overall revenue" for the reported park and that the fiscal-year snapshot showed the department budgeted $257,000 in expected revenue but actually brought in $462,000. "Negatives are good in this case," Austin said when members questioned the slide notation.

The presentation also covered Pine Trace, which opened in August. Austin said Pine Trace drew an estimated 600 people by 10 a.m. at its ribbon-cutting and more than 1,100 visitors over the day. He reported Pine Trace outperformed Ashley River Park in facility rentals by about $1,000 in its first 36 days and that staff recorded 736 kayak rentals since opening, with staff noting the fleet meets demand except on the busiest days.

Operations and maintenance issues were discussed in detail. Austin described recurring tile failures at the Ashley River Park splash pad and recommended removing the tiles, grinding out grout and applying a textured concrete coating built for wet environments to improve durability. He also said vendor fees slipped because savory food trucks require steady lines and that staff plan to pilot a concession cart on busy weekends.

Grants and riverwork were another focus. Austin said the department is pursuing recreational trail grant funding to clear the Ashley River Blue Trail. He reported the recreational trail-grant coordinator told staff that if the blue trail allows motorized boats it could qualify for the motorized trail grant category (which Austin said can exceed $1 million), while the non-motorized category has a $100,000 maximum; he said he has submitted grant concept forms and a letter of intent as he pursues the funding.

Land acquisitions were highlighted. Austin updated the commission on the Berry Track, a 67-acre parcel under the greenbelt program. He said Lowcountry Land Trust and staff have discussed conservation-easement terms and that the landowner initially proposed a 1% impervious-surface cap (about 30,000 square feet); staff requested 1.5% (about 50,000 square feet) to accommodate a paved trail and ADA parking if needed. Austin also described a separate 270-acre parcel the department refers to as the "Night Track," which he said is ecologically significant and in process with a submitted management plan and forthcoming conservation-easement negotiations.

Staffing and planning updates included the hire of Gina (Dina) Cohn as office manager and the internal promotion of a programming coordinator (Reeves). Austin said the department secured a matching grant to partner with Clemson University to update the parks' strategic plan; Clemson's review is expected to take four to six months and will help prioritize capital projects and staffing needs. He reported the department currently has 11 full-time positions and an additional 35–65 seasonal part-time staff depending on the season.

Routine business: the commission approved the May 27, 2025 minutes after a clerical correction to an absent member's name (motion and second recorded; members voted in favor in open session) and later moved to adjourn (motions and second recorded).

What happens next: staff said they will continue pursuing the trail grant and finalize conservation-easement language on the Berry Track and the Night Track; the commission tentatively discussed scheduling the next meeting in November and will await more detailed grant and planning materials from staff and the Clemson strategic-planning process.