text: The much anticipated purchase of 9.72 acres of scenic, riverfront peninsula on Lady’s Island in the City of Beaufort, commonly known as the Whitehall Tract, was closed on October 23, 2018. Whitehall Park is owned by Beaufort County and the City of Beaufort has agreed to maintain and operate the Park, with the Open Land Trust holding a conservation easement to ensure the Park’s perpetual protection. The Open Land Trust has also accepted perpetual responsibility for the care of the majestic trees that define the Park’s scenic views. These entities will continue to work together, along with the Friends of Whitehall organization, to make the park an exceptional legacy for both residents and visitors to the area.
  During the last two decades, the highly visible Whitehall property, approximately 20 acres total, was sold several times to various developers with proposals that were never implemented. Community advocates carefully watched and reported on development plans, resulting in a public outcry over a proposed density increase to accommodate seven apartment buildings that was approved in February 2018. In July 2018, the Open Land Trust made a final effort to purchase a portion of the property before permitting was to begin on the approved 20-acre buildout. Sam Levin, local resident and partner in the Whitehall Development Group agreed to negotiate terms for the sale of ~10 acres.
  The Friends of Whitehall Park self-organized in early August 2018 immediately after learning that a park project was being considered. Paul Butare, President of Friends, and its Directors felt that a call to action in engaging the public was a key to success. They created a website and Facebook page, created an online petition for citizens to demonstrate support. As the number of signatures grew, so did public and decision makers awareness. Friends encouraged attendance at City and Council public meetings, encouraged supporters to contact their elected local representatives and organized “A Walk in the Park” to allow the public actually visit the park. Ultimately, the 6,000 signatures collected and the show of support by the public helped sway the decision favorably.
  The initiative was also fortunate to receive early financial support from the Felburn Foundation, a private foundation with a mission to promote the preservation of natural lands, waters, biodiversity, education and quality of life. The Foundation provided a $1 million grant to leverage County and other funds for purchase of the park. Larry White, President of the Felburn Foundation and a Lady’s Island resident was always a positive presence at the public meetings in support of a passive park at Whitehall.
  The opportunity to create Whitehall Park did not happen by accident – it came about through the dedicated, passionate, and hard work of advocates, the vocal and financial support of the community, and courageous decisions by our elected officials. If you have the opportunity, please extend your appreciation to these individuals and groups. Because of them, Whitehall Park is now ours - a park for all.
  Other Achievements
  The Rivers Place
  Oak Island
  Henderson Tracts
  Seabrook Solar Farm
  Whitehall Park
  Dory Island
  Port Royal Estates
  Bay Pointe Vistas Island
  Shell Point
  Moody Tract
  United Way
  The Retreat
  Older Projects
  Filed Under: News, Protected Properties
  August 31, 2018 by ToddHolway
  Dory Island
  A lifelong resident of St. Helena Island, well-known local author Pierre McGowan is a true proponent of conserving the lands, creeks and waterways that surround his rural home on Dory Island, on the southeastern side of St. Helena Island on Station Creek. His books extol the wonders of the habitat, the wildlife and the people that call St. Helena home. Mr. McGowan had recently listed 6.2 acres of uninhabited property for sale. However, he and his children collectively decided they would rather see this magnificent piece of property permanently protected rather than developed for residential use. When approached by the McGowan family, the Open Land Trust was honored to accept the donation of this portion of Dory Island to ensure that it will remain in its natural condition forever.
  Other Achievements
  The Rivers Place
  Oak Island
  Henderson Tracts
  Seabrook Solar Farm
  Whitehall Park
  Dory Island
  Port Royal Estates
  Bay Pointe Vistas Island
  Shell Point
  Moody Tract
  United Way
  The Retreat
  Older Projects
  Filed Under: News, Protected Properties
  July 27, 2018 by ToddHolway
  Ten-Acre Public Park at Whitehall Could Be a Reality
  Representatives from Beaufort County Open Land Trust and Beaufort County recently approached Sam Levin of Whitehall Point Holdings, LLC in a final attempt to purchase a portion of Whitehall for public open space before construction commences on the approved development. Mr. Levin agreed to consider the possibility of the sale of up to 10 acres of the western waterfront portion of Whitehall that overlooks the Beaufort River and Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park.
  “Up to this point in its current ownership, the property has not been for sale. We are doing all we can to take advantage of this extraordinary opportunity to give this community what it has been so passionately asking for. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Once construction begins, the conversion of this land to residential use is irreversible,” states Barbara G. Holmes, Director of Land Protection for the Beaufort County Open Land Trust. “As part of any agreement regarding the possible purchase of property for a park, the development on the remaining acreage retained by Whitehall Holdings would be built according to the Whitehall Conceptual Master Plan.”
  County Council discussions regarding the possibility of protecting and using the Whitehall property for a public park have occurred as far back as the 1960’s. Development on the Whitehall property has been planned numerous times by developers. Each time, the land value went up along with the density requirements to make developing it economically viable. Beaufort County residents have long realized the value of this property, citing it as ‘a treasure,’ ‘priceless’, ‘irreplaceable,’ ‘beautiful historic land’ and ‘idyllic’ during a public comment period in 2017 prior to a proposed re-zoning which would have increased allowable density on the property.
  Whitehall is the only piece of property in northern Beaufort County of its kind – the only waterfront property remaining that could serve as a useable public waterfront park connecting Lady’s Island to the Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park. With 850′ of walkable waterfront, the 900’ pedestrian/bike trail and ample parking, it can be one of the most connected, accessible and useable public parks in downtown Beaufort. If 10 acres of this property were to become a park, it would remove almost 70 approved residential units and associated impacts.
  The Beaufort County Open Land Trust is continuing positive discussions with Beaufort County, Whitehall Point Holdings and the City of Beaufort to make this park a reality by negotiating a price that does not exceed the appraised value of property. The spirit of this combined partnership is to preserve this iconic parcel of critical land and to enhance and protect the quality of life in Beaufort for future generations.
  Filed Under: News
  July 25, 2018 by ToddHolway
  Port Royal Estates
  Two of Beaufort County’s recognized “Canopy Roads” are Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive turning into Lands End Road as you travel toward the southern end of St. Helena Island. The spreading live oak canopy passes some of the County’s richest historical treasures, including Penn Center, the newly designated Reconstruction Era National Historical Park’s Darrah Hall and Brick Baptist Church, the Chapel of Ease, the Edgar Fripp Mausoleum and Fort Fremont.
  Over the course of seven months in late 2017 and 2018, the Open Land Trust was deeded ownership of five undeveloped parcels located on the right side of Lands End Road. The property is situated on the 45-degree right turn at the gateway to the Lands End community at the southern point of St. Helena Island. Situated between a wetland system located on BCOLT-protected Land’s End Plantation and an active rookery that provides habitat for a variety of wading and shorebird species, the property provides valuable wetland and habitat connectivity. The property is home to mature, Spanish moss-draped live oaks that along with the trees on the other adjacent lots add to this lovely scenic “Canopy Road of Beaufort County.”