Beaufort County Council has acquired three properties this past year through the Purchase of Fee Simple interest by the County’s Rural and Critical Land Preservation Program. The fee simple purchase grants the County full ownership of all interests in the acquired property. The County currently has contracted with the Beaufort County Open Land Trust for land acquisition services. 

The three properties are: 

• Bailey Memorial Park [map]
  
  This large parcel of almost 55 acres, is dedicated for conservation with a combination of mixed upland and wetland forested habitats. Located in the Alljoy neighborhood in the Town of Bluffton, Bailey Memorial Park will improve stormwater retention while at the same time be available to the public as part of the County’s Passive Park program.

• Okatie Highway Island [map]
  
  Almost 5 acres of land off Highway 170, the island is a preserve of mixed hardwood-pine forest, maritime forest, and salt marsh within the Port Royal Sound basin and ideal for the protection of water quality and wildlife habitat. 
  
  
• Whitehall Park [map]
  
  Nearly 10 acres on Lady’s Island with the purpose of conservation of the old growth live oak canopy along the Beaufort River for the public benefit and enjoyment of the property as a passive park.

To see a complete list of Beaufort County Passive Parks click here. For more information, contact Beaufort County’s Passive Parks Manager Stefanie Nagid at snagid@bcgov.net or 843-255-2152.