Plan Approved for Pine Trace Park

County Council approved conceptual plans Monday for its 306-acre park known as Pine Trace.

Monday's plan approval is not the approval for construction funds — estimated at $8.6 million. Approving the conceptual plan means the county can begin working with the Town of Summerville to rezone a 25-acre-plus tract of land within the proposed park. The county hopes to sell the tract to a retirement developer and use the proceeds to help fund building the park.

"We don't have the funds to build this right now," Byars said. "Let's put this to Summerville so we can get the zoning we need."

The property's east boundary follows the Coastal Center on Miles Jamison Road, and its southern boundary follows the Bridges subdivision. 

The park's current design includes a few profitable ventures that Councilman Jay Byars said could help fund the park's maintenance.

"We want to make sure we're doing things where we ease the burden on the taxpayer," Byars said.

One of those ventures is a GoApe course, where a private business would use existing trees for a highline obstacle course and share revenues with the county. Two other proposals include a Frisbee golf course and an amphitheater for outdoor concerts and festivals.

A five-hour festival can generate $35,000, Byars said.

"This can help sustain that park and pay for that park as well," he said.

Pine Trace will include two sections: passive and active. The passive portion of the park will include walking and biking trails. The active portion will include multi-use fields.

A 50-foot buffer of trees and specialized lights for the activity fields will help shield neighbors from noise and lights, Byars said.

Within the tract, there is a 25-acre site that is now owned by Dorchester County School District Two and slated for construction of a new school. 

Council voted 6-0, with Councilman Willie Davis absent, to approve the concept.