Berkeley County, South Carolina. — Berkeley County has announced the acquisition of Blessing Plantation in Huger.
The county intends to develop the 628 acres into a public park.
“Thanks to the Penny sales tax and the Greenbelt program, the county was able to be a partner in this to not only make it happen for the purchase, but also to take full ownership of the property,” stated Berkeley County Supervisor Johnny Cribb.
With the assistance of many organizations, notably the South Carolina Conservation Bank, the county was able to purchase the property for approximately $15 million.
“We’re grateful, particularly to the county, for taking a leadership role in finding a home for this incredibly historic and beautiful piece of property,” said Raleigh West of South Carolina Conservation Bank.
In South Carolina, the majority of rice plantations are privately owned, fenced, or protected by conservation easements that exclude access. This park will be one of the few areas in the state where visitors can walk through old rice fields.
“I think it’s important that we make sure that places like this survive,” West told reporters. “So those stories and that complex history can be told to future generations.”
County officials hope to install signage, pathways, and other amenities that will not alter the appearance or feel of the site.
“The best way for everybody to get to really see the entire site is for a trail system throughout this site,” according to Cribb. “And this will not be an asphalt trail, but rather a mulch track or a hard pack trail. We want to maintain it relatively basic, with only pervious surfaces, so that rainwater can continue to stream where it has for decades and generations.
Currently, the county has no plans or schedule for when the park will be open to the public.
“There’s a lot that goes into making it publicly accessible,” Cribb told the audience. “You can’t just buy something and open the gate and say, ‘Go have at it.’ “It must be safe.”
The county is inviting the public to view the land on Saturday, November 22, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
