Header Image Courtesy of Charleston County Parks
Last week, Lowcountry Land Trust was honored to join the celebration for the grand opening of Old Towne Creek County Park! Located directly next door to Lowcountry Land Trust’s headquarters (the Lowcountry Center for Conservation), the opening of Old Towne Creek Country Park marks an incredible community conservation success in the heart of West Ashley.
The celebration included remarks from Kevin Bowie (Executive Director, CCPRC) and Brad Taggart (Chair, CCPRC), as well as guest speakers from the Charleston County Parks Foundation, Charleston City and County councilmembers, and Lowcountry Land Trust’s President & CEO, Matt Williams. Each speaker reiterated the importance of this project for the West Ashley community, which, after years of envisioning, created a conservation corridor spanning Charles Towne Landing, Old Towne Creek County Park, and the Lowcountry Center for Conservation while providing waterfront green space in a dense suburban area.
The inspiration for this momentous project stems from the legacy of Mrs. Emily Ravenel Farrow, a dedicated equestrian, historian, and conservationist who cherished her 55-acre suburban oasis, Ashem Farm. She entrusted Lowcountry Land Trust with her vision for Ashem Farm to become the organization’s permanent home, serving as an ambassador site for conservation.
With her wholehearted approval, Lowcountry Land Trust transferred most of the property to CCPRC, retaining four acres for the Lowcountry Center for Conservation. The remaining 51 acres now serve as the newly-opened Old Towne Creek County Park, an incredible public-access opportunity and, notably, West Ashley’s first County park.
Old Towne Creek County Park features trails, boardwalks, scenic marsh views, historic structures, an arboretum, and a playground with nature-inspired play elements, offering visitors the opportunity to enjoy outdoor recreation while learning about the site’s significance. The park is home to a variety of blooming ornamentals planted over the years by Emily Ravenel Farrow and her mother, Emily Simmons Ravenel, and interpretive signage throughout the park explores the people and events that have shaped West Ashley. The park is a celebration of conservation and showcases Emily Ravenel Farrow’s legacy by serving as a place of conservation, preservation, and public enjoyment.
Lowcountry Land Trust is honored to celebrate CCPRC, local partners who brought this vision to life, and the greater West Ashley community. We can’t wait to see you in the neighborhood!
