<strong>By Mike McCombs</strong>

<strong>Photo by Bob Sofaly</strong>

It’s unclear if the re-opening of Hunting Island State Park on Friday, May 1 was a rousing success, but it’s clear it was popular.

Long lines of people waiting to get in the park, despite reduced hours, marked the Beaufort County jewel’s first weekend open since all South Carolina State Parks were closed March 28.

According to Park Manager J.W. Weatherford, the reduced hours are a result of a smaller workforce than usual at the park. Weatherford said those numbers should improve shortly and things will get back to normal.

Weatherford also said to expect changes in the traffic pattern within the park. This is because of a lot of standing water as a result or recent heavy rains.

Park rangers took advantage of a park without visitors or campers and got a lot done during the shutdown.

Rangers cut up downed trees, pruned dangerous trees and ground up stumps left from the past two hurricanes.

Then, staff went through all of the beach accesses and roped them off, showing people how to get on the beach, while also protecting the sand dunes.

Sand fencing was installed to protect the re-nourished sand dunes and keep sea turtles and their babies from going over the back side of the dunes, as well.