The Beaufort County Community Development Department is hosting a grand opening celebration for Crystal Lake Park at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 23.

The park is located at 124 Lady’s Island Drive in Beaufort.

A cupcake social will kick off the celebration, with welcoming remarks by Beaufort County Council members, followed by a ribbon cutting of the new nature trail. A guided walk of the new trail will be available to attendees.

As part of Beaufort County’s Passive Parks Program, Crystal Lake Park is 25 acres of forested habitats, salt marsh, and a man-made pond. The pond has a population primarily of redfish and mullet. Fishing in the pond is restricted to catch-and-release only due to the potential for unacceptably high cancer and non-cancer health risks.

A pollinator garden created and maintained by volunteers is adjacent to the park office building.

The Butler Marine building at the park is open to the public Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and houses the Beaufort County Open Land Trust and the Beaufort Soil and Water Conservation District offices.