The Beaufort County Council’s Natural Resources Committee agreed Monday night to move to the full County Council the proposal to purchase 10 acres of the Whitehall property on Lady’s Island for the purpose of developing a public park.
The proposal will be evaluated by the full Beaufort County Council on Monday, Aug. 27, and proponents hope for full approval at that time.
The Beaufort County Open Land Trust, which administers the county’s preservation program, and Whitehall Development Group, have been in discussions and negotiations since July.
Friends of Whitehall Park, a nonprofit group started earlier this month with the aim of supporting a 10-acre park on a Lady’s Island property slated for development, will host “A Walk in the Park” from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 25.
The event is an opportunity for the public and media to tour the property on Whitehall Point and see the potential park first-hand. About 3,000 people have signed online and paper petitions encouraging Beaufort County Council to purchase 10 acres of land currently slated for development, using money set aside for land preservation.
“A park at Whitehall is, in my opinion, as important now as it was for Henry Chambers to pursue his vision of the Waterfront Park in the past,” Friends of Whitehall Park board member Robert Semmler said. “I imagine Mr. Chambers was thinking of the future generations that would benefit and enjoy the efforts of those who dreamed as well as leaving this place we call home and live in, better than when they arrived. Keeping the vista that Whitehall provides for Beaufort and Waterfront Park plus for those who use the Beaufort River beautiful and as close to natural as possible will become an immeasurable part of the Beaufort experience for our children and their children.”
The event Saturday will feature a children’s group from Rabinowitz Music Studio, entertainment with “Beek, Vic and Friends” and a chance to tour the property.
