Community Celebrates New Ashley River Boat Access Site
December 2, 2017
Conservationists, preservationists, and the larger community had good reason to celebrate as they gathered along the banks of the Ashley River for the ribbon cutting at the new Ashley River access site. The opening marked a memorable moment in the history of the Ashley River as it gave first-time access to kayaks and canoes to the delight of local residents. The opening also honored Howard Bridgman, who, as founding member of the Ashley Scenic River Advisory Council (ASRAC), helped to lead the effort to make the Ashley River a State Scenic River, and has been a positive force in the conservation of both the Ashley River and the Edisto over the past decades.
Conservation doesn’t just happen — people must step up in order to have the future they want for themselves and their communities.
In fact, this new boat launch site marks the culmination of a decades-long dream for an access site at Bacons Bridge Road. In the 1990s, George Neal and I in our capacities as deputy director and executive director, respectively, of Drayton Hall, as well as Howard Bridgman and others within in the community, worked to secure funding for the project. At the time, the tract of land was privately owned and slated for development; however, one of the effects of the recession was that some pending developments, including the one for this area, went into bankruptcy, so a group of us — Howard, Coy Johnston, myself, Jay Byars, Richard Rosebrock, Larry Hargett, and other members of the Dorchester County Council, made a case for the public acquisition of the land so it could become a park.
Importantly, and most recently, Eric Davis, Director of Dorchester County (SC) Department of Parks and Recreation, led the way in planning and securing funding and permits to ensure the project would see the light of day. It may have taken a bit longer than we had hoped, but past and present efforts have finally come to fruition. Congratulations to all who stepped up!
The boat launch was funded by a generous grant from the SC National Heritage Corridor and from public sources.
About the Howard Bridgman River Access at Bacons Bridge (from the Dorcester County website):
200 Renken Road; Summerville, SC 29485
The Howard Bridgman River Access at Bacons Bridge is situated on an ideal stretch for paddling and is a “carry-down” facility for canoes, kayaks, SUPs and small john boats. Overhanging limbs, partially submerged obstacles and a narrow twisting channel will be encountered both immediately upstream and downstream of the access.
Note: The above address is new and may not show up on all navigational software yet. The site is located just off Bacons Bridge Road one half mile south of Dorchester Road.
George W. McDaniel, Ph.D., is President of McDaniel Consulting, LLC, a strategy firm that helps organizations use history to build bridges within itself and to its broader constituents. The company’s tag line, “Building Bridges through History,” is grounded in McDaniel’s personal beliefs and his experience in site management, preservation, education, board development, fundraising, and community outreach. Rather than using history to divide us, he strives to help organizations use history, especially local history, to enhance cross-cultural understanding and to support local museums, preservation, and education. Dr. McDaniel recently led volunteer efforts with Emanuel AME Church and historical organizations in Charleston to use historic preservation to enhance racial reconciliation and healing.
McDaniel is also the Executive Director Emeritus of Drayton Hall, a historic site in Charleston, SC, owned by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. He retired from Drayton Hall in 2015 after 25 years of distinguished service.
Header Image: Excited paddlers lined up for the official launch following the ribbon cutting.
McDaniel Consulting LLC is a strategy firm that helps organizations use history to build bridges within itself and its broader constituents.