New park town 'jewel' - The Post and Courier

New park town 'jewel'
Hundreds brave heat to witness grand opening

BY PRENTISS FINDLAY (CONTACT)
The Post and Courier
Saturday, July 4, 2009


Tyrone Walker
The Post and Courier
Scores of patrons turned out Friday to be among the first to walk out along the pier at Mount Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park. The pier will open for fishing today at 6 a.m.

Tyrone Walker
The Post and Courier
Herb Hinman and his wife Judy Hinman of Charleston take a moment to soak up the new view of Charleston from a bench along the pier at the park. 'It's so beautiful out here,' Judy Hinman said.

The Post and Courier
MOUNT PLEASANT — Memorial Waterfront Park, a project 10 years in the making, was unveiled Friday afternoon to an enthusiastic crowd of hundreds who fanned themselves against a steamy heat that blanketed the opening day ceremonies.

The $14 million, 9-acre park offers stunning views of the adjacent Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, which shades the playground where town resident Stuart Scott watched his four kids climbing and jumping. "I'm going to tell everybody it's a great place," Scott said. On such a hot day, he appreciated that the park designers had thought to put the playground in the bridge shadows.

Julia and Jay Rabhan explored the Visitor Center and the rest of the park. "It makes you proud to be a Mount Pleasanter," Jay Rabhan said.

The park's 1,250-foot pier, the area's longest, opens to fishing from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. today. Afterwards, it will be a place to view fireworks launched at 10 p.m. from Patriots Point. The pier is near the park War Memorial, where area soldiers who lost their lives are remembered. A sculpture that is the memorial centerpiece will be unveiled at 6:30 p.m. Sunday.

Starting Monday, park hours will be 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Glenn Young of James Island paused to reflect on the names of the dead inscribed on a wall at the memorial. They ranged from locals who had lost their lives in the War on Terror to those who perished in the Civil War. "It's well done. It's very special recognition for those who gave their lives for our safety and security," Young said.

At the park entrance on Harry M. Hallman Jr. Boulevard, Jo Ann Coaxum beamed with excitement as she arranged her wares in the open-air Sweetgrass Cultural Arts Pavilion.

Usually, she works from one of the sweetgrass stands that dot U.S. 17. The pavilion includes interpretive exhibits that explain the rice plantation roots of basket making. "I know my ancestors are just applauding this venture. This is something that's making our craft stand out to the public," she said.

Officials at the ceremony said the new park will be a gateway to the town. "This will become the town's front lawn. Now, everybody can have a yard on the water," said Councilman Joe Bustos.

Former Mayor Harry Hallman, who retired recently because of Alzheimer's disease, said: "I think it's beyond our expectations. I'm very proud of it."

Acting Mayor Kruger Smith said parks play an important role in a community, and described Mount Pleasant's new park as an "urban jewel."

"Parks shape the quality of American lives," he said, and they provide a place for exercise, and a chance for recreation with neighbors and friends.

Councilman Nick Collins said the park "sets the town apart from any other town on the East Coast. When you come to Mount Pleasant, this is a must-see attraction. This personifies what Mount Pleasant is all about."

The state Department of Transportation donated land for the park, which was financed for the most part by the town. Admission is free. Parking will be 50 cents per hour, but it is free this weekend. The park is a short distance from a pedestrian walkway for the Ravenel Bridge.

Reach Prentiss Findlay at pfindlay@postandcourier.com or 937-5711