COLUMBIA, S.C. — The opening of Pine Island State Park, near Lake Murray, has been delayed multiple times due to unforeseen challenges, but officials say visitors may finally be able to enjoy the park this winter.
Originally slated to open in fall 2024, the park's opening was delayed after a fire last spring and the impact of Hurricane Helene.
"I think we had 27 parks closed when Helene hit, so unlike a coastal event, it was really widespread," said Joy Raintree, regional chief of the South Carolina State Park Service. "It’s going to take us a little while to recover here to get a team over here to help start cleaning up some of those trees."
The park, which is located in Lexington County on Lake Murray, transitioned to the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism (SCPRT) from Dominion Energy in November 2022.
Since then, the department has been working to develop the site into a public park.
Raintree explained that a fire earlier this year, likely caused by an electrical issue in a shed near the park's residence, further set back the opening. "There was likely an electrical fire, but it was inclusive. It appears it was probably electrical in nature from a shed that was beside the residence, so that kind of set us back a little," Raintree recalled.
Despite these setbacks, Raintree remains optimistic. "Although Pine Island has some needs, and some down trees from Helene, we did not have any structural damage, thankfully," she said.
The 27-acre park will feature picnic alcoves, a small beach, a clubhouse, playground, docks, and a newly renovated residential structure. However, some local residents have raised concerns about the narrow overpass that visitors must drive over to access the park. "I do think that if they give us a chance, we are going to be super neighbors," Raintree said with optimism, adding that the state park department is "cognizant of some of the traffic issues" and is working on strategies that Raintree believes will manage traffic flow.
Raintree expressed hope for the park's long-term success, saying, "Pine Island has been a story of ‘one step forward, two steps back.’ I would love to come here 10 years from now and pull on site and see people picnicking, people swimming, if it’s summer, kids playing on the playground."
While the SCPRT has not provided an exact opening date, the goal is for the park to open in the coming winter months.