LEXINGTON, S.C. — The 27-acre Pine Island is expected to open as a state park in the fall.
Sam Queen, with the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism (SCPRT), says the new park is expected to bring more travelers to the already bustling Lake Murray area.
"It's just going to be a place where people can get out and enjoy the lake. You know, our state parks are really special places because there's something that, you know, that the public has access to enjoy our most treasured natural resources, and Lake Murray is certainly one of those," Queen said.
The park amenities include a swimming pool, community building, tennis courts, picnic shelters and tables, boat slips, a playground, and a staff residence.
SCPRT received approval to take over the property from Dominion Energy in November 2022 and has been working to renovate the space since then.
Although residents in the surrounding area are not opposed to the idea of Pine Island State Park, they have a few concerns.
Rick Levitan can see the island from his lakeside home and says he hopes Dominion will do one thing to maintain the calmness of the island.
"I see everybody being able to work together if they take reservations. If they operate the island like SCE&G did and take reservations, and if they have capacity, it'll be fine," Levitan said. "Everybody would be happy, and we'd be great neighbors; they'd be good neighbors, and we'd all get along."
Although there is no set date for the park's opening, SCPRT encourages neighbors with questions and concerns to contact them.
River Road residents will have a community walkthrough before the park opens in the fall.