Access available from Park West Recreation Complex in Mount Pleasant
[MOUNT PLEASANT] – The Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission (CCPRC) opened the trails of Laurel Hill County Park to the public on Jan. 21. The passive park property is now open daily for people wishing to run, walk or bike its trails.
The beautiful new park site features several miles of off-road trails winding through a variety of landscapes. A once privately-owned property of over 745 acres in total size, Laurel Hill features an oak allée, large open meadows, a small lake, and gorgeous scenery.
Laurel Hill County Park is held in trust by Wells Fargo for the estate of the previous owner, John D. Muller, Jr. CCPRC acquired a lease on the property in 2011, and the lease is renewable for up to three additional 25-year terms. Guiding principles were developed as part of the lease to reflect Mr. Muller's desire that the property remain in a natural state, limiting the use to passive recreation. The site was formerly just open for special events and private rentals, including most recently, cross country meets from various local teams.
Laurel Hill County Park is located between Highway 17N and Highway 41 in Mount Pleasant, but is accessible to the public from its trail head, located at the Mount Pleasant Recreation Department’s Park West Recreation Complex at 1251 Park West Boulevard. Users will park their vehicles at the Park West Recreation Complex and walk to the trail head, located behind the complex’s baseball fields. Trail maps will be posted at the trail head, along the trail itself, and also available at CharlestonCountyParks.com. Laurel Hill County Park, in its early stages of being open for public use, will not be regularly staffed, or have restrooms on site. Because the park does not have trash cans, park-goers are asked to “pack-it-in, pack-it-out” to minimize litter on the property.
The park is open from sunrise to sunset daily. Picnicking and catch-and-release fishing will be permitted on the property. Leashed dogs are also welcome on the park trails. Horses, ATVs and other motorized vehicles are prohibited in the park. The Mount Pleasant Police Department has jurisdiction on the property.
Admission to the park is $1 per person at the trail head. Entry to Laurel Hill County Park will also be included with the CCPRC Gold Pass or Individual Day Park Pass. Laurel Hill County Park is also available for private rentals. For more information, call 843-795-4386.
