Ashley River Park
Located on the beautiful scenic side of the Ashley River, this new park is one of Summerville’s undiscovered gems. The 83-acre park includes playgrounds, picnic shelters, a splash pad, a fishing pond, a riverside walking trail, a kayak launch, and both small and large dog parks. Get more info.
Designed with community input, the park is a great place for families and friends to gather. Read on to learn more about this exciting new addition to Dorchester County.
Playgrounds
Located along the Ashley River by Bacons Bridge Road, the park stretches over 85 acres. This unique green space offers something for everyone. The primary features include an event pavilion, a fishing pond, and riverside walking trails.
The project was conceived by county staff with public input gathered in 2015, indicating that event spaces and multi-use green spaces were high priorities for the community. These features were implemented to create the new Ashley River Park.
The park is home to a playground, splash pad, and two picnic shelters overlooking the freshwater pond and festival lawn. A riverside walking trail leads to a fishing pier, allowing residents and visitors to experience the natural beauty of the Ashley Scenic River. This environmentally rich property is one of Summerville’s undiscovered gems.
Picnic Shelters
Whether you’re looking for a place to picnic with the family or want to take in some views of one of the state’s most significant tributaries, you’ll find it at Ashley River Park. This new park is located along the Ashley River at Bacon’s Bridge Road and offers plenty of recreational opportunities for the entire community.
When county officials asked residents for feedback, many said they wanted multi-use green spaces, parks, trails, and fishing areas. With this in mind, the 85-acre Ashley River Park was created to serve as a dynamic activity oasis for all ages.
The park includes playgrounds, two picnic shelters, a splash pad, an event pavilion, a fishing pond, a riverside walking trail, a kayak launch, and dog parks for both small and large dogs. It’s the first of its kind in Dorchester County, and it will open to the public this weekend. Discover more exciting places here.
Boat Ramps
Ashley River Park sits along the scenic Ashley River off Bacon’s Bridge Road and has something for everyone! Mom tip: There is tons of open outdoor space for kids to kick a ball around and run around to their heart’s content. There are also outdoor picnic tables (covered and not covered) for a family outing.
The Jessen Boat Landing provides access to the Ashley River in a shallow section ideal for smaller watercraft such as canoes and kayaks. Due to the Ashley being a tidal river, large motorized boats are not recommended at this location.
Howard Bridgman River Access at Bacons Bridge offers a more challenging paddling experience with overhanging limbs and partially submerged obstacles in the river channel. The upper Ashley River is a protected Wild and Scenic River and hosts many historic properties including Middleton Place, Drayton Hall, and Magnolia Gardens. Magnolia Gardens is a National Historic Landmark site and features one of America’s oldest landscaped gardens. Visitors enjoy historic gardens and structures, exhibits, and programs for a fee.
Dog Park
The Ashley River Park officially opened to the public on March 19th, 2022. The unique 83-acre park located along the Ashley River off Bacon’s Bridge Road includes playgrounds, two picnic shelters, a splash pad, a fishing pond, riverside walking trails, a kayak launch, and both small and large dog parks. Future plans for the park include a ropes course and climbing wall.
Mom Tip: The dog park at Ashley River Park is a decent-sized yard with open outdoor space and plenty of grass (no mulch here!) for kids to run and play! The whole area is fenced in and there is also a community toy basket filled with balls, wubbas, west paw bumpers, and frisbees.
This is Dorchester County’s first major new park since 2010 when voters approved a bond referendum for parks and conservation purposes. Local land design firm SeamonWhiteside worked closely with the County to develop the Ashley River Park using community input + focus on preserving wetlands at the site. Read on to find out!
Driving directions from Curb Appeal Pressure Washing to Ashley River Park
Driving directions from Ashley River Park to Middleton Place
