2 weeks Ago
Mingo Cold Creek Black River tract. The Open Space Institute (OSI) has announced the acquisition of the Mingo and Cold Creek properties, the eighth and ninth tracts added to the developing Black River State Park network. Launched in 2021, the OSI-led Black River Initiative is a community-driven effort to establish a new recreational water trail connecting a growing network of public parks—including South Carolina’s first new state park in nearly 20 years—along 70 miles of the scenic Black River through Williamsburg and Georgetown Counties.
Located in Georgetown County, the 665-acre Mingo and 180-acre Cold Creek tracts are nearly adjacent and cover nearly five miles of shoreline along Black Mingo Creek, a tributary of the Black River. With a maintained boat launch, the Mingo and Cold Creek tracts will allow paddlers the opportunity to enjoy a pristine backwater section of the water trail near a busy stretch of the river. The higher ground above the cypress-tupelo bottomlands will also be suitable for minimal-impact camping sites.
The tracts are contiguous to other privately protected properties, and together safeguard a corridor for plant and wildlife habitat, including lands used by numerous species of migratory birds as stopping points during their travels. The river and surrounding swamps are critical for the mitigation of severe weather as they help absorb excess water during ever-increasing storm events. Protection of the properties will also create new passive public access to the river—a benefit especially appreciated by communities along the river that have historically been denied direct access to the water.
“The Mingo and Cold Creek tracts will offer exciting new recreational opportunities for visitors in addition to a host of critical ecological and community benefits,” said Dr. Maria Whitehead, OSI’s Senior Vice President of Land for the Southeast. “With continued support from the community, local Tribes, and dedicated partners, we are building the Black River State Park network into a one-of-a-kind gem that will be treasured by people, families, and wildlife for generations to come.
” Intended for transfer to the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism (SCPRT) in 2025, these two new additions to Black River State Park are positioned between upriver State Park properties and Georgetown County’s Rocky Point Community Forest. The first park in the Black River State Park network is projected to open in 2025. Today's Top Headlines Story continues below Restaurant co-owned by Bill Murray closes after 12 years in Charleston The 2024 Steeplechase of Charleston has been canceled due to safety concerns Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia welcomes Toco toucan hatchling, the first in a decade These Myrtle Beach tiny homes are supposed to house homeless veterans.
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What will the SC planemaker do about it? This historic Black neighborhood is surrounded by Myrtle Beach but not part of the city. Why? Sumter bought land to preserve Shaw Air Force Base, then built a hunting hideaway for officials Editorial: Voting in SC is already limited to citizens: don't mess with constitution Acquisition of the Mingo and Cold Creek tracts was made possible by funding from the South Carolina Conservation Bank (SCCB), Valerie Moliterno, the Knobloch Family Foundation, the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service’s North American Wetland Conservation Act, the Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program, and the Lowcountry Land Protection Capacity Fund. “The Black River is one of South Carolina’s most iconic rivers,” said Raleigh West, SCCB Executive Director. “The Conservation Bank remains committed to helping fund projects that both protect its ecological and historical features while expanding public access to this wonderful resource by way of the new State Park.
We applaud the collective partnership that continues to deliver on this conservation priority.” “The Mingo and Cold Creek properties will allow visitors to paddle the tranquil waters of the Black Mingo Creek, provide excellent launch points, and will further increase access to observe and experience the incredible biodiversity of this special ecosystem,” said Duane Parrish, SCPRT Director. “The collective passion and enthusiasm for this special project is remarkable, and we are grateful to all those in the community and around the state who are supporting this historic park-building endeavor.
” “I’m so pleased with the outcome,” said Valerie Moliterno, an avid conservationist in the region and project funder. “This land and water are being repurposed to benefit wildlife and people for future generations.” About the Open Space Institute Founded in 1974, the Open Space Institute (OSI) has been a partner in the protection of more than 2.
5 million acres along the eastern seaboard from Quebec to Florida. OSI’s Southeast office, established in Charleston in 2014, has been a partner in the protection of more than 130,000 acres across the Southeastern United States, the vast majority of which is open to the public. Visit OSI online at //openspaceinstitute.
org/southeast ..
