Barry Tract protected for public park and river access

Barry Tract, 67 acres of land along the Ashley River Road National Scenic Byway, has been placed under permanent protection with a conservation easement by Lowcountry Land Trust, a landscape protection nonprofit.  

Lowcountry Land Trust has transferred ownership to Dorchester County government to be used as a public park with recreational access to the Ashley River, according to a news release.  

“Protecting the Barry Tract reflects our commitment to safeguarding the Lowcountry’s most imperative natural and cultural resources,” Matt Williams, Lowcountry Land Trust president and CEO, said in the release. “We’re grateful for the partnerships that made this possible and proud to ensure this landscape will serve the community for generations to come,” 

Located between the Ashley River Blue Trail and the Ashley River Heritage Trail, Lowcountry Land Trust said remnants of an 18th-century settlement of enslaved people have been discovered through archaeological studies on the Barry Tract. 

Protecting the Barry Tract will help to reduce storm surge impacts, minimize erosion and support fisheries and wildlife habitats, and be the first to be awarded funding through the Dorchester County Greenbelt Program, the release said. 

“We are proud that we had the opportunity to join forces with our local partners to protect the Barry Tract through our Greenbelt Program funding,” David Chinnis, Dorchester County chairman, said in the release. “With this tract protected, the County’s Greenbelt Program has now funded the conservation of almost 2,600 acres of land in Dorchester County. With the land transferred to the County, there will be opportunities for public access on this site to further benefit our residents.” 

Funding for the land trust to acquire the land came from South Carolina Conservation Bank, the National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant, the Ceres Foundation and the Dorchester Trust Foundation. 

“We applaud the efforts of Lowcountry Land Trust and Dorchester County to finalize the protection of this property and position it for the much-anticipated public river access,” Raleigh West, South Carolina Conservation Bank director, said in the release.