BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C. – Berkeley County Council approved Monday night the first-ever Greenbelt Preservation Plan that outlines the county’s strategy to preserve and create greenspaces, open spaces, conservation areas, and parks. View the full plan HERE.
“This is a critical step in living up to the commitments made in the 2022 One Cent Sales Tax referendum. In a growing county, it is our mission to protect greenspace and provide passive and active recreational opportunities for the community. Presently, 45 percent of the area of Berkeley County is protected; and with 74 percent support for the referendum, the public spoke loudly that we need to do more to protect land and natural resources,” said Johnny Cribb, Berkeley County Supervisor.
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The Greenbelt Preservation Plan includes the following primary elements: 1) Overview of Planning Process; 2) Data Collection and Existing Conditions Analysis; 3) Core Priorities and Needs; and 4) County Action Plan.
This master plan focuses on prioritization of waterways and watersheds; buffers on existing greenspace; preservation of historic sites and working lands; water access; and greenways, trails, and linear greenspace. It also includes recommendations for six to eight community parks with natural elements and a variety of amenities and two to three regional parks—each at least 85 acres in size—for a broader population to enjoy.
Cypress Gardens is currently Berkeley County’s lone park. Earlier this year, the county closed on a $4 million deal with the SC Ports Authority for a 115-acre parcel on Daniel Island. Half of the parcel’s funding ($2 million) stemmed from the SC Conservation Bank and State Resiliency Funds. Negotiations are in the works for other potential park properties throughout the county.
“The Greenbelt Program arrived right on time. The impacts of growth have encouraged appreciation of what we have and prompted our citizens to fight to preserve what is important to them before it’s lost. This is our most effective tool for protecting the landscape character and history of this county,” said Nick Yoder, Berkeley County Greenbelt Program Manager.
In November 2022, Berkeley County residents voted, through a referendum, to continue the county’s One Cent Sales Tax Program for another seven years. For the first time since the program’s inception in 2008, funding of up to $58.7 Million will be used for Greenbelt Preservation projects.
As noted in the ballot language, funding can be used for financing greenbelt initiatives (including but not limited to purchasing property for conservation; purchasing conservation easements; creating passive greenspace; creating active greenspace; protecting natural resources; protecting agricultural or heritage landscapes; and protecting scenic corridors).
In February 2024, to help guide the use of greenbelt funds from the 2022 One Cent Sales Tax referendum and provide advice and recommendations to county council on Greenbelt Preservation projects, the county established the Berkeley County Conservation and Greenbelt Advisory Commission.
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