The City of Charleston celebrated the opening of Fort Pemberton Park with an official ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, Sept. 17. The park, located at 221 Yates Ave. in the Riverland Terrace neighborhood of James Island, has been open to the public since July.
The City has transformed the 8.7-acre property along the Stono River into a waterfront park that preserves its historical character while opening the land to the public for the first time. The site carries a history spanning hundreds of years. What began as a Civil War-era earthwork fort built to protect Wappoo Creek later became farmland, then private property for decades.
“For the first time, this waterfront is open to the public,” said Mayor Cogswell. “This property sat behind private hands for decades, and now every resident and visitor can walk it, fish off the dock, or just take in the view of the Stono River. That’s the kind of public access investment we want to keep making across Charleston.”
Fort Pemberton Park features a new fishing dock, kayak launch, walking paths and a picnic shelter. Separate ADA-accessible entrances on either side of the property allow access to both the upper, historic fort area and the lower waterfront portion.
The City purchased the property in 2019 with the support of Charleston County Greenbelt Program funds. Additional partners included Peter Evans, the property’s former owner; the South Carolina Conservation Bank; The Conservation Fund; the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism; the South Carolina Battleground Preservation Trust; and the Charleston Parks Conservancy.
The park reflects the City’s continued commitment to preserving open space and expanding public waterfront access across Charleston.
“Every step we take in the Lowcountry is rich with the stories of those who came before us,” said Dr. Peter King, board chair, South Carolina Conservation Bank. “We’re honored to have had a role in funding the acquisition of this property that not only gives a glimpse of South Carolina’s past but also offers opportunities for Charleston residents and visitors to get outside.”
Fort Pemberton Park remains open to the public daily.