County prepares for work on Burton Wells Park

Beaufort County is finalizing the master plan for Burton Wells Regional Park, with the first phase of construction likely to begin in December.

Staff will also develop cost estimates for the plans before seeking the County Council's approval, said David Hughes, implementation manager for the county's capital improvement projects.

More than 50 residents attended an open house in July about the future of the Burton park, which has 60 acres of woodlands and a 5-acre pond. The county approved $1.6 million for the project.

Several resident suggestions, including a skateboard park, are part of the plans being considered, Hughes said.

He and other county officials, including staff and council members, took a trip recently to two parks in Charleston to get ideas.

"We obtained insights ... like not placing attractions or features all over the 60 acres, but clustering them instead," Hughes said. "I think we've got a plan that is really going to work well."