Oyster Factory Park set to reopen on schedule, Bluffton officials say

As the weather continues to warm and the boating season begins in earnest, Bluffton sailors should be able to again launch their vessels from a ramp at Oyster Factory Park by mid-April.

A large-scale park improvement project, which includes widening the ramp to allow more than one boat enter or exit the May River at the same time, is on pace to wrap up on schedule, Bluffton officials say.

Mayor Lisa Sulka said Wednesday that town staffers have assured her that Bluffton’s main river access point will reopen by April 15.

“Everytime I talk to (town staff) about it, they tell me we are on time,” she said. “So, I’m counting on that.”

Town councilman Larry Toomer couldn’t say with complete certainty which date the ramp will be accessible, but said it will definitely reopen “within the next two weeks.”

Construction crews were at the park in full force Wednesday afternoon working to complete the roughly $879,000 project.

“They are making good progress and are on schedule,” Toomer, who owns Bluffton Oyster company which is directly adjacent to the park, said. “But anytime you are doing such a large project, there are so many factors at play.”

The ramp, along with much of Oyster Factory Park, has been closed for construction since February.

“People have been very patient and I'm so appreciative of that,” Sulka said. “But their patience is going to run thin if we don't get this done on time.”

Opening the ramp by April 15 is particularly important because the park is a popular launching point for Bluffton boaters heading to Hilton Head Island for the RBC Heritage Presented by Boeing festivities, she said.

The popular golf tour tournament is next week.

Responsibility for management and maintenance of the park is transitioning from Beaufort County to Bluffton.

Bluffton’s town council is working through the process of approving a new set of rules for the park.

According to the proposed rules, the park will be open from sunrise to sunset, but the boat ramp will be accessible 24 hours a day.

Council also granted preliminary approval last month for a new park rental fees that are in many cases less expensive than those charged by the county.

Renting the western portion of the park, which includes the Garvin House lawn, would cost $100 a day.

The town would charge $300 a day to rent the eastern half of the park, giving renters access to a pavilion, picnic tables and fire pits.

Beaufort County had charged $500 per day to rent the park, but additional costs could be tacked on depending on the size and type of event, as well as which amenities the renter wants access to.

This story was originally published April 6, 2016 at 3:11 PM with the headline "Oyster Factory Park set to reopen on schedule, Bluffton officials say."