Resident Pushes Town to Fund Bayfront Park Cleanup

For the past three years, James Island resident Eric Draper has taken it on himself to clean up Dock Street Park at the end of Patterson Street.

The Bayfront neighborhood park is one of the few public parks with a marsh view, and Draper thinks it has potential to become a fully functioning recreational area.

To do that, the park's dock, tables and benches should be repaired, and playground equipment should be installed, Draper said.

The problem is that there isn't any money for improvements — at least there's no money right now.

Jenny Peterson The Journal

James Island resident Eric Draper enjoys the view from the dock at Dock Street Park at the end of Patterson Street

Draper repeatedly has asked James Island Town Council for funding for these improvements, but nothing has been promised so far.

The town is on a tight budget and is still waiting on grant money that could be used to improve the park, according to Mayor Mary Clark.

The park is owned by the James Island Recreation Commission, a group that rarely meets and does not have the authority to raise money on its own.

So he does what he can to help maintain the park. His self-imposed duties include mowing the half-acre open grassy space, emptying the trash and even adding a recycle bin, which he also empties.

There are some overgrown wax myrtle plants near the front entrance, and Draper said he most likely will trim those himself, too.

Other neighbors have gotten involved in the effort. Someone added wooden parking blocks so cars can angle park, and some fishing pole holders were recently fastened to the dock.

Draper has high hopes for the park. He recently negotiated with a local dock repair company to improve the dock for a discounted price and even pledged some of his own money for that purpose. Last year, he secured a $500 PalmettoPride state grant for improvements to the park and asked the town to match it. Council members have not given him a definite answer regarding that request.

At high tide, half of it is in or under the water, Draper said. When it's not submerged, it's still sloping downward.

At least one park bench and matching table must be replaced. A large object, most likely a tree branch, fell on one table, nearly splitting it in two.

The grassy area would be a great place for some playground equipment, Draper said.

He said there are lots of families in the Bayfront neighborhood and beyond who would love to use the park. It's somewhat hidden, quiet and has a fantastic view of the marsh and three bridges: the Harbor View Road bridge, James Island connector and the Ravenel Bridge.

"It would be a great place for a cookout — a great place to toss a Frisbee," he said. There is a small, rusty barbecue pit near the picnic tables.

Draper said sometimes he spends up to six hours a week maintaining the park. One ongoing duty, taking out the trash, is more difficult than it should be because the metal trash can is broken and leaning to one side. Draper has put cement blocks on either side of the receptacle to keep it upright.

Some neighbors and friends have suggested the community hold its own fundraiser for the park, but that plan never panned out, Draper said.

Clark said the park is on the town's priority list, and the town has applied for grants to improve it. She said the town's Parks and Recreation Committee will resume its meetings once Town Hall is fully renovated, and it will have the task of coming up with more ways to help Dock Street Park.

"It will get fixed," Clark said. "It won't be fixed today or tomorrow, but we have (applied) for enhancement grants and tree grants."

In the meantime, Draper will continue his cleanup work, making sure the space is as presentable as possible for everyone in the community to enjoy.