Conservation & Parklands

History Respected. Nature Preserved. Families Welcome.

Conservation & the parklands

Through a collaborative effort, nearly 1,900 acres have been preserved as conservation land and park space. Of this total, Charleston County Parks and Recreation Commission placed 1,337.233 acres into conservation, while Long Savannah Land Company contributed 536.405 acres. Together, these efforts amount to 1,874 acres protected in perpetuity.

american tree sparrow perched on a tree in spring

Conservation Efforts

planning, preserving & protecting

Part of the vision of Long Savanna is to preserve as much nature and green space as possible and to minimize traffic by offering a walkable neighborhood.

The City worked closely with Long Savanna to establish an urban
growth boundary, creating a green edge to limit urban sprawl. The property is further enhanced and protected because of it location within Ashley River Historic Corridor

WEST ASHLEY PARKLANDS

The 1,832 acres of parklands that surround Long Savanna were established in 2009 by the Charleston County Parks and Recreation Commission and the City of Charleston as a way to enhance and protect the Ashley River Historic Corridor by creating an outer Greenbelt on the urban growth boundary.

Bulow
County Park

Charleston County Parks and Recreation Commission acquired over 1628 acres from the Cuthbert Family to establish the largest park within the CCPRC system. This park includes open marshlands overlooking beautiful Rantowles Creek, valuable cultural resources, ancient rice fields, and historic phosphate mining areas with old growth timber.

Charleston
City Park

The City of Charleston acquired 204 acres from the Cuthbert family to establish a park for the West Ashley area.

WEST ASHLEY CONSERVATION LANDS

In 2021, the Lord Berkeley Conservation Trust became the proprietor of the West Ashley conservation easement with a charter to preserve these lands in perpetuity.

LORD BERKELEY CONSERVATION TRUST

Lord Berkeley Conservation Trust is a private nonprofit organization led by volunteer professionals who are dedicated to preserving the natural, cultural and historical resources in and around the Ashley River Headwaters, the Cooper River Basin, Four Holes Swamp and Santee Basin. The trust only works with willing landowners who desire to protect the integrity of their properties, and to do so in a manner that respects private property rights.

THE ASHLEY RIVER HISTORIC CORRIDOR

The Ashley River Historic Corridor stretches north for approximately twelve miles along the Ashley River from Church Creek in Charleston County to Bacon's Bridge Road in Dorchester County. It is a special place in the South Carolina Lowcountry which includes historic plantations and gardens, rural landscapes, churches, residences, archaeological sites and historic properties. During the Antebellum Period the inland savannas and dry grounds of the district (including Long Savanna and the surrounding parklands) were developed as the primary location for agricultural activity which was overseen from the county seats on the river.

LONG SAVANNA
DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS

Long Savanna will be developed following specific standards that impact the design and character of the neighborhood. These standards will help shape high-quality public community spaces and a valuable neighborhood for its inhabitants.

Community

Long Savanna is a large, thriving neighborhood with a focus on sustainability. The project includes moving the Urban Growth Boundary (UGB), which solidifies the greenbelt for the Charleston County region in West Ashley. The revised boundary sits along the edge of the parklands and provides a permanent, finite edge to Charleston’s urbanized area. Long Savanna is home to a vast park preserve centered on natural systems, including wetland and habitat connectivity and sustainable stormwater management. Only complete neighborhoods offering a mix of uses and housing types are designed, while key landmarks are reserved for civic purposes and architectural anchors. Finally, Long Savanna is connected through a pedestrian-friendly network of walkable streets and trails that foster community and minimize vehicle traffic.

Discover Long Savanna

A Natural Gathering Place for Families

The Baronies