Charleston County Considers $3 Million Expansion for Dungannon Heritage Preserve

Charleston County officials are weighing a $3 million investment to acquire 608 acres of land in Hollywood, South Carolina, a move that would nearly double the size of the existing Dungannon Heritage Preserve.

Protecting Growth in the Lowcountry

The proposal, spearheaded by the Open Space Institute Land Trust, seeks funding from the county’s Greenbelt Program to secure the property, which sits directly adjacent to the current preserve. If approved, the land would eventually be managed by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, ensuring the area remains undeveloped while opening the site for public hiking, fishing, hunting, and wildlife observation.

Chris Dubuque, deputy director of Greenbelt Programs for Charleston County, said that the acquisition addresses the rapid development pressures currently facing the region. “There’s no question Ravenel and Hollywood face a tremendous amount of development and growth currently,” Dubuque told Live 5 News WCSC. “Not only would this provide direct public access, but also protect critical wildlife habitat in the area and ultimately strengthen the area’s flood resilience.”

Financial Structure of the Expansion

While the county is being asked for $3 million, the total project cost is estimated to exceed $13 million, according to reporting by Hoodline. To bridge the gap, the Open Space Institute Land Trust is contributing more than $10.5 million in matching support, which includes a state grant application and the value of land donated by the current property owner.

This funding request arrives shortly after Charleston County voters approved a referendum on Nov. 3 to extend the half-cent transportation sales tax. That measure is projected to generate $4.25 billion for infrastructure over the next 25 years, with approximately $690 million earmarked for the Greenbelt Program. The program, which relies on these sales tax revenues, has protected more than 21,000 acres since its inception in 2006, according to the county’s Greenbelt program overview.

The Path to Public Access

The timeline for the project remains tied to administrative approvals. If the Charleston County Council authorizes the funding, the Open Space Institute Land Trust aims to close on the property by the end of 2026.

Following the purchase, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources would begin the process of integrating the land into the existing preserve. Officials estimate the property could become accessible to the public within one to five years, depending on the speed of the transfer process.

The council is also considering other land preservation requests, including a separate proposal from the Lowcountry Land Trust for more than $1 million to support the proposed Tupelo Trail on Johns Island. These projects reflect a recurring pattern of land-use debates in the county, where officials must balance infrastructure needs with the preservation of rural landscapes.

Open Questions and Next Steps

While the proposal highlights the county’s ongoing commitment to conservation, several details remain unsettled. As of the latest reports, it is unclear whether the Finance Committee advanced the Hollywood request during their meeting, and the final purchase price or specific funding breakdown remains subject to further legislative review.