Council assigns donated Mepkin-area acreage to Parks and Recreation; chair announces separate 1,300-acre parkland gift

Berkeley County council voted Jan. 12 to assign donated property near Mepkin Abbey to the Parks and Recreation Department, enabling county parks staff to manage and develop public-access plans. The assignment was discussed in committee and carried by voice vote.

Later in chairman's time the chair told council that the county had been offered an additional gift: approximately 1,300 acres adjacent to Mepkin Abbey that would be protected and made publicly accessible at no cost to the county. The chair said the property will be protected through the county's greenbelt program and that attorneys and staff are finalizing details; he indicated further announcements are imminent once logistics are resolved.

Council recorded the assignment motion and thanked staff and the donor; staff will return with implementation details, including stewardship and access plans.