Dan Wood highlights Bluffton’s New Riverside Barn, parks and upcoming medical growth

Dan Wood praised the New Riverside Barn during remarks at the facility, saying the venue underscored Bluffton’s investment in parks and family amenities. "We can put about 200 people on the inside," he said, noting the site’s indoor capacity and its utility alongside existing outdoor spaces.

Wood said the town and its council prioritized attracting young families while supporting retirees, citing the town’s median age as "about 38." He described the Riverside Barn as "our jewel" among local parks and said personal experience as a grandfather made the facilities especially meaningful to him.

Looking ahead, Wood outlined transportation and growth priorities, saying the town is pursuing bypass projects and walkability improvements in Old Town and seeking closer ties with universities to retain and employ young residents. He also commented on health-care developments in the area, saying, "We are about to become a medical mecca," and noting two hospitals planned in the Buckwalter area and the involvement of USC and MUSC.

The exchange was a site-visit style interview focused on the new facility and the town’s growth strategy; it concluded with mutual thanks and an invitation to continue watching how the Riverside Barn is used by the community.