Beautiful Beaufort Open Land Trust (BBOLT) is proud to announce a new land conservation partnership with Albergotti Creek Farm LLC to permanently protect a scenic 2.8-acre parcel along 3492 Trask Parkway (Highway 21). Located adjacent to Albergotti Creek and the Spanish Moss Trail, this incredible property includes 0.4 acres of tidal marsh and approximately 0.8 acres of wetlands. These are sensitive natural areas that now benefit from permanent protection.
In addition to conserving natural habitats, this parcel includes a long-standing billboard licensed since the 1960s, which will continue to generate ongoing revenue for BBOLT. This innovative aspect of the preservation agreement supports our mission sustainably, while honoring the land’s past uses.
The 1.6 acres of upland property have recently undergone site clearing and maintenance, revealing beautiful and mature old-growth trees, which has opened up a striking viewshed from Trask Parkway. BBOLT is actively working to annex this pristine property into the City of Beaufort and rezone it from industrial (S1, Beaufort County) to parks and natural land (T1, City of Beaufort), thus ensuring its long-term alignment with conservation goals.
Consistency with Beaufort’s Vision Plans:
This conservation effort aligns closely with multiple planning documents and goals established by the City of Beaufort:
2021 Beaufort Comprehensive Plan: The parcel supports goals outlined in the “Parks/Open Space” and “Natural Resources” sections, contributing to habitat protection, scenic viewsheds, water quality, and biodiversity. Its adjacency to the Spanish Moss Trail also makes it a valuable access and recreational point.
The Future Land Use section of the Comprehensive Plan identifies the “Parks/Open Space” category as an area that “is intended to preserve areas that contain sensitive habitats, active or passive open spaces and urban parks, cemeteries, and limited agricultural uses.”
Despite its juxtaposition to commercial/light industrial uses nearby, this parcel of land, situated right on the edge of Salt / Albergotti Creek, is a prime natural resource, as outlined in the Natural Resources section of the Comprehensive Plan. As such, “The character, quality of life, economy, and sense of place of Beaufort is linked with its waters and natural environment.” […] “Together with history and culture, the natural environment of Beaufort drives the local tourism industry” (see Natural Resources section – N1). Moreover, its juxtaposition to the Spanish Moss Trail, defines this specific parcel of land as a potentially valuable access point to such.
2014 Civic Master Plan: The site furthers objectives to connect key community locations (parks, neighborhoods, and cultural sites) through pedestrian-friendly, green infrastructure. As a future passive park, it enhances the broader civic and tourism experience.
Especially in regard to its position right next to the Spanish Moss Trail (SMT), this prospective park site offers great opportunity to fulfill the Civic Master Plan’s objective to help “connect homes, workplaces, parks, churches and schools, providing noteworthy opportunities for recreational users and daily commuters moving throughout Beaufort, Port Royal and Beaufort County” (refer to Ch. 5.2 – page 89).
Furthermore, in promoting access to the SMT, this potential park site also has the “potential to strengthen the tourism industry by opening new routes to historic Beaufort and expanding tourism opportunities beyond the downtown core” (refer to Ch. 5.3 – page 94).
2021 Beaufort Open Space Master Plan: This parcel fulfills major conservation goals including preserving open space from development, protecting biodiversity, enhancing riparian buffers, and improving non-motorized public access to the water.
The parcel of land to be annexed into the City as a (passive) park site, will also meet all of the following Open Space Plan objectives:
- To preserve open space within the City of Beaufort from the increasing pressure of rapid development.
- To manage growth and preserve the rich natural heritage of the City.
- To protect and expand view corridors.
- To protect critical habitat and maintain or increase existing bio-diversity with special emphasis on rare, threatened and endangered species.
- To minimize degradation to water quality due to non-point source pollution through the protection of important riparian and wetland buffers.
- To increase public access to the water and to provide greater recreational opportunities for all.
- To provide options for the use of alternative, non-motorized transportation such as walking and bicycling.
Future Collaboration and Access:
BBOLT is currently exploring opportunities to integrate this land into the Spanish Moss Trail experience, offering the public a new passive park and scenic entry point into the City of Beaufort. This site has the potential to become a model for future conservation, demonstrating how even small parcels can offer big environmental, cultural, and economic value.
We hope this success inspires other landowners along Albergotti Creek to consider working with BBOLT to protect their land in a tax-efficient, meaningful way that leaves a legacy for generations.
BBOLT is proud to assist landowners with conservation easements, development rights, and land donations to create a beautiful legacy for their property, all in an efficient, compliant, and collaborative process.
3492 Trask Parkway is just the beginning. Together, we’re preserving the beauty of Beaufort in perpetuity, one parcel at a time.
3492 Trask Parkway Location
Tidal Marsh, Wetlands, and Uplands Land Classification
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