Charleston County officials are reviewing a multimillion‑dollar proposal that could nearly double the size of the Hollywood nature preserve, according to Live5 News. The Open Space Institute Land Trust has asked the county’s Greenbelt Program for just over $3 million to purchase 608 acres of land directly next to the existing Dungannon Heritage Preserve.
Deputy director of Greenbelt Programs Chris Dubuque said the investment would protect critical wildlife habitat, expand outdoor recreation and improve flood resilience as development accelerates across the Lowcountry. “There’s no question Ravenel and Hollywood face a tremendous amount of development and growth currently,” Dubuque told Live5 News. “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.”
The county’s contribution would be matched by more than $10.5 million from the Open Space Institute Land Trust, which includes a pending state grant and the donated land value from the current property owner. Dubuque called the matching support “a tremendous value for the acquisition.”
If approved, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources would take ownership of the newly acquired land and manage it alongside the existing preserve. The agency plans to keep the property permanently protected, preventing future development and ensuring full public access for activities such as hiking, fishing, hunting and wildlife observation.
The acquisition process is slated to close before the end of 2026, after which the Department of Natural Resources would begin the administrative steps needed to transfer the land. Dubuque estimated that the expanded preserve could open to the public within one to five years, depending on how quickly the acquisition and transfer are completed.
Charleston County Council is scheduled to consider the funding request at its Tuesday‑evening meeting. Council members will vote on whether to allocate the $3 million from the Greenbelt Program toward the purchase.
What’s next: Residents can watch for the council’s decision on Tuesday. If the funding is approved, the Open Space Institute Land Trust aims to finalize the purchase by the end of 2026, with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources managing the land and public access potentially beginning within the next five years.
Sources: live5news.com
