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Pine Trace Natural Area Groundbreaking Ceremony
Dorchester County invites residents to the Pine Trace Natural Area Groundbreaking Ceremony! This future 306-acre park will feature an extensive trail system, bike/pedestrian connections, 6-acre fishing pond, fishing pier, ADA kayak launch, shelters, playground, disc golf course, dog parks, and primitive group camping area.
The Pine Trace Natural Area Groundbreaking Ceremony will take place on Thursday, March 9th at 10:00 AM. Parking will be at Eugene Sires Elementary School (301 Chandler Creek Rd., Summerville) with secondary parking at the Coastal Center (9995 Jamison Rd., Ladson).
We look forward to celebrating the start of construction with you! Please RSVP at the link below.
Dorchester Elected Officials and Department Leaders Participate in Women Build
Each year, Dorchester County's Margaret Bailey, Register of Deeds, coordinates a Habitat for Humanity Women Build event for female elected officials and department heads. This year on Valentine's Day, they once again shared some love by volunteering to help build a house on N. Hickory Street in Summerville.
If you are interested in sponsoring or volunteering, please reach out to Dorchester Habitat for Humanity.
Dorchester County Public Safety Services Community Survey 2023
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As Dorchester County continues to develop and grow, we are committed to the safety and well-being of residents and visitors. In order to understand our community's concerns and priorities, Dorchester County invites residents to take the Public Safety Community Survey.
The survey includes questions about Fire Rescue, the Sheriff’s Office, EMS, Emergency Management, the Coroner’s Office, and our 911 Consolidated Dispatch. Your participation will help our agencies understand your needs so that we can improve our processes and services to residents. The survey will remain open until mid March and is online and available in hard copies at the St. George and Summerville Libraries in both Spanish and English.
Please take a few minutes to fill out the survey below. Thank you!
Dorchester Public Safety Annual Survey - English
Dorchester Public Safety Annual Survey - Spanish
In 2010, Dorchester County requested assistance to restore the Polk Swamp to its more natural condition. After Hurricane Hugo, the area continued to decline causing significant havoc on the ecosystem. Today, after years of work, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Charleston District and county officials signed a Project Partnership Agreement to restore almost 300 acres of bottomland hardwood forest in Polk Swamp.
The next step is design and engineering with construction planned for 2025. Our hope is that the next generation can enjoy the area as previous generations once did!
 Annual Passes and Renewals
Can you believe it’s almost been a year since Ashley River Park has opened? Neither can we! It was probably a surprise when some of you received a reminder that your Dorchester County Park annual pass was about to expire. It’s a good thing our Parks and Recreation Department has made it convenient to get your pass renewed.
But why renew your membership? Well, in addition to receiving another full year of free admission to Ashley River Park for you and your household, you’ll get free admission for:
- Ashley River Park movie nights
- Holiday and seasonal festivals and other events
- Nature walks
- Fitness programs (after paying the registration fee)
We’re also hard at work on various improvements to Ashley River Park, including:
- Splash pad shade structures
- Tackling drainage issues at the dog parks
- More picnic shelters, tables, and benches
- A rock-climbing wall and adventure course
If you renew your annual pass again in 2024, your pass will also include admission to Pine Trace Natural Area. We’re currently anticipating that park to open in the summer of 2024.
Renewing your membership is easy! Just visit the Ashley River Park office at 200 Renken Road in Summerville or give us a call at (843) 806-2426.
If you haven’t already renewed, now’s your sign to do it! Come explore the great outdoors with Dorchester County Parks!
 Dorchester County EMS Explorers Program
Dorchester County EMS is recruiting young people (15-20 years old) to become cadets in the EMS explorer program. This program provides training and knowledge of pre-hospital emergency and non-emergency skills associated with an EMS career. Cadets are also able to participate in local community events and ride-alongs.
Some benefits of the explorer post program include:
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Improving self confidence
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Leadership experience
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Character building activities
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Community service opportunities
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College and career readiness
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Hands on experience in pre-hospital care
Meetings are bi-monthly and take place every other Thursday evening.
For questions or to request more information, please reach out to the Explorer Post Advisors:
Paramedic Samantha VanBuren: Svanburen@dorchestercountysc.gov
EMT Paige McPherson: Pmcpherson@dorchestercountysc.gov
 Dorchester County Recently Awarded 2023 Litter Crew Grant
Dorchester County Public Works/Solid Waste was recently awarded the 2023 Litter Crew Grant for $25,000 from Palmetto Pride.
Since 2019, Dorchester has removed more than 139 tons of litter from approximately 580 miles of county, state, and municipal roads in Dorchester County.
Grant and county funding enables the Public Works/Solid Waste Department to hire temporary workers through Snelling Staffing for the litter cleanup program. The program also encourages volunteers and local community groups to adopt-a-spot or take on an area for cleanup.
Dorchester County Public Works/Solid Waste was also awarded a second grant of $2,500 from Palmetto Pride for safety training and equipment.
"We are proud that the Keep Dorchester County Beautiful program has had such a positive impact in our community, and we appreciate the support of Palmetto Pride and County Council that makes this initiative possible," said Donna Thomas, Dorchester County Public Works Senior Environmental Services Officer. "With our recent grant award, we are excited to continue our goal of creating a 'sustainable, beautiful, and economically thriving community'."
Snelling Staffing is currently hiring for the Keep Dorchester County Beautiful program. If interested in helping to clean up Dorchester County, please call 843-302-8924.
 VA Benefits and Disability Claims Workshop
Dorchester County Veterans Affairs is hosting a Veterans Benefits and Disability Claims Workshop on March 31 from 2pm - 4pm at the Summerville County Council Chambers (500 N. Main St., Summerville).
The agenda will include a disability benefits overview, dependency and indemnity compensation and pension eligibility, and a time for questions.
If you have questions about veteran benefits, please contact the Dorchester County Veterans Affairs Office at (843) 832-0050 to schedule an appointment.
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