The Beaufort County Passive Parks Department manages and operates over 14,000 acres of property, including pocket parks, nature preserves, historic sites, an interpretive center and event facilities. We are growing every year, so please check back regularly for updates on new parks and programs.

Mission

The Beaufort County Passive Parks Department wants to improve the quality of life in Beaufort County by offering accessible nature-based passive recreation and environmental education opportunities for the residents and visitors of Beaufort County.

Vision

To offer a clean and safe nature-based visitor experience where all feel welcome.

Staff

Mailing Address: 124 Lady's Island Drive, Beaufort, SC 29907

Director          Stefanie M. Nagid          (843) 255-2152          snagid@bcgov.net

Naturalist        Destiney Rains              (843) 255-7309          destiney.rains@bcgov.net

Ranger            Bradley Owens              (843) 255-2150          bradley.owens@bcgov.net

History

The Passive Parks Department was created in 2018 as a new Beaufort County program due to the County’s years long acquisition of open space and the public’s interest in access to those properties. Passive park properties are acquired through the Beaufort County Rural and Critical Lands or Green Space programs, and then managed and operated by the Passive Parks Department with three achievable goals: sustainability, multi-use and revenue generation. The primary goal is to promote sustainability and safeguard the conservation values and natural resources from being compromised. That goal is always at the forefront when determining multi-use passive recreation and revenue generation possibilities on passive park properties.

What is a Passive Park?

Passive parks are fee-simple purchased properties acquired by Beaufort County that are intended to conserve natural and/or cultural resources, as well as provide open space and/or passive recreation to the residents and visitors of Beaufort County.

Passive recreation is nature-based outdoor recreation focusing on the enjoyment of one’s natural surroundings. The development of nature-based activities on passive park properties may include hiking, fishing, camping, hunting, boating, gardening, bicycling, nature studies, and visiting historic sites.

Please remember to Leave No Trace and follow these principles when visiting a passive park:

1. Plan ahead and prepare to ensure your safety and know the rules.
2. Stay on trail for your safety and to avoid resource damage.
3. Pack it in, pack it out and dispose of all waste properly.
4. Leave what you find for the enjoyment of all.
5. Respect wildlife through quiet observation from a distance and never feed wildlife.
6. Be considerate of other visitors and minimize noise and uncontrolled pets.