COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - Not all Lexington County residents are happy about Lexington County’s first state park and the smallest in the state. Pine Island is scheduled to open in October of this year. The park will be open in the beginning of October, on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. until March of 2026.

The 27-acre park was first owned by SCE&G power company and was exclusive only for employees and their families. As part of a tax settlement during the VC Summer fallout over a decade ago, the company was forced to give up the property, leaving it in the hands of South Carolina’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism.

The island was initially owned by the SCE&G power company before they were forced to turn it over as part of the VC Summer fallout.

Lawmakers filed a temporary law that would’ve required a reservation to visit the park given its small size. However, Gov. Henry McMaster vetoed it this year, making the park open to anyone who wants to visit.

Across the lake, some long-time residents are worried traffic and overcrowding will be major issues.

“We are concerned about the additional traffic load it is going to bring to the area, and not having a way to get back out, maybe on our street, or in our driveway,” said Emily Lockman who has lived in her home for over 20 years.

The park sits off River Road, making residents concerned that back up from the park will make the road unsafe for frequent travelers and residents who walk on the road.

“Worried, definitely worried, no excitement for now,” said Steve Ray a resident beside the park. “I think if it’s regulated properly, with the reservation system, it would not be a problem, but for our families who walk on River Road and the traffic, you could simply fix the situation by having a reservation system”

The park will feature a marina with 38 boat slips, over 20 covered picnic tables, a beach, playground, fishing areas and restrooms. The parks manager, Tim Ritter, tells WIS the next few months will be focused on major construction and improvements, including damage from Hurricane Helene prior to the soft opening. However long-term improvements throughout the park are expected to take two years.

Some of the amenities that the park will have are covered picnic areas, a marina and on-site restrooms.

Ritter emphasized the importance of clean restrooms, saying he hopes visitors feel comfortable at the park and are excited to return.

He says they plan to transform the now clubhouse into an event space called “Sunset Hall” with tall glass, outdoor seating and open space for weddings and parties.

Park manager Tim Ritter is hoping to transform the clubhouse into a place called "Sunset Hall" to be rented out for conferences and weddings, among other things.

“We are trying to open at the beginning of October, we are doing a soft open period where we are only open three days a week from October to March in 2026,” said Ritter

The marina as it stands will be for 6–12-month leases and will begin in October. Lease holders will have a code to access the marina daily and it won’t be available to the public.

Ritter said he hopes to keep the parking lot separate from the park in hopes to promote walking and biking. More sidewalks will be added and existing sidewalks will be re-paved. The plans also include filling in the existing pool in order to create a waterfront patio for families to enjoy or for tents to be put up for special occasions. Access to the park may be periodically limited as facility repairs, landscaping and other projects are completed.

As for concerns voiced by residents, Ritter said he has had conversations and plans to have continued discussions with neighbors to make sure concerns are addressed. Ritter lives on the property and agrees, overcrowding and traffic is something he is actively working to address.

Park manager Tim Ritter hopes that by keeping the parking lot further away from the actual park, it will encourage more walking and biking and lead to less vehicular traffic.

He hopes to install a camera over the parking lot so attendants can monitor open spaces and display them on a digital sign on River Road to notify guests of parking availability.

“We have a lot of different tools that we are going to use to help make sure we don’t negatively impact the neighbors, and I think people will actually find that this will be a great thing for them,” said Ritter.

Admissions for the park will cost $6 for adults, $3.75 for South Carolinas seniors and $3.50 for children ages 6-15; ages 5 and under are free.

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