Recommend this:

Riverfront Park's boardwalk winds along the Cooper River shoreline above the marsh grass. The naturalized seawall system parallels the boardwalk, creating prime fish and shellfish habitat in this protected area between the rocks and the shore. Photo by City of North Charleston

Riverfront Park spreads out from the mouth of Noisette Creek and continues down along the Cooper River. On this sultry, summer day, a breeze floats off the water, barely stirring the Spanish moss that drips from massive oaks. Couples swing out over the water. Pelicans soar overhead. Children laugh and splash in the fountain. People fish from the pier. Today is as easy as a walk in the park.

Locals, tourists, retired military, all visit Riverfront Park, and for many reasons: the historical Panama-style officers quarters, the boardwalk, unusual metal sculptures, unique playground equipment, escape from the heat, a crime free park, the military memorial, and lots of ships.

Carolyn Mann has frequented the park since its grand opening five years ago. “I used to work right over there on the Frank Cable, a submarine tender,” she said, pointing to the row of ships lined up at the shore. “I even played golf right on this spot.”

Mann, retired Navy, is referring to the military golf course once located here. In 1901, this section of town became the Charleston Naval Base. As such, it was off limits to most residents for nearly a century. The base closed in 1996.

Several years after the closure, the Noisette Company and the City of North Charleston worked together to design and build this $6 million park. The 10-acre park would finally allow waterfront access for everyone. The partners agreed to build a sustainable park.

Sustainable parks are a new trend in park development. As with environmentally friendly sustainable houses, sustainable parks conserve water and energy. Sustainable parks also reduce pollution, clean the water and restore wildlife habitat.

Two habitat restoration projects occurred during the Riverfront Park project. One involved wetlands restoration, the other shoreline restoration. Wetlands restoration was required because wetlands naturally clean the water, and provide wildlife habitat. The Navy had filled in wetlands along Noisette Creek to build the golf course. The first phase of the wetlands restoration project simply meant workers would stop mowing grass along the creek. The natural marshland returned. Then the wildlife returned. Future phases call for the removal of berms, French drains and golf tee boxes. See the Noisette Preserve Plan.

During the shoreline restoration, workers removed the sloped concrete banks that ran to the water’s edge. This armored shoreline had protected the shore from wave erosion caused by passing boats, but it also removed fish and shellfish habitat.

So workers removed the concrete, which was reused throughout the park. Granite boulders now form a naturalized seawall system along the shoreline. This area naturally filters pollutants while protecting against erosion. Grassy areas along the seawall provide fish and shellfish habitat.

Above the seawall, Narissa Hobson of North Charleston stands on the pier, cast net in hand. Today she is fishing for shrimp. “My dad is a fisherman,” she said. “ He’s lived here all his life. He told us it’s good fishing here and it is.
“It’s also a lot of fun. I come here with my family just to get away. Whether it’s raining or sunny, we don’t care.”

Hobson said neither she nor anyone in her family was aware that Riverfront Park is sustainable. In fact, not one person questioned was aware of this fact.

For example, a family picnicking on the great lawn was blissfully unaware of the salt-tolerant paspalum grass growing beneath them. Because it conserves water, paspalum grass was planted on the 3-acre field that gently slopes toward the concert pavilion. Brackish water pumped from the river is used to water the grass. To further conserve water, invasive plants were removed and replaced with native plants. Native plants need less water, fertilizer and pesticides.

Another important phase of the project involved stormwater management. During this phase, large areas of impervious pavement were removed from the golf course area. On impervious surfaces, water runs off and is forced to travel downhill. As it travels, the water can pick up toxic substances like oil or fertilizer and carry them to our waterways.

Now, all walkways and parking areas are made of pervious materials. Pervious surfaces allow rainwater to pass through them and soak into the ground. This creates more ground water for drinking and helps keep our waterways clean.

Finally, most objects within the park, including the metal benches and waste receptacles, are made from recycled material. And, to save electricity, solar powered lights were installed.

So go take a walk in this sustainable park. Reconnect with nature, get some exercise, meet your neighbors. Remember, not everyone has equal access to green spaces. Take advantage of your good fortune. It’s good for your health, and its good for the health of our planet.

By Mary Neal

Advertisement