Sullivan’s Island Town Council reviews Stith Park master plan

SULLIVAN’S ISLAND, S.C. (WCBD) – Sullivan’s Island Town Council is expected to discuss the approval of the Stith Park Master Plan Tuesday night.

Officials said some of the key elements include an all-inclusive playground with ADA equipment, pickleball courts, walking trails, community gather spaces and more. The town took public input over the past year through charrettes and an online survey. Some residents hope the town council will incorporate the park’s mound into the plans.

“Right now, it’s sort of an eyesore in the middle of this nice facility we have here,” Caroline Rion, resident of Sullivans Island, said. “So, finding some way to incorporate that with trails or something to make it more included in the park would probably be very helpful.”

Two friends, Chris McCarthy and John Hines, play tennis at Stith Park. They said the courts are sometimes full and with the ideas of the park adding more “active” space, it would benefit the area.

“We play tennis here pretty often and sometimes they are filled up with pickleball,” McCarthy said. “I think it would be great to have some more pickleball courts.”

“I think it’s really smart to have a master plan and it’s really great to add pickleball courts because tennis courts are well used,” Hines said. “I think the more available they are, the more people can get healthy.”

The master plan showed the park divided up into spaces labeled passive, active, grove, and mound and detailed what may go into those spots.

Residents said making a larger gathering spot would be ideal.

“The gazebo’s a great gathering spot, especially for fireworks and the Christmas lights and all of that. So, having something bigger and better would be great.”

However residents said they enjoy the park as is, but are looking forward to the improvements.

“We really just love this part of the playground with all these beautiful, large facilities to play on here,” Rion said. “I mean this is a great, beautiful playground with this great swing set. If we can find a way to make this mound in the middle of the playground become part of the community more, that would be awesome.” 

Town council is expected to decide on the master plan at the meeting.