Sunny Days Dimmed by Trash Troubles at Towne MacDonald Memorial Park
ST. HELENA ISLAND — It’s a beautiful day on St. Helena Island. With a high of 82°F and plenty of sunshine streaming down, it’s hard to imagine that something gloomy is happening in our cherished Towne MacDonald Memorial Park. For years, this small, welcoming park has served as a beloved spot for picnics and relaxation, nestled under the vast canopies of live oaks draped with Spanish moss. Take a drive down the unpaved driveway, and you might just find a peaceful corner to enjoy your lunch surrounded by nature. However, recent events have cast a shadow over this picturesque spot.
The Open Land Trust, which has owned the park since 1989, has recently found itself tackling an unfortunate trend of illegal trash dumping at Towne MacDonald Memorial Park. Just last week, the park experienced not one, but two significant incidents where people irresponsibly dumped their garbage near the entrance. what was once a lovely retreat is now marred by litter. Caylor Romines, the director of stewardship for the Open Land Trust, expressed his disappointment when he said, “Litter has been a common theme for a while, but the mass dumping is new.”
Trash Crisis
Community Response
This troubling turn of events hasn’t gone unnoticed by the community. Neighbors often step up, picking up bits of litter in their spare time, hoping to keep the beloved park clean. One neighbor even reached out to Romines when they found more trash than they could handle, highlighting the park’s importance in the local community. “A lot of people pop in here and clean up on their own. They love the place and they help keep it clean,” Romines praised.
The situation did attract official attention, leading to some collective action on October 18. York Glover, Beaufort County District 3 Councilmember, visited the park to see the damage firsthand. Joined by local law enforcement and Public Works teams, they combated the trash problem head-on. “I’m not here to punish anyone,” Glover said, emphasizing the need for community cooperation.
Taking Action
The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office is investigating, even going through the trash for clues about who might be responsible for these irresponsible acts. The county has alternative options for residents to dispose of waste properly, such as nine convenience centers and curbside pick-up services. Glover mentioned how the county instituted a car-window decal system to limit access to these centers to their residents, aiming to address the influx of waste previously coming from outside the county.
As part of their ongoing efforts, the Open Land Trust is considering whether stricter measures, such as putting a chain across the driveway, should be put in place to prevent future dumping. But Romines is hesitant to restrict access, expressing a desire to trust the community to keep the park clean. “We just ask that people clean up after themselves,” he said.
Hope for Change
The sunny days of St. Helena Island can still flourish if we all take a moment to reflect on our actions. As fall settles in, we wish for the Towne MacDonald Memorial Park to remain a haven for nature lovers and families. Tackling this issue requires teamwork, respect for our local environment, and a shared sense of responsibility. After all, isn’t enjoying the outdoors even better when it’s clean and beautiful?
Hopefully, with the heightened patrols by the Sheriff’s Office and a raised community consciousness, Towne MacDonald Memorial Park can return to its former glory as a spot for joy, relaxation, and cherished memories.
