A Charleston County Parks Kind of Summer

It happens slowly, an incremental shift towards longer days and warmer weather that brings with it a sense of possibility. Summer, like all seasons, is embodied by a feeling—like your battery has finally, finally reached full charge after six months of sweater weather and days that fall abruptly into night. Or as if the whole world has opened up, stretching out ahead with an endless horizon, just waiting to be enjoyed, experienced, and explored.

And while you may already have travel plans on the books, why not make the most of your days close to home? As experts on all things outdoors in the 843, the Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission (CCPRC) offers invaluable resources for enjoying everything that makes the area so special, through a variety of programs and events that are family-friendly, fun, and memorable.

As a coastal community, the Charleston area offers great waterfront activities—and during the height of summer, being close to the water has the significant advantage of offering a respite from the heat. Capitalizing on those sea breezes and the breathtaking ocean scenery makes the CCPRC’s lineup all the more appealing. Walks through one of the many waterside parks, dances on the pier, beachside yoga, and runs along the marsh fronts—all of these and more are incredible ways to take advantage of everything that makes Charleston County an outdoor lover’s playground.

For those looking to make the most of a summer spent outside, CCPRC’s Gold Pass offers an easy way to turn those spontaneous beach days, concerts, and park visits into a season-long routine. Gold Pass holders are given vehicle access into CCPRC parks and most other events for a full year, including admission into the Lowcountry Cajun Festival, the Reggae Nights concerts throughout the summer at James Island, the Latin American Festival at Wannamaker, and the Harvest Festival at Johns Island County Park. Says CCPRC Public Information Coordinator Sarah Reynolds, “It’s a wonderful purchase this time of year to use to access our beach parks and concerts!”

Park access includes Stono River County Park, Palmetto Islands County Park, James Island County Park, Wannamaker County Park, three beach parks, and the upcoming Old Towne Creek County Park, as well as various others in the local area—each with its own unique appeal. “The marsh boardwalks and other trails in the parks near water are ideal spots for a summertime stroll, jog or bike ride,” says Reynolds. “Breezes off the water, beautiful views, and potential wildlife sightings all make them idyllic locations for a walk on a warm day. If you’d like to get on the water, Palmetto Islands also has boat launches for kayaks.”

Bird watchers and wildlife enthusiasts will find abundant opportunities at local county parks, according to CCPRC Natural History Interpretation Coordinator Keith McCullough.

“Stono River County Park, in particular, is a good place to find birds—especially seabirds such as gulls and terns, and wading birds such as egrets and herons,” McCullough explains. “On a nearby mudflat at low tide, there can be many seabirds along with shorebirds. Painted Buntings have been known to have breeding territory there, and birds that spend time in the tidal marsh are sometimes visible from the boardwalk. We have seen many marsh birds such as Clapper Rail and Marsh Wren—plus it’s one of the better places in the area to see Clapper Rails.”

McCullough notes that Palmetto Islands County Park is equally rewarding. “We see many of the same birds as Stono River, as well as a multitude of songbirds there all year,” he says. “Painted Buntings are also prevalent there from May through September. Others during this time are the Great-crested Flycatcher and Northern Parula. The combination of open marsh, wooded areas, and trail access to edges gives many opportunities to find birds and other wildlife, including deer, raccoon, fiddler crabs, marsh crabs, and sometimes even dolphins.”

Of course, Charleston County’s outdoor experiences aren’t solely about exploration and activity—they can also offer moments of stillness, reflection, and restoration. The CCPRC’s Sunrise and Starlight Yoga programs have developed a devoted following thanks to their calming outdoor settings and welcoming atmosphere.

Early risers can greet the day with sun salutations, starting their morning in a state of tranquil awareness. “Against the backdrop of a brightening horizon, participants ease into an uplifting flow designed to awaken the body, calm the mind, and set positive intentions for the day ahead,” says Allison Foster, CCPRC Fitness and Wellness Manager.

Starlight Yoga winds down the day, offering an invigorating all-levels practice designed to help participants release tension, reconnect with their breath, and move with intention under the evening sky. 

Says Foster, “Sunrise and Starlight Yoga participants are surrounded by the peaceful beauty and calming energy of the outdoors. They leave each class feeling refreshed, grounded, restored, and more connected to themselves and the world around them.”

Each class is designed to promote inclusivity and diversity in participants of all ages, backgrounds, body types, and experience levels, welcoming everyone from those who have never tried yoga to seasoned practitioners. The unique outdoor park locations offer peaceful and inspiring environments that Foster says are perfect for beginning, deepening, or refining a yoga practice while connecting with nature.

As one participant of Sunrise Yoga at Folly Beach County Park says, “It was such a lovely, relaxing, and rejuvenating experience.” Another yogi from Starlight Yoga at Mount Pier would agree: “This was my first time doing yoga with Charleston County Parks, and I absolutely loved it! I will be back.” Sunrise Yoga will be held at the Mount Pleasant Pier on August 22 at 7 a.m. and at the Kiawah Beachwalker Park on September 5 at 7 a.m.  Starlight Yoga will be held on the Folly Beach Pier on August 9 at 7:30 p.m. and at the Mount Pleasant Pier on September 10 at 7:30 p.m.

Getting your body moving in a different kind of rhythm, the CCPRC offers Dancing on the Cooper and Moonlight Mixers—two events that have become a popular way to spend time with old friends and make new ones. Interestingly, these dances have a long history in the Lowcountry. “Dancing on the Cooper evolved from what was once called Shaggin’ on the Cooper, a much older local tradition tied to South Carolina’s beach music culture and shag dancing,” says Reynolds. “Along with its new name, Dancing on the Cooper has expanded to reach a broader crowd with multiple genres of live music, including beach music, classic oldies, soul, rock n’ roll, jazz, salsa, and popular hits from the 60s through today. Because of that, the event now attracts all ages. Gates open at 7 p.m. on July 24 and September 11.

“Like Dancing on the Cooper, Moonlight Mixers at the Folly Beach Pier is rooted in a mix of Carolina beach music culture, shag dancing traditions, and the long history of the pier as a social gathering place,” Reynolds continues. Gates open at 7 p.m. on July 31, August 21, and September 18.

Both events are lively and energetic, offering a welcoming environment for people to enjoy the tunes and spend quality time with friends and family. Reynolds notes that the dances are beginner-friendly and require no previous experience, so participants can relax with a drink, listen to the music, show off their dance moves, or free their minds and let the rhythm take them where it will.

In many ways, that’s what summer is truly about—not necessarily going farther, spending more, or filling every second with plans, but leaning into the rhythm of the moment and being present. Whether it’s an early morning yoga class beneath a brightening sky, an evening spent dancing on the pier with friends, or a quiet walk through the marsh as the breeze rolls in off the water, CCPRC’s programs and parks offer a wide range of opportunities to discover and experience Charleston County at its very best.

For more information, visit ccprc.com.