Mount Pleasant Magazine July/August 2021

55 www.MountPl easantPodcas t . com | www. ReadMPM. com | www. I LoveMountPl easant . com Photos by Wi l l i am Beebe . M ost Mount Pleasant residents know about Palmetto Islands County Park, but for those looking to avoid the throngs, Fort Palmetto Park, with its picturesque marsh views and interesting history, provides a less crowded and free recreational alternative. Located off Six Mile Road at 2213 North Palmetto Fort Drive, Fort Palmetto flies under the radar as a cultural site, so you’re probably unfamiliar with it unless you’ve spoken with someone who’s been there or randomly stumbled upon it. Once you arrive at Fort Palmetto, there is a small parking area, and no entry fee is required. The park features a wide 1.5-mile round-trip graveled path for walking and biking. Like many trails along the South Carolina coast, this path is characterized by level terrain suitable for all ages and skill levels. The dog-friendly path is accessible year-round, and amenities such as benches, trash cans and pet waste stations dot the trail. The park is also a nice spot for bird watching and wildlife viewing. There are never any guarantees in observing nature, but this lucky adventurer spotted a brilliantly colored male painted bunting; glimpsed a fluttering ruby-throated hummingbird; watched two BY COL I N MCCANDLESS A Stroll Through History Skip the Crowds and Explore CivilWar-Era Fort Palmetto