News Release

Work On Boardwalk Replacement to Begin Next Week

The above map of the Boardwalk Trail shows where closures will be in place beginning Monday, January 6, for the first phase of work to remove and replace sections that have surpassed their service life. Closures are marked with Do No Enter symbols.

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News Release Date: January 2, 2025

Contact: Jon Manchester, 803-647-3964

HOPKINS, SC – Beginning on Monday, January 6, contractors from McGary Construction will begin work on the removal and replacement of boardwalk sections B, D, and F, which have exceeded their intended service life. Construction is expected to take a year and half, with projected completion in the summer of 2026.

During this project, sections of the boardwalk trail will be closed and detours to access park trails will be in place. Sections will be closed on a rolling basis, beginning with sections B and C. The current section B, presently a portion of boardwalk low to the ground, will be removed and replaced with a new elevated boardwalk. Section C will be closed to allow construction crews and equipment to access the work area. Subsequent stages for removal and replacement of sections D and F will begin in coming months.

While this project is taking place, construction crews will be using Sims Trail to bring crews, materials, and equipment in and out of areas where work is being conducted. For visitor safety, all hikers using this trail during this time are urged to be aware of construction equipment and to obey all marked trail closures. Further updates on trail access and area closures will be posted on our park website and social media pages.