Angel Oak Park expects to expand by 2026

JOHNS ISLAND, S.C. (WCBD) – The Angel Oak park plans to expand to a total of 44 acres.

The Angel Oak Preserve initiative is in the city permit stage. The park currently sits on nine acres in the City of Charleston, where it will be combined with surrounding land owned by the Lowcountry Land Trust.

“We call those the wetlands that saved the Angel Oak because not only are they important ecologically for the tree,” Samantha Siegel, Angel Oak preserve director, said. “But that was how we were able to sue the developer who wanted to turn this whole area into apartments and retail space.”

The project has been apart of a ten-year community effort that is now in the design phase and is inching towards construction. Some of the features that the Angel Oak Reserve will host includes two trails that comply with the Americans with Disability Act, a synthetic branch that children can climb on, and a commemorative plant and healing trail.

“This property is so historically significant. There are two known archeological sites on the property and we’re still doing more archeology. Every time we do, we find more artifacts and more evidence that this was always the center of the Johns Island community.”

The South Carolina treasure is home to 400,000 visitors that come from local, national, and international locations.

“We as South Carolinians should be incredibly proud of our legacy of protecting this tree because people come to visit it from all over the world. Just this morning I talked to folks from the Czech Republic and England, who are bringing Angel Oak acorns back to their country.”

Another moving part in the works is new entrance that will feature a welcome pavilion and new parking area. The current space rests on the roots of the Angel Oak, so to take care of the tree’s health it will be located Bohicket Road.

Siegel said the project is moving along every day and is expected to break ground next year. This will give the tree “the environment it deserves.” The Angel Oak Preserve aims to open in 2026.

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