Daniel Island facts for kids

Daniel Island, South Carolina is a 4,000-acre (16 km2) island located in the city of Charleston, South Carolina. It was named after Robert Daniell, who was a colonial governor of the Carolinas. The island is in Berkeley County, found between the Cooper River and the Wando River. Since 2012, Daniel Island has been developed as a carefully planned community. It includes homes, parks, walking trails, fun activities, and a downtown area. This downtown has shops, restaurants, schools, churches, and offices.

History of Daniel Island

Daniel Island was once owned by the Harry Frank Guggenheim Foundation. For many years, it was used for farming, raising cattle, and as a private hunting spot. The island stayed mostly undeveloped until the early 1990s. This was when the new I-526 expressway was finished.

After the expressway was built, the Guggenheim Foundation helped create a plan for the island. This plan aimed to guide its growth as a natural part of Charleston's wealthy suburbs. Building the first homes started in 1996. In 1997, the Daniel's Island Company bought the island. This company specializes in creating master-planned communities. Since then, hundreds of acres have been turned into parks for everyone to enjoy.

What's on Daniel Island?

Daniel Island has many great facilities and is known for smart planning.

Sports and Recreation

The Family Circle Tennis Center is a professional sports facility on the island. There is also a private club called the Daniel Island Club. It has golf courses designed by famous golf course architects Tom Fazio and Rees Jones. The club even hosted a big golf tournament, the Nationwide Tour Championship, from 2009 to 2011.

Community Planning

The community and its developers have won many awards for their responsible planning. They are recognized for using "smart growth" practices. In 2007, Daniel Island received an "Award for Excellence" from the Urban Land Institute.

Parks and Downtown

Daniel Island is home to eight main parks. Each neighborhood on the island has its own park. These parks include Barfield Park, Center Park, Cochran Park, Codner's Ferry Park, Daniel Island Park, Etiwan Park, Pierce Park, and Smythe Park.

The island also has a lively downtown area. Here, you can find many businesses, restaurants, doctors' offices, shops, and apartments.

Schools and Learning

Daniel Island has several schools for different age groups.

Local Schools

The DI Academy is for pre-kindergarten students. The Daniel Island School serves students from kindergarten through 8th grade. Bishop England High School is a private Roman Catholic high school. It has about 700 students and teaches grades 9 through 12.

The Daniel Island School is part of the Berkeley County School District. It was built in 2006 and can hold up to 1,200 students. This school serves students from Daniel Island and Thomas Island. In 2016, the school became very crowded with over 1,400 students. However, the opening of Philip Simmons Elementary and Middle School helped ease this crowding.

High School Zoning

Students from Daniel Island are now zoned to attend Philip Simmons High School. Before 2017, they were zoned for Hanahan High School in Hanahan.

Public Library

Daniel Island also has its own public library. It is a branch of the Berkeley County Library System, offering books and resources to the community.

Sports Teams and Events

Daniel Island has been a hub for sports.

Local Sports Teams

The Charleston Battery, a professional soccer team, used to play on Daniel Island. Their home stadium was the MUSC Health Stadium, located on Daniel Island Drive.

Tennis Tournaments

The Volvo Car Open, a professional tennis tournament, is held at the Family Circle Tennis Center. This tournament is also known as the Charleston Open.