Demetre Park facts for kids

Melton Peter Demetre Park is a public park located in Charleston, South Carolina. Many local people still call it "Sunrise Park." The park was officially named Melton Peter Demetre Park in 2007. It's named after its original owner, Melton Demetre, who generously gave the land to the City of Charleston so it could be used as a park for everyone to enjoy.

How the Park Was Created

Melton Demetre owned a piece of land with amazing views of Charleston Harbor. You could see famous spots like The Battery from his property. In the 1960s, Mr. Demetre added dirt to his waterfront land. This practice was later stopped by new rules.

In 1970, the United States Army Corps of Engineers told Mr. Demetre to stop adding dirt. This led to some legal discussions. Eventually, in 1975, a judge decided that the added dirt could stay. However, the land could only be used for what Mr. Demetre had originally planned: a marina.

Donating the Land for a Park

In 1990, Mr. Demetre decided to donate his land to the City of Charleston. The land was worth a lot of money at the time. He had one main condition: the city had to turn it into a park within ten years. The park also needed certain features and had to be named after him when it opened.

By the year 2000, the ten-year deadline was getting close. The city put in a temporary floating dock. However, they didn't complete all the other things they had agreed to do. Mr. Demetre felt the city hadn't met the conditions of his gift. He wanted the land back, which was then worth even more.

In 2007, the issue was resolved. The city agreed to a plan to make the park better. This included building a new 190-foot pier.

What You Can Do at the Park

Melton Peter Demetre Park offers many fun things to do and see. It's a great place for families and friends to spend time outdoors.

Park Features and Activities

• Fishing Pier: There's a long fishing pier that stretches into the harbor. It opened in February 2009. The pier is 190 feet long and leads to a larger area with a floating dock. It's perfect for fishing or just enjoying the water.
• Beaches: The park has two large sandy beaches right on the waterfront. These are great spots for relaxing or playing by the water.
• Nature Areas: You can explore marshes and a large pond that is part of a nature preserve. These areas are home to various plants and animals.
• Picnic Area: There's a covered picnic area where you can enjoy meals with your family and friends.
• Green Spaces: The park also has wide fields of green grass, perfect for playing games or just running around.
• Hiking Trail: There are beginnings of a hiking trail for those who like to walk and explore.

Park Improvements

The city of Charleston approved $450,000 to make these improvements. Melton Peter Demetre Park is the only city-run waterfront park on James Island. In June 2019, the park was temporarily closed for the summer. This was to fix damage from past hurricanes and add more improvements. This project was expected to cost over $800,000.

Amazing Views and Popularity

The park offers some of the most beautiful views in Charleston. From here, you can see:

• The Battery
• The Downtown Charleston Peninsula
• The Ravenel Bridge
• Patriots Point and Sullivan's Island
• Fort Sumter

Thousands of people visit Melton Peter Demetre Park every year. This makes it one of the most popular public spots on Charleston Harbor. In June 2016, the South Carolina Legislature officially thanked Melton Peter Demetre for his generous gift that led to the park's creation.

Former Charleston Mayor Joe Riley once called the park the "Crown Jewel" of Charleston's park system. Current Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg also listed Melton P. Demetre Park as one of his favorite places in the Lowcountry.