Fort Pemberton Park opens, bringing centuries of history back to the public
July 23, 2026
Charleston County Parks has opened Fort Pemberton Park, an 8.7-acre waterfront park on James Island that transforms a site with centuries of history into a new public recreation destination along the Stono River.
The property is best known as the location of Fort Pemberton, an earthen fortification constructed by Confederate forces in 1863 to protect nearby Wappoo Creek and help defend Charleston during the Civil War. Following the war, the land transitioned to agricultural use before remaining in private ownership for decades.
Today, the site has been reimagined as a public park featuring a fishing dock, kayak launch, walking trails, picnic shelter and waterfront access. Visitors may also spot native wildlife, including bald eagles, wood storks, foxes and the occasional armadillo.
Fort Pemberton Park is located at 221 Yates Ave. in the Riverland Terrace community. Separate ADA-accessible entrances provide access to both the historic upper portion of the fort and the waterfront section of the park.
The public is invited to attend the official ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, July 29, at 9 a.m.
