West Ashley project to add historic views, pier

Leonard Higgins stands by the Ashley River, reminiscing about the fun he had crabbing as a child.

Sixty-five years ago, he and his friends would hop along the railroad tracks that ran through the Ashleyville neighborhood, stepping aside as trains whirred past, for about half a mile to get to the river. There they'd snag what they called "rusties," big blue crabs with impressive claws and shells tinted orange.

As he speaks of those Saturday mornings long ago, there's a hint of excitement in his voice.

Higgins soon may be catching rusties again.

Over the next three months, the city of Charleston will install a 10-foot-wide paved path along the old railroad right of way that is uneven and littered with trash. Benches will provide a resting spot along the meandering path, and picnic tables will be placed at the end.

The project is an extension of the West Ashley Bikeway, which runs from Wappoo Road and Savannah Highway to Highway 61. The new construction will give the bikeway a more scenic end, a view of marshes, the Ashley River, the Charleston peninsula and, on a clear day, six of the area's bridges.

Charleston Mayor Joseph Riley announced the beginning of construction last week, calling it "a great cause for celebration." The path gives beauty and recreation to all residents and places them in a historically significant area, he said. Charles Towne Landing is just up the river from the path's end.

"This part of the New World began right here, and we're giving it back to our citizens," he said.

Eventually, a pier will extend over the water, Riley said.

Construction of the path is starting two months later than the city planned.

According to Dustin Clemens, project manager and landscape architect with the city's parks department, the permitting process took longer than expected.

About 15 nearby residents walked or rode a city-supplied golf cart out to the bluff overlooking the Ashley River, where the path will end, to hear the city's announcement on March 18.

"Today is just about plain folks," said Higgins, now president of the Maryville/Ashleyville Neighborhood Association.

The day gave residents a chance to reminisce about things they enjoyed doing as children, he said.

It also held promise of a resource that will make it easier for them to do those things again.

"I'm just elated that we're starting the project," Higgins said. "Hopefully, I'm going to be able to fish down here in old age."

Also in attendance were a handful of city staff, City Councilman Wendell Gilliard and Tom Bradford, director of Charleston Moves, a nonprofit promoter of cycling, walking, running and public transportation.

The path will bring the city closer to its goal of having a 19-mile network of bike and pedestrian trails in West Ashley, which will eventually be linked to the paths of the peninsula and to the popular pedestrian lane on the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held when the new portion of the path is complete.

Reach Kristen Hankla at 937-5548 or khankla@postandcourier.com.