A new park to celebrate

Runners, walkers and cyclists have been enjoying the harbor view from the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge since it opened in 2005. Now they can enjoy the harbor view from beneath the bridge.

The Mount Pleasant Memorial Park is open to the public today after a decade of planning and construction. It is a milestone worthy of the grand celebration planned for the weekend.

The 14-acre park features a pier the length of more than four football fields, a playground, visitor center and Sweetgrass Cultural Arts Pavilion.

But perhaps its greatest asset is its location on the bank of the Cooper River. It is a vantage point that speaks volumes about why people choose to live in and visit the Lowcountry.

Waterfront property has been scooped up for upscale residences, and Mount Pleasant has struggled with how to allow growth without burdening streets and highways even more and without sacrificing the town's quality of life.

In building the park, the town has given its residents, and others, a respite from the traffic and crowds and has also provided inspiration for them to put on some running shoes and exercise.

The park also stands for the productive cooperation between the town and the state Department of Transportation to make good use of space that might otherwise have been unused.

This weekend, there will be music, speeches and well-deserved congratulations because, long after the weekend, there will still be fishing, strolling and a remarkable river view.