DI News History - October 12, 2017

TEN YEARS AGO – Plans for a DI dog park continue

The October 11, 2007 issue of The Daniel Island News featured an article about Park Day. What began in 2001 as a way to showcase the many elements of the Daniel Island community – picturesque parks, charming neighborhoods and the island’s old-fashioned, almost Mayberry-like small town appeal - has become so much more.

“It’s a wonderful event,” said Lynn Cobb, an island resident who has witnessed Park Day’s evolution over the years. “I wouldn’t miss it!” Mark your calendars now for this year’s Park Day, set to take place on Nov. 18!

In other news, discussions of a new dog park were on the table in 2007. Jimmy Bailey, former vice president of community services for the Daniel Island Property Owners Association, said, referring to a property owners survey, that “…adding a dog park was the second-most requested upgrade to the Daniel Island Park system” at the time.

A developer-led attempt to install a dog park in Barfield Park fell through after nearby residents opposed the plan.

Daniel Island Company spokesperson Julie Dombrowski explained, “The addition of a dog park to the island’s amenities is something many residents have expressed interest in, and in fact we had plans for one in Barfield Park about a year and a half ago. However, due to resident opposition, the plans were abandoned.”

In 2007, the city’s schedule for construction of Governors Park, to be located in the fields adjacent to Seven Farms Drive between the entrance to Daniel Island Park and the Family Circle Tennis Center facility, would be at least a year away. Plans at the time called for a new dog park to be included on the site. Fast forward to today, both the dog park and Governors Park are big assets to the island.

FIVE YEARS AGO – New golf cart and LSV law goes into effect

In the October 11, 2012 issue of The Daniel Island news, the feature article was about golf cart and Low Speed Vehicle (LSV) rules and safety. Beginning on Oct. 1, 2012, golf carts and other LSVs could travel up to four miles, rather than the previous radius of two miles, from a registered residence. The amendment was sponsored by South Carolina Rep. Bill Herbkersman of Bluffton, and ratified by former Governor Nikki Haley in May of that year. Herbkersman’s motivation for the bill? To give greater mobility to the residents of Sun City Hilton Head, in his jurisdiction. Sun City Hilton Head is an adult community where residents depend on golf carts to get around and have access to restaurants and shopping just outside the gates. Many of the residents live more than two miles from the gates of the community, and, at the time, expressed their frustrations about the limited travel rule. Said Herbkersman in the article, “the new law helps residents enjoy the use of golf carts and extends owners’ insurance policies. In short, golf carts are a much safer way for them to get around than regular auto vehicles.”

Tips for golf cart safety were also given and still apply today:

-Drive at a reasonable speed, consider the weather and terrain.

-Brake slowly, especially on downhill (driveway) slopes.

-Avoid sharp turns at high speeds.

-Passengers should put both feet firmly on the golf cart’s floor, keeping their arms and legs inside the cart at all times.

-Do not let kids younger than age 6 ride in golf carts.

-Do not allow children younger than 16-years-old to drive golf carts.

-Never, ever drink alcohol while driving a golf cart.