Park Master Plan

The Jaeger Company assisted the Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission in the creation of a Master Plan to govern development for the Caw Caw Interpretive Center, formerly known as Tea Farm Regional Park. The firm was also chosen to provide Construction Documents for this project and served as the prime consultant for construction of the $3 million development program of the $5 million Master Plan.

The 650-acre site includes functional impoundments for rice cultivation and a small section used in the early 20th Century for tea cultivation. In addition to the wealth of cultural resources, Caw Caw is rich in natural elements. Four distinct plant communities have been identified, as well as 271 species, one-seventh the total found within the entire coastal plain.

Caw Caw Swamp is a passive recreation facility emphasizing educational opportunities for interpretation of the region's cultural heritage and natural history. The Jaeger Company served as Landscape Architects and Historic Preservation Planners and directed a multi-disciplinary team which also included impoundment specialists, naturalists, botanists, environmental analysts.

An important component of this trails plan was the analysis of potential trail surfaces, including wood chips, shredded bark, pine straw, crushed rock, blacktop/concrete, pavers, soil/cement and wooden boardwalks. Hard surfaces that were also pervious were used for both their accessibility and ecological characteristics.

The trail system includes a boardwalk system in close proximity to the Interpretive Center. With overlooks, the trail system allows visitors access to the center of the rice impoundments.

TJC served as the prime consultant in Phase One Construction of the Caw Caw Interpretative Center. Rice impoundments within the site are interpreted as both a wildlife preserve and a historic site, recognizing the important role the rice industry played in the history of South Carolina.

The $3 million building program included the following elements: (1) Entrance Area with gatehouse and associated parking and landscape; (2) maintenance Area with support structures; (3) 3000 sf Exhibit Building with interpretive displays, a gift shop, and office space; (4) 2800 sf Classroom Building with laboratory space and a screened porch for presentations; (5) Interior and Exterior Exhibits; (6) Infrastructure for the park, including the road system and utilities; and (7) Trail system.