Beaufort County Partners with AccessNow to Promote Passive Park Accessibility

Beaufort County This Week

STORY 1

From the Island News

Beaufort County has partnered with AccessNow, to complete a pilot project enhancing accessibility awareness at Beaufort County’s Passive Parks. This is the first project of its kind in South Carolina, focusing on informing the public about accessibility on three popular passive parks: Widgeon Point, Crystal Lake, and Fort Fremont.

AccessNow’s mission is to establish a go-to resource for accessibility information. Their platform empowers people to discover a world of accessible opportunities, make better decisions, and remove barriers.

Project highlights

Three Mapped Trails: This initiative targets Widgeon Point, Crystal Lake, and Fort Fremont, providing decision-making accessibility information about these beautiful, popular parks. Additional trails and parks may be assessed in the future.

Easy Access: The AccessNow mapping project includes important accessibility information including parking and restroom information, as well as any potential navigational hazards. These park accessibility maps can be viewed from the Passive Parks Department properties webpage, or the AccessNow website.

Story 2

From the Island News

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is offering a free summer tax preparation program for qualifying residents of Beaufort and Jasper counties who missed the traditional tax filing deadline.

This program – a collaboration between the IRS, Beaufort County Human Services Alliance, and United Way of the Lowcountry (UWLC) – is designed to assist low-income individuals and families, non-English speaking taxpayers, people with disabilities, and seniors (age 60+) in accurately and efficiently filing their federal and state tax returns.

“We understand that filing taxes can be overwhelming, especially for those who have limited resources,” United Way Volunteer and VITA Program Coordinator Sherry Halphen said. “Our summer tax preparation program allows residents to receive free assistance from IRS-certified volunteers, ensuring they receive every deduction and credit they deserve.”

Story 3

The S.C. Department of Natural Resources is hosting two free fishing clinics: the first will be Saturday, July 27, from 8 until 11 a.m. and the second clinic will be Tuesday, Aug. 13, from 4 until 7 p.m.

Both clinics will be held at
Beaufort’s Broad River Fishing Pier, 1050 Robert Smalls Parkway (map).

The fishing clinics are both
free and open to the public. Participants must pre-register. Only 12
participants will be accepted for each clinic.

Register on event brite to attend the Saturday, July 27 free
fishing clinic or the Tuesday, Aug. 13 free fishing clinic.

STORY 4

From The Island News

All-star baseball teams from throughout the Southeast will make the trek to Beaufort to end their sensational summers later this month, and squads representing Beaufort County are ready to take their best shot at the assembled state champs at the Dixie Boys and Junior Boys World Series from July 26-31 at Burton Wells Recreation Complex.