Town of Mount Pleasant Breaks Ground on Gary Santos Park

MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. – The Town of Mount Pleasant officially broke ground Tuesday morning on the future Gary Santos Park, marking the start of construction on a major new recreation destination that will serve residents for generations to come.

Centrally located toward the middle of Mount Pleasant and nestled along Rifle Range Road and Vaughn Ed Kee Parkway, the park will connect directly to Mount Pleasant Way and transform the site into a vibrant community space focused on recreation, wellness, and gathering.

The project is being constructed by Choate Construction Company, with Liollio Architecture serving as the project designer. Together with the Town of Mount Pleasant, the team will deliver a thoughtfully designed recreational facility that expands access to high quality athletic spaces and community amenities.

“We are deeply honored to be building this space for the Town of the Mount Pleasant alongside Liollio Architecture,” said Tim McIntosh, Division Manager for Choate Construction in Charleston. “As a resident of Mount Pleasant myself, it’s exciting to be a part of developing our community with this recreational facility and increasing access to quality spaces for our neighbors to come and enjoy.”

The park is named in honor of former Mount Pleasant Town Councilmember Gary Santos, whose time in public service was defined by his deep commitment to youth athletics, recreation, and creating opportunities for future generations.

“Gary Santos believed deeply in the power of recreation to bring families and communities together,” said Mount Pleasant Councilmember Jake Rambo. “Naming this park in his honor recognizes not only his years of service to our Town, but also his vision for creating spaces where young people can grow, compete, and build lifelong memories. Gary was a tireless advocate for expanding recreational opportunities in Mount Pleasant, and it is incredibly fitting that this park will carry his name for generations to come.”

When completed, Gary Santos Park will feature a wide variety of recreational opportunities designed to serve residents of all ages and interests.

The park will include a two court gymnasium with program rooms dedicated to music, art, dance, and camp activities, along with three and a half lighted rectangular athletic fields, tennis courts, pickleball courts, picnic pavilions, a playground, maintenance facilities, and existing and newly installed trails that connect the park to the broader Mount Pleasant Way trail system.