21/12/2024
The Hitchcock Woods will reopen this weekend! Welcome back to the woods!
Dear Friends of Hitchcock Woods,
Finally, the moment we’ve all been eagerly waiting for is here! Hitchcock Woods will reopen to the public (pedestrians, dogs, and equestrians) at dawn on Saturday, December 21, 2024. On behalf of everyone at the Hitchcock Woods Foundation—trustees and staff alike—we are delighted to invite you back into the Woods.
The Foundation staff and professional contractors have labored hard under dangerous conditions to bring us to this point. There are 2100 acres and 71 miles of trails in the Woods, much of which was significantly damaged by the hurricane.
We know how difficult it has been to be without access to this community treasure—we’ve missed it too—but your safety is, and continues to be, our top priority. Accordingly, Phase 1 of our long-term recovery effort was to remove trees, obstacles, and obvious aerial hazards from the major trails. The completion of this phase allows us to now open the Woods.
Please remember Hitchcock Woods is a hurricane storm-disturbed area, and all visitors must exercise caution. Please do not enter any areas of the Woods that are marked “Closed” or taped off because they are not safe.
Please note: Aiken Hounds will not be hunting on Tuesdays and Saturdays in the Woods before January 7, 2025, so dogs will be welcome on those days as well.
Please report all hazards and the location to the Hitchcock Woods Foundation office at 803-642-0528.
Again, thank you for your patience and steadfast support as we work to restore Hitchcock Woods. Our work is just beginning, so we hope you will continue to support us throughout this long-term effort.
We look forward to seeing you in the Woods soon. Please stay safe and enjoy!
Mary Katherine Philipp MD, Executive Director
Bennett Tucker, Woods Superintendent
