The Daniel Island Community Fund is working in partnership with the Daniel Island School PTA and the Garden Club of Daniel Island to create an Outdoor Classroom and Community Meeting Space. Located between the Osprey Trail and Daniel Island School’s front driveway, and near the Daniel Island Library, this special project benefits the entire community by providing a beautiful, functional, outdoor space for classes, group or club meetings, small performances, and more.
The plan for the Outdoor Classroom includes brick seat walls and a presentation area, as well as landscape elements that add an educational component by highlighting native and common features from across South Carolina. Features will include a dry creek bed, a wooden bridge, and new plantings. The design has been thoughtfully crafted with additional input from Principal Leigh to consider student safety and will allow for classes to contribute educational components and enhance the space.
What is the Osprey Trail?
The transformation of the previously overgrown wooded area located between Daniel Island School and Daniel Island Drive, now known as the Osprey Trail, began in 2008. Members of the Garden Club of Daniel Island rehabilitated, and now thoughtfully maintain, the trail, with the permission of the Daniel Island Property Owners’ Association. The Osprey Trail has become an educational resource and tranquil retreat for students, residents, and visitors in the Daniel Island community. The trail is divided into a series of garden rooms: a Woodland shade garden, Rose garden, Children’s garden, Pollinator garden, and Japanese garden. It will eventually feature approximately 150 Plantsmap signs with QR codes that link to educational resources. The Outdoor Classroom and Community Meeting Space is a natural extension of this resource.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Initial construction of the Outdoor Classroom is underway with some elements slated for additional phases as sponsorships permit. These opportunities include specific items like the dry river bed, signage and “chalkboard” areas, or individual monetary donations. Sponsors will be recognized on signage within the outdoor classroom area, and as outlined in the PTA Partners in Education program. To be a part of this exciting project please contact PTA Wellness lead Courtenay Fisher at courtenay.fisher@yahoo.com.
