BEAUFORT, S.C. () — A little less than two weeks before the 2025 Beaufort Waterfest, the city has announced part of Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park will be temporarily closed.

The closed section of the park is approximately 40-feet wide. The closure happens Monday, June 30. The primary target is the water’s edge side of the park that rests on the park’s relieving platform.

This decision was made following a structural analysis of the park. It identified significant deterioration and overstressed piles within the platform structure.

City Manager Scott Marshall said, “We would prefer not to limit access to such a significant portion of the park. However, public safety is paramount and we felt like our decisions should be driven by safety of life as a primary consideration.” 

In addition to closing the waterside portion of the park, the day dock and playground will also be inaccessible until further notice. 

Signage and barriers will be installed to clearly mark the areas of the park that are off limits to the public. Areas marked as “no trespassing” will be strictly enforced. 

Anyone with questions can contact the City’s Public Information Office at 843-941-0997.