Charleston Harbor 1 (Melton Peter Demetre Park)

Melton Peter Demetre Park, or Sunrise Park to the locals, is a beautiful beachfront park on James Island. The park was named after its owner, Melton Demetre, who donated the land to the city in 2007. The park is open from dawn-8:30PM, and has a small free parking lot available to guests. Dogs are welcome, although they must on a leash. Dog waste bags are at the entrance to the park. There are two small beaches within the park, but only one is ADA accessible. The park also has a pier leading to a floating dock, which is a popular place to kayak and fish. Fishing licenses are required, however. The pier and dock are both ADA accessible. There are also benches, trash cans, and picnic tables throughout the park. Restrooms are located at the entrance, and a shelter is available in case of inclement weather. Alcohol/drugs, metal detectors, littering, swimming, failing to remove animal waste, and parking or driving on the grass are all prohibited. Be on the lookout for brown pelicans and laughing gulls flying overhead, dolphins out in the harbor, and shark teeth along the beach! The park has some of the best views of the Battery, the Ravenel Bridge, Patriots Point, Mount Pleasant, Sullivan's Island, and Fort Johnson!