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Helping Seniors Make Better-Informed Medicare Decisions
Trying to pick a health insurance plan can be a chore for anyone. For many people, just mentioning the word "open enrollment" sends shivers down the spine. It seems like there's always a nagging feeling that you're wasting money, choosing a plan with poor in-network care, or both. One would think that health insurance gets easier as you approach retirement age, but the truth is that picking an initial Medicare coverage plan can be daunting.
Unfortunately, the confusing process of signing up for Medicare causes many seniors to forego healthcare coverage altogether. After all, Medicare enrollment can involve several federal agencies, including the Social Security Administration (or SSA) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (or CMS).
At Senior Medicare Insurance Services, our passion is guiding seniors through the confusion of Medicare. That way, they can enjoy retirement with peace of mind knowing they are protected and ready for life after 65. We work with dozens of insurance companies, giving our clients the chance to choose a plan that best fits their lifestyle.
We choose to design our senior insurance plans with a focus on optimal benefits structure, lower costs, and personalized service. Some independent insurance agencies see their aging customers as nothing more than a financial transaction waiting to happen. In contrast, we treat each of our clients with respect and dignity as we help them navigate the confusing waters of Medicare. Combined with individualized service, we help older Americans make well-informed decisions about insurance. Whether you're in need of senior Medicare Supplement Plan insurance in Mount Pleasant or simply have questions about signing up for Medicare, our team is here to help.
Service Areas
What is Medicare?
If you're approaching the golden years of your life, it's important you understand what Medicare is if you don't already.
Medicare is a federal health insurance program reserved for people older than 65 who have worked full-time for at least ten years. The Medicare program is paid for by a combination of worker payroll tax, premiums paid by Medicare enrollees, and the U.S. government.
There are four parts of Medicare:
This type of Medicare is free for most U.S. citizens. Medicare Part A helps older adults pay for care in a nursing facility, hospital visits, and some forms of in-home senior care.
This tier costs around $100 per month. It covers different outpatient services like lab tests, preventative care, doctor's visits, mental health care, clinical trials, and some forms of surgery.
This type of Medicare is most often called Medicare Advantage. This tier of Medicare allows seniors to choose health plans provided by insurance companies like Senior Medicare Insurance Services. Individuals who use Medicare Advantage commonly use Medicare supplement plan insurance to help pay for health care costs that Original Medicare won't cover, like coinsurance, deductibles, and copayments.
Sometimes called "PDPs," these plans add drug coverage to standard Medicare, some Medicare Private Fee-for-Service Plans (PFFS), some Medicare Cost Plans, and Medicare Medical Savings Account Plans (MSA).
The amount of money you pay for your health care depends on several factors, including:
- What kind of care you need, and how often it is needed.
- The type of Medicare coverage you choose.
- Whether there are alternative insurance policies that will help fill gaps in your coverage
- Whether a doctor agrees to charge you the same amount that Medicare will cover for a medical service
At Senior Medicare Insurance Services, we offer a number of health insurance solutions for seniors. Two of our most used services include Medicare Advantage plan insurance and Medicare supplement plan insurance.
Senior Medicare Supplement Plan Insurance in Mount Pleasant
Sometimes called Medigap, the purpose of Medicare Supplement Insurance is to help fill in "gaps" that might not be covered by Original Medicare. You can think of a Medigap policy as a supplement for your Original Medicare benefits.
Private companies like Senior Medicare Insurance Services sell this type of insurance right here in South Carolina. While Original Medicare will pay for much of the cost associated with health care services you need, it may not cover all of your expenses. Generally, Medigap policies do not cover costs stemming from eyeglasses, private-duty nurses, dental care, hearing aids, or long-term care.
Depending on the Medicare Supplement Plan that you choose, it may cover out-of-the-country medical services when you travel abroad. Assuming you have Original Medicare coverage, your policy will cover its share of Medicare-approved health care costs. Once your Original Medicare coverage reaches its limit, your Medigap policy will pay its share of the fees.
Our Medigap policies are drafted to meet your specific needs, and can help cover remaining health care costs such as:
Deductibles
Copayments
Coinsurance
Important Information About Senior Supplement Plan Insurance
To dispel some confusion, you should know that a Medigap policy is not the same as a Medicare Advantage Plan. The latter helps you receive Medicare benefits, while the former supplements the benefits you obtain through your Original Medicare plan. As you begin to explore Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans, keep the following important information in mind:
As you begin to explore Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans, keep the following important information in mind:
- To qualify for a Medigap policy, you must first have Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B.
- Payments on your Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan will be made to the private insurance company that you choose, like Senior Medicare Insurance Services. These payments are made every month and are paid in addition to the monthly payment you make for Medicare Part B.
- If you are the holder of a Medicare Advantage Plan, it is illegal for an insurance company to sell you a senior Medicare Supplement Policy. If you plan on switching back to an Original Medicare plan, you may be able to purchase a Medigap policy.
- If you have health problems as you age, your standardized Medigap policy is guaranteed to be renewable. So long as you pay your monthly premium, your insurance provider cannot cancel your policy.
- Medigap policies only cover one person. If you have a spouse or family member that would like coverage, they must purchase a separate policy.
- You may only buy a Senior Medicare Supplement Plan from an insurance agent that is licensed to sell them in your state. Senior Medicare Insurance Services has been licensed to sell Medigap policies in South Carolina for years. We have helped countless seniors get the Medicare coverage they need and continue to do so to this day.
- In the past, Medigap policies were able to cover costs related to prescription drugs. As of January 1st, 2006, prescription drug coverage is not available on Medicare Supplement Plans. The best way to get coverage for your prescription drugs is to join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan, often called Part D. Contact our office today to learn more about paying premiums on Medigap and Medicare plans.
For many people, the best time to buy senior Medicare Supplement Plan Insurance in Mount Pleasant is during the 7 months Medigap Open Enrollment Period. This period starts the day you turn 65 years old, so long as you hold Medical Insurance (Medicare Part B). Generally, during the enrollment period, you get more policy choices and better pricing. Once the enrollment period is over, you may not be able to purchase a Medigap policy. Contact Senior Medicare Insurance Services today to determine if you qualify for a Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan.
Senior Medicare Advantage Plan Insurance in Mount Pleasant, SC
A Medicare Advantage Plan is a kind of Medicare health coverage designed to provide seniors with all their Part A and Part B Medicare benefits. Many Medicare Advantage Plans will often include coverage of the following:
- Preferred Provider Organizations
- Special Needs Plans
- Private Fee-for-Service
- Medicare Medical Savings Account Plans
- Health Maintenance Organizations
In addition, most Medicare Advantage Plans give seniors coverage for their prescription drug needs. When you enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan through Senior Medicare Insurance Services, your Medicare benefits are covered through your plan and will not be paid for by traditional Medicare.
How Medicare Advantage Plans Work
Sometimes called "MA Plans" or "Part C," Medicare Advantage Plans are considered an "all in one" solution to Original Medicare. Senior Medicare Advantage Plans are only offered by private companies that are approved, like Senior Medicare Insurance Services. Seniors who enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan are still on Medicare. However, these individuals enjoy bundled plans that give seniors the benefits of hospital insurance (Medicare Part A), medical insurance (Medicare Part B), and sometimes drug coverage (Part D).
Medicare Advantage Plans are very popular because they cover all Medicare services and make life a little easier for seniors who have trouble understanding the nuances of Medicare.
When you contact Senior Medicare Insurance Services to choose your Medicare Advantage Plan, ask your agent about Medicare prescription drug coverage. Unless you already have drug coverage (Part D), you should seriously consider Part D coverage to help reduce costs associated with prescription drugs. You may also want to consider a Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan to help fill gaps in coverage that Original Medicare will not cover.
Medicare Advantage Plan Insurance Rules
Medicare works by paying a set amount of money to the companies that offer senior Medicare Advantage Plan insurance in Mount Pleasant. That money is used to pay for the care services that you need. Because Medicare Advantage Plans are different, you should expect out-of-pocket costs to vary depending on the plan you choose.
Different plans have different rules for how you receive services, such as:
If you must go to facilities, suppliers, or doctors that belong to your Advantage Plan for non-urgent and non-emergency care.-
Whether you must get a referral to see a specialized doctor
Companies that offer Medicare Advantage Plans must follow strict rules, which are set by Medicare and can change every year.
Paying for Your Senior Medicare Advantage Plan Insurance
How much you pay for your Medicare Advantage Plan varies and depends on a few different factors. In most cases, if you need a kind of medical service, you will need to rely on the doctors and providers in your plan's service area and network to pay the lowest amounts. In some cases, if you choose to use a service outside of your plan's network of coverage, you may have to pay out-of-pocket.
We encourage you to contact our office today to learn more about Medicare Advantage Plans, how they work, what your options are, and how often you will have to pay out-of-pocket, if at all.
The Senior Medicare Insurance Services Commitment
Since our company was founded, we have led the insurance industry by providing our clients with the most valuable, helpful insurance solutions available. We are fully committed to our current and prospective clients by:
Choosing to focus on personalized, one-on-one service. When you work with our team, know that we will always design your health insurance plan with your best interests in mind.-
Listening to your specific needs. -
Responding to all inquiries and questions promptly and with a friendly attitude. -
Providing you with the best customer service in the senior health insurance industry, whether you have questions or are ready to move forward with a Medicare plan.
Our mission is to help give seniors the best Medicare assistance available so that they may understand the Medicare process and make an informed health coverage decision. We have the knowledge, skills, and experience to assist anyone interested in Medicare. Our personal goal is to become a lifetime resource for our clients and give them greater confidence in choosing their insurance plans.
Latest News in Mount Pleasant, SC
Big Bad Breakfast chain adds 2nd Charleston-area location in Mount Pleasant
Parker Milnerhttps://www.postandcourier.com/food/big-bad-breakfast-mount-pleasant-sc/article_dc12cf82-525e-11ee-a71d-5b7014391faa.html
MOUNT PLEASANT — An Alabama-based breakfast restaurant with a location in downtown Charleston has added a second outpost east of the Cooper River.Big Bad Breakfast is now open at 2664 U.S. Highway 17, taking over the spot vacated by Cabana Burgers & Shakes. The new eatery, which joins the East Side location on the peninsula, is led by operating partner Wayne Baumgardner, a Mooresville, N.C., native.The brand is owned by ...
MOUNT PLEASANT — An Alabama-based breakfast restaurant with a location in downtown Charleston has added a second outpost east of the Cooper River.
Big Bad Breakfast is now open at 2664 U.S. Highway 17, taking over the spot vacated by Cabana Burgers & Shakes. The new eatery, which joins the East Side location on the peninsula, is led by operating partner Wayne Baumgardner, a Mooresville, N.C., native.
The brand is owned by John Currence, a New Orleans native who opened the first Big Bad Breakfast in his adopted hometown of Oxford, Miss., in 2008. Five years later, he partnered with Nick Pihakis of Pihakis Restaurant Group (best known locally for Rodney Scott’s BBQ) to replicate the restaurant across the South. There are now Big Bad Breakfast locations in Alabama, Florida, Kentucky, South Carolina and Tennessee.
Since opening, the Mount Pleasant outpost has received a warm reception from the community, Baumgardner said. The restaurant serves biscuits, grit bowls, omelets, coffee drinks and brunch cocktails during its daily operating hours, 7 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
For more information, visit bigbadbreakfast.com.
Charleston Wine + Food is bringing back beloved Italian restaurant Trattoria Lucca for one night during its annual five-day festival, taking place March 6-10, 2024.
Former FIG chef Jason Stanhope will host a signature dinner at his new restaurant, Lowland, and Ma’am Saab will transport diners to Pakistan with a meal inspired by Pakistani weddings and celebrations. For those interested in getting their hands dirty, Chubby Fish chef James London will teach a cooking class, helping attendees learn how to break down whole fish.
Signature events such as these will likely sell out fast when festival tickets go live at 11 a.m. Oct. 19.
The full 2024 Charleston Wine + Food Festival schedule will be released on Oct. 16 — that means you will have a few days to look through the 100-plus events that will take place at locations across the Lowcountry next spring.
The schedule is broken up into categories, including dinners, brunches, lunches, beverage workshops, classes, bar takeovers and excursions.
Excursions take participants out in the fields or on the water before concluding with a collaborative meal. One, called “Rooted: Indigenous Foodways,” will be led by Indigenous foods instructor and chef Dave Smoke McCluskey. Another will take place on Johns Island at Joseph Fields Farm.
Several popular signature events will return in 2024, including Shucked, Street Eats and Opening Night at College of Charleston’s Cistern Yard, historically the largest representation of local Charleston-area chefs. The festival’s finale will be held at Brittlebank Park on March 10.
Bar takeovers, new to the 2022 festival, will return for a second year. At $75, these events — which pair an out-of-town bartender or drinks expert with someone local — are one of the cheapest tickets on the schedule. Each bar takeover ticket comes with three drinks and light bites.
Charleston’s new indoor sports, restaurant venue ready to open
Warren L. Wise [email protected]https://www.postandcourier.com/business/real_estate/charleston-mix-new-homes-inn-rebranded-restaurant-retail-center/article_baf195f6-5afe-11ee-9e09-330c6204a708.html
You’re seeing The Post and Courier’s weekly real estate newsletter. Receive all the latest transactions and top development, building, and home and commercial sales news to your inbox each Saturday here.A ...
You’re seeing The Post and Courier’s weekly real estate newsletter. Receive all the latest transactions and top development, building, and home and commercial sales news to your inbox each Saturday here.
A new entertainment site and sports bar opens next week in Mount Pleasant.
Mix at 730 Coleman Blvd., which originally was set to open earlier in the summer but encountered material and staffing delays, will open Oct. 16, according to owner David Breen.
The opening comes after the recent launch of another indoor sports entertainment site in the town’s northern sector.
Crush Yard opened in late September at 3365 S. Morgans Point Road in the former Palmetto State Armory location. It offers pickleball and a restaurant.
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Also, new townhomes starting at $2 million are coming to the Lowcountry.
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11: Number of new upscale townhomes coming to a mixed-use development in the Lowcountry.
5.44: Millions of dollars paid for a multifamily community in North Charleston that sold for $3.5 million 18 months ago.
+ Slower sales: Charleston-area home sales slipped again in September for the 25th consecutive month.
+ Food line: A new supermarket with international flare joins the lineup of several grocery chains serving the Charleston area.
+ New lease: Another new restaurant recently signed on to join several others coming to an expanding shopping center in the Charleston region.
Longtime Charleston inn tied to Netflex series to be rebranded after $5M purchase, upgrade
Jack Davis, a principal owner of the rebranded Charleston Creekside Inn in West Ashley, talks about the changes made to the lodging over the past year, including a new cabana and floating dock as well as new furnishings, paint and other alterations to the 31-year-old motel previously known as Creekside Lands Inn.
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Less than a mile apart, two nine-room bed-and-breakfast-style inns are joining the peninsula’s crowded lodging lineup.
The Ashley is the first of the two projects the Charleston-based Trouvaille Collection has in the works. The name of the firm is French for “lucky find,” which is how CEO Josh Hatter and his partners hope their properties will be perceived in the ultra-competitive market.
Their three-story B&B at Bee Street and Ashley Avenue kept its familiar pink façade and double balcony, but the interior was remodeled in a cost of about $800,000.
The Ashley has been in a soft-opening phase since its unveiling earlier this year, when the makeover was completed. Since then, the occupancy rate has hovered around 70 percent, with the weekend of Oct. 13 entirely booked.
The Ashley, built in 1852, was purchased by a Trouvaille affiliate for more than $3.7 million last year. The property had previously sold five times over the last several decades, with prices ranging from $155,000 in 1989 to $2.1 million in 2019, according to county property records.
Its future sister B&B, farther south at 126 Wentworth St., is expected to come online in December as The Nicholas.
Hatter described the two properties as “boutique, historic and elevated.”
Between them, Trouvaille estimated it has invested more than $9 million in real estate acquisition costs and remodeling expenses.
The renovation projects took structures built in the late 1700s and mid-1800s down to the studs and updated them for 21st century guest stays, with modern-day utilities, amenities and aesthetics.
Formerly operated as the 1837 Bed & Breakfast, The Nicholas changed hands in December for $3.4 million. The units in the structure between Pitt and Coming streets were converted from apartments in 2000, but they hadn’t undergone a major overhaul since, said Hatter, whose group spent more than $1 million in upgrades.
“I’m a longtime Charlestonian so it’s important to us to take these older properties and bring them into the current times while keeping the history associated with them,” he said. “You’ll see the old chandeliers, crown molding and pocket doors. The old cistern under The Ashley was converted into a living room for one of our guest rooms. What’s old can be made new.”
When the 201 Ashley Ave. property was listed, it appeared as a normal resale transaction. Hatter said when he and his partners discovered it had a B&B permit tied to it, they decided to restore it and bring that use back to life.
“When people think of traditional B&B’s they think of the retired couple running it themselves,” he said. “We want the guest to feel that same charm and connection with our staff in how we personalize their stay.”
While The Ashley’s daily rate fluctuates, Hatter said on average it has been around $300.
“We live in Charleston so we want to invest in the city we love,” Hatter said. “We are not a big institutional company or investor trying to come in and maximize the number of keys. That’s not who we are and not who we want to be.”
Charleston is driven by hospitality and filled with various lodging options — from national hotel flags and small boutique properties to short-term vacation rentals. Hatter said B&Bs fall in a sweet spot somewhere in between.
“We effectively combine the best of each category: the convenience of Airbnb, the size and personal touches of a traditional bed and breakfast and the amenities expected of a boutique hotel,” he said.
City records show about 30 bed-and-breakfast permits have been issued across Charleston, but not all of them are in use. Explore Charleston spokesman Chris Campbell said that’s not necessarily a sign that the business model has seen better days,
“There has consistently been an audience for B&Bs, especially in a market like ours,” he said. “Diversity in lodging types is a key component of a strong tourism economy, and it’s one of our destination’s top attributes.”
Hatter said operating The Ashley over the last seven months has inspired he and his partners at Trouvaille to take on a new business goal: to acquire 1,000 B&B keys across the Southeast in the next decade. They’re already eyeing properties in North Carolina and other neighboring states.
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Fresh start for retail space as supermarket chain to enter Charleston market
Warren L. Wise [email protected]https://www.postandcourier.com/business/real_estate/fresh-market-mount-pleasant-sc/article_54c69a58-5d81-11ee-9a83-7ba15ab76de8.html
MOUNT PLEASANT — A North Carolina-based supermarket chain plans to enter the Charleston market, stepping in after another grocery store’s plans fell through.The Fresh Market has taken over the lease from discount grocer Lidl for a space in Bowman Place ...
MOUNT PLEASANT — A North Carolina-based supermarket chain plans to enter the Charleston market, stepping in after another grocery store’s plans fell through.
The Fresh Market has taken over the lease from discount grocer Lidl for a space in Bowman Place Shopping Center, according to a document filed Sept. 27 in the Charleston County land records office.
A spokeswoman for the Greensboro-based specialty grocer said the company “did not have anything to share at this time” on its open schedule.
Peter Stone of Mount Pleasant’s planning department said Fresh Market has not presented construction plans to the town, which usually considers building and facade alterations as well as signage through the Commercial Design Review Board.
German company Lidl, with its U.S. headquarters in Arlington, Va., had planned to move into a 26,000-square-foot space in the Dick’s Sporting Goods-anchored retail center near Bowman Road and Johnnie Dodds Boulevard.
Work came to a halt more than a year ago.
A Lidl representative did not respond for comment.
The Fresh Market now has the remainder of the 15-year tenant agreement Lidl signed three years ago next month. The lease also included an option for 15 more years.
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The site originally held a 20,000-square-foot kitchen store, but it closed in early 2020. Lidl wanted a larger space, so it added 6,000 square feet and a loading dock in the rear of the building.
The Fresh Market has nine stores in South Carolina. Its closest location to Charleston is about 70 miles up the coast at Pawleys Island.
The chain offers an upscale assortment of fresh produce, meat and seafood along with a deli, bakery, prepared foods and fresh-cut flowers. The store also has beer, wine, coffee and bulk nuts along with various other items.
In 2017, Fresh Market first eyed the state’s fourth-largest municipality and its 95,000 residents who have a median household income of more than $106,000, according to U.S. Census figures.
Publix eventually brought one of its small-format specialty grocery stores called GreenWise Market to the 21,535-square-foot space in Indigo Square Shopping Center off U.S. Highway 17, where Fresh Market was looking.
GreenWise Market, near Mount Pleasant Towne Centre, closed in 2020 about 16 months after it opened. It’s now the site of outdoor gear retailer REI Co-op.
Another specialty grocer also made a run in Mount Pleasant. North Carolina-based Southern Season shuttered its store off Coleman Boulevard in 2016, less than three years after it opened. It’s now the home of Gold’s Gym.
Last year, South American retailer Cencosud acquired a 67 percent stake in The Fresh Market. Existing grocery store shareholders retained a minority equity interest in the company.
The Fresh Market, with 159 stores in 22 states, was founded in 1982. The size of its stores average about 21,000 square feet.
The Bowman Place location is near a 4-mile stretch of Johnnie Dodds Boulevard between the Ravenel Bridge and Interstate 526 that’s teeming with supermarkets. They include Harris Teeter, Whole Foods, Publix, Traders Joe’s, Aldi and Walmart.
Lidl has a dozen stores in South Carolina, with two in the Charleston area in Goose Creek and North Charleston.
The Mustard Seed in Mount Pleasant announces its closing
Stephanie Moorehttps://www.wyff4.com/article/the-mustard-seed-mount-pleasant-closing/45188557
MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. —A popular restaurant in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, has announced its closing.The Mustard Seed has been in business for more than 28 years.(Video above: Morning headlines from WYFF News 4)The owner, Sal Parco, posted Sunday on Facebook that he will retire and the restaurant will close and be taken over by a new group.Read his full message below:"It’s with a heavy heart ...
MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. —
A popular restaurant in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, has announced its closing.
The Mustard Seed has been in business for more than 28 years.
(Video above: Morning headlines from WYFF News 4)
The owner, Sal Parco, posted Sunday on Facebook that he will retire and the restaurant will close and be taken over by a new group.
Read his full message below:
"It’s with a heavy heart and mixed emotions, I am writing to formally announce my retirement and the closing of the Mustard Seed. Please visit me as this will be my final week and it is my hope to see as many of you as possible. I opened the original Mustard Seed over 28 yrs ago, and it’s been quite a journey. Along the way I’ve had the privilege to serve the greater Mt Pleasant community, even opening up additional restaurant concepts that were frequented by my cherished customers. It has been my great honor to be a part of the restaurant community and I’ll never be able to express my appreciation toward the many customers that I now consider to be my family. I am forever grateful to have been welcomed in with such open arms and my gratitude toward you is immense. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed coming to work everyday, meeting, greeting and serving the most wonderful group of loyal customers. You have been my family for almost 30 years and I will miss each and every one of you. But it is time to pass on the baton…
"To my Mustard Seed team, thank you for your commitment and your loyalty. You have made this feel more like a passion project as opposed to work. A special thanks to my dedicated leaders that always stepped up even through the many challenges we’ve faced throughout the years. I never questioned your integrity as you added to the successes we achieved. But after much thought and careful consideration, I realize that it’s time to slow down as I’m not a youngster anymore and all good things must come to an end. I want to thank everyone for the experiences and opportunities I have been able to enjoy. The fond memories of our times together will follow me into my retirement and any future endeavors.
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"Until then, I am fully committed to assisting in the transition of the new group taking over… I know this wonderful community will embrace them just as you did me 28+ years ago. You allowed me to live out my dreams and achieve opportunities that I couldn’t even imagine were possible. I love each and everyone of you! All the best,Sal Parco"
Mount Pleasant community fights proposed dog park
Emily Johnsonhttps://www.live5news.com/2023/09/27/mount-pleasant-community-fights-proposed-dog-park/
MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. (WCSC) - A historic Mount Pleasant park was possibly going to be a dog park before nearby community members banded together against the development.Now, the development has been put on hold and nearby residents are celebrating the victory.At Edwards Park in historic Mount Pleasant, the park has been here since 1837, that’s why the proposed development brought together the community to maintain its historical significance.“I heard about the dog park that the town was proposing an idea to d...
MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. (WCSC) - A historic Mount Pleasant park was possibly going to be a dog park before nearby community members banded together against the development.
Now, the development has been put on hold and nearby residents are celebrating the victory.
At Edwards Park in historic Mount Pleasant, the park has been here since 1837, that’s why the proposed development brought together the community to maintain its historical significance.
“I heard about the dog park that the town was proposing an idea to divide and fence half of the park, and the community spoke out and said we don’t want this, and the town council responded,” Sarah Mitchell who lives near Edwards Park says. “And as I know, it is off the table for now. So, which is wonderful, but in the future, we’d like to do a historical designation of the park.”
Turning Edwards Park into a dog park was an idea shared with the community a few weeks ago, but the town decided to stop pursuing the project after over 700 Mount Pleasant residents signed a petition against it.
Eric LaFontanie with Mount Pleasant said after hearing feedback and considerations from the community, the town will not be pursuing this Edwards Park concept at the moment.
The park currently sits in the middle of a neighborhood with homes surrounding it on all sides with homeowners concerned about the potential impact on traffic and noise it would have on residents.
“It’s important just for traffic, noise, and other reasons, that we don’t ever make it an official dog park. Like I said, folks can use it now as it is: you could still come with your dog, but we also want it open for everyone,” Mitchell says.
Edwards Park is used by many members of the public to picnic, host group gatherings, go for walks, and more, which is why the community wanted it to be open to all.
“When you turn something into a dog park, it really limits it to just one use,” Park Preservation Advocate Daniel Brownstein says. “I mean, nobody’s going to go have a picnic at a dog park, so it just made sense, I think, to keep the status quo and make sure that it’s open to people and dogs and not exclusive to one or the other.”
Turing Edwards Park into a dog park was part of Mount Pleasant’s plan to improve Alhambra Hall, grounds and playground, the other improvements are all still set to begin next summer.
“I think if anything, the park could use a little TLC with its landscaping,” Brownstein adds. “It would also be an ideal spot to build a gazebo, and to really just sort of enhance it into the community gathering spot that it could be.”
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