Beginning Monday, March 4, 2024, Augusta Quarry at Fort Dickerson Park will be closed as Southern Constructors Inc. crews begin a nine-month project to add first-ever restrooms, an expanded overlook, an improved pedestrian path to the water, and new floating beach and swim platforms.

The new amenities – a $3.6 million City investment – are expected to open late this fall.

See more project information including renderings in the Engineering Department’s Capital Improvements Projects file.

Combined with a new $1.77 million entrance and accessibility improvements in Phase I, the investment in Augusta Quarry upgrades totals almost $5.4 million.

“For many years, transformations have been underway to enhance the unique characteristics of this once abandoned industrial property, and the current phase of work will anchor Ft. Dickerson Park as a gem of the Urban Wilderness.” said Wes Soward, the City's Urban Wilderness Coordinator.

"This has truly been a public-private collaboration, with valuable community input, and the end result will be an Augusta Quarry that’s more family-friendly and accessible to more people.”

Soward praised the uniquely tailored plan created by the design team – Sanders Pace Architecture, Port Urbanism, JMT Engineering and the Haines Structural Group – that accentuates the quarry’s rugged natural beauty.

Aslan Foundation, the City’s largest funding partner, provided much of the vision and appreciation for Augusta Quarry’s potential, Soward said. Aslan Foundation funded the design work building on their continued commitment to help create great public spaces.

While the quarry and Augusta Avenue entrance and parking lots will be closed, Soward said the Chapman Highway entrance to Fort Dickerson Park and picnic areas will remain open. The park’s upper trails also will remain open.

Future City investment in Fort Dickerson Park will focus on improving the overlook on the east side and protecting and enhancing access to the historic Civil War earthworks.