The Pat Conroy Literary Center approached Brad Hill, Landscape Architect and owner of Beaufort Planning Group, and asked him if he would be interested in working pro bono on a small pocket park attached to the Center. "I absolutely would," was his response. "I have read every one of Pat Conroy's books, some more than once."

 
The park centers around a large Live Oak tree estimated to be around 300 years old. This tree is even more special because local historians have labeled the tree a "Witness Tree." The men pictured standing in front of the tree are the Connecticut 29th Infantry, a black Union volunteer army that came to Beaufort to help fight for the freedom of their brethren.
Brad Hill designed and built the park with the help of the Beaufort Garden Club and Bartlett Tree Company. The design idea was to create a space that would act as a classroom for young and old alike to learn about Beaufort's role in the Civil War and about the "Low Country" of South Carolina. While it is unofficial, it has been said that the Emancipation Proclamation was read to the townspeople under the shade of this tree.
"With this Pocket Park, many stories will not be lost in time," according to Marly Rusoff, Director of the Conroy Center.
"We are in the process of building benches to create the outdoor classroom and already have a local elementary 3rd-grade class scheduled for a field trip. The benches are being paid for by donors and are being built by the local Habitat for Humanity group, so it is a win-win all around," according to Mr. Hill.
"I am so glad to be a part of this project. One can only imagine the stories that have been told while sitting under this tree. This tree sits just a block off of the Beaufort River and has seen countless hurricanes in its time...and undoubtedly will see many more. I'm inspired by its resilience, and I can't wait for others, young and old, to experience this little part of Beaufort and a big part of American history."
Brad Hill is a graduate of The Ohio State University, College of Engineering, School of Landscape Architecture. He has served on the Architectural Review Board, the Parks & Trees Committee, and as Chairman of the Zoning Board of Adjustments for the City of Beaufort.