A prominent house on a hill sold in York County for $4.3 million. It’ll be open soon
A large and prominent piece of property on S.C. 557 in Lake Wylie won’t, like so much property around it, be developed.
On Tuesday the Bethel Lake Wylie Land Acquisition and Preservation Park District closed on 87 acres across from Oakridge Middle School. The $4.3 million sale will keep the property for conservation.
“I can’t thank the residents of Bethel-Lake Wylie enough for investing in a vision of preserving green spaces for future generations to enjoy,” said York County Councilwoman Allison Love.
The Van Every family, associated with the Lance sandwich cracker company, owned the home on a hill property for decades. It has been vacant for about 10 years.
The site will become green space and opened to the public for hiking, events and festivals. The large home on the site is likely to remain for public use, too.
A five-member land and park district board will determine next steps. The district formed after a 2020 referendum where 68% of residents in Lake Wylie opted for a new tax to buy and conserve land. The vote capped the new tax at $20 per year on $100,000 of property value for owner-occupied homes.
The district received a $1 million award from the South Carolina Conservation Bank toward the project. The site will be known as Woodend Farm, a name it used in prior years as a greenhouse and nursery.
Along with the conservation bank and tax group, other participants in the deal and plans for new open space include Nation Ford Land Trust, York County Forever, state Rep. Gary Simrill and York County Council.
This story was originally published November 17, 2021 at 10:46 AM.
