I'On Village Walk, Rookery to Jefferson Bridge

I'On Village Walk-
Rookery to Jefferson Bridge

This section of the Walk takes you through the Rookery Wildlife Refuge, Across Sowell Street to the Bridge over the Jefferson Canal.

Return to previous section of walk, steps 1 - 5, I'Onsborough
Overview Map
Main Page for I'On Village Walk

This section of the trail takes you through the Rookery, home to hundreds of nesting birds (varies with season). This 8 acre wildlife refuge also serves as a connecting walking trail through this part of the community, making a refuge visit part of an ordinary walk around the neighborhood. Please be careful of the alligators. Small children and pets should not go near the water. Keep a lookout and you should be safe along the path.

6.

At the South observation tower (The trail runs under it) you can walk up and look for some of the active wildlife here. Ducks, coots, turtles, alligators, herons and egrets are all commonly seen here. Putting green space in close proximity to inhabited areas promotes connecting with nature as part of everyday life. Passing through natural, residential and commercial areas adds variety and interest to the pedestrian experience. The rookery trail provides a connecting link through the community.

7.

West Rookery Tower along I'On Village Walk Continue down the trail 300 feet (N. W 320º), then bear to the right around the water (N 0º) until you reach the West Observation tower by the water on right, S. This tower has a spiral staircase going up to the observation deck. You may want to go up and look at the pond here as well.

The Second Chance Trees - On the left side of the trail are several small Live Oaks, which can be differentiated from the other trees by the raised earth rings around their bases. These are the "second chance trees." Most streets in I'On are lined with trees planted in the buffer strip between the curb and sidewalk. These trees cool the street, provide shade and give pedestrians a feeling of separation from the traffic. Inevitably some of these trees, which are planted as medium sized trees after a period of in container on site acclimation, shock out, losing their leaves and appear to die. Those which might have some chance of surviving are transplanted a second time into the woods. Several here have survived and help fill this spaces in the green buffer which surrounds this lake.

The alligator (named Levi, short for Leviathan) is most commonly seen from here. Levi is most easily found by looking for the part of the pond ducks are not in and then trying to find a thin trail of clear water through the bright green duckweed covering the top of the water. Levi leaves that trail as he or she moves through the water.

8.

Wetland Bridge, I'On Village, Mt. Pleasant, SC Continue past the 2nd. tower, bearing somewhat to the left (NE 60º) for about 75 feet until you reach the Wetland bridge. This 70 foot bridge takes you across the drainage for the lakes.

Cross the bridge (E 80º) and bear left (N) until you reach LeeAnn Lane. There is a set of gang mailboxes to your left as you emerge from the trail. Grouping mail boxes promote pedestrian activity in the neighborhood. What is the address of the last mailbox on the bottom row on the right side?__________________.

Off to your right, East (you won't be walking that way) is one of I'On's many alleys. This provides space for parking and boat storage. Alleys allow the placement of utilities, driveways and garages off the street.
Persons with dogs that are detouring around the rookery rejoin the trail here.

9.

LeeAnn Lane in I'On Village With your back to the bridge, walk North (10º) on LeeAnn Lane, crossing the intersection with Sowell Street, which is named after the African American social scientist Dr. Thomas Sowell. Cross Sowell Street, walking North until you reach Westlake, crossing Latitude Lane. There is a semicircular section of sidewalk just beyond Latitude Lane. Note the wide sidewalk here, called a promenade because two couples can pass each other in opposite directions.

Westlake is the location of Summer's Pond Polo games which pits teams in Kayaks against each other attempting to score goals with a ball. This video shows what the games are like.

10.

Jefferson Bridge, I'On Walk East (80º) up the gravel path to the wooden bridge over the Jefferson Canal. Cross the bridge, pausing to look around the lake if you wish. Both of the bridges on Westlake were designed as part of a national architectural competition. The Jefferson canal bridge incorporates architectural elements used by amateur architect Thomas Jefferson at Monticello and the University of Virginia. All the land around the lake inside the walkways is a park After crossing the bridge, take the stairs down and to the right to the tow path.

Go on to the Canals and Westlake
Return to main on-line walk guide and page

6.	At the South observation tower (The trail runs under it) you can walk up and look for some of the active wildlife here. Ducks, coots, turtles, alligators, herons and egrets are all commonly seen here. Putting green space in close proximity to inhabited areas promotes connecting with nature as part of everyday life. Passing through natural, residential and commercial areas adds variety and interest to the pedestrian experience. The rookery trail provides a connecting link through the community.
7.	Continue down the trail 300 feet (N. W 320º), then bear to the right around the water (N 0º) until you reach the West Observation tower by the water on right, S. This tower has a spiral staircase going up to the observation deck. You may want to go up and look at the pond here as well. The Second Chance Trees - On the left side of the trail are several small Live Oaks, which can be differentiated from the other trees by the raised earth rings around their bases. These are the "second chance trees." Most streets in I'On are lined with trees planted in the buffer strip between the curb and sidewalk. These trees cool the street, provide shade and give pedestrians a feeling of separation from the traffic. Inevitably some of these trees, which are planted as medium sized trees after a period of in container on site acclimation, shock out, losing their leaves and appear to die. Those which might have some chance of surviving are transplanted a second time into the woods. Several here have survived and help fill this spaces in the green buffer which surrounds this lake. The alligator (named Levi, short for Leviathan) is most commonly seen from here. Levi is most easily found by looking for the part of the pond ducks are not in and then trying to find a thin trail of clear water through the bright green duckweed covering the top of the water. Levi leaves that trail as he or she moves through the water.
8.	Continue past the 2nd. tower, bearing somewhat to the left (NE 60º) for about 75 feet until you reach the Wetland bridge. This 70 foot bridge takes you across the drainage for the lakes. Cross the bridge (E 80º) and bear left (N) until you reach LeeAnn Lane. There is a set of gang mailboxes to your left as you emerge from the trail. Grouping mail boxes promote pedestrian activity in the neighborhood. What is the address of the last mailbox on the bottom row on the right side?__________________. Off to your right, East (you won't be walking that way) is one of I'On's many alleys. This provides space for parking and boat storage. Alleys allow the placement of utilities, driveways and garages off the street. Persons with dogs that are detouring around the rookery rejoin the trail here.
9.	With your back to the bridge, walk North (10º) on LeeAnn Lane, crossing the intersection with Sowell Street, which is named after the African American social scientist Dr. Thomas Sowell. Cross Sowell Street, walking North until you reach Westlake, crossing Latitude Lane. There is a semicircular section of sidewalk just beyond Latitude Lane. Note the wide sidewalk here, called a promenade because two couples can pass each other in opposite directions.
	Westlake is the location of Summer's Pond Polo games which pits teams in Kayaks against each other attempting to score goals with a ball. This video shows what the games are like.
10.	Walk East (80º) up the gravel path to the wooden bridge over the Jefferson Canal. Cross the bridge, pausing to look around the lake if you wish. Both of the bridges on Westlake were designed as part of a national architectural competition. The Jefferson canal bridge incorporates architectural elements used by amateur architect Thomas Jefferson at Monticello and the University of Virginia. All the land around the lake inside the walkways is a park After crossing the bridge, take the stairs down and to the right to the tow path.
Go on to the Canals and Westlake Return to main on-line walk guide and page