Bailiwyck has more than 50 acres of Nature Preserve at the back of our Community. This Committee is charged with maintaining and improving this wonderful resource.

 

Activities planned for this spring include the blazing of trails, the erection of a bridge across Steele Creek, the closing of the access points to vehicular traffic, and the posting of signs at the access points and trail heads. Volunteers are needed with all of these activities. If you would like to help call Peter Thacik (home 802-2338, office 548-5180). Volunteers with 4 wheel drive vehicles are particularly helpful in bringing supplies to work sites.

 

When we get a bridge constructed it will be much easier to access the Nature Preserve. For now, please don't cross private property without permission to reach the Nature Preserve. Here are several ways the area can be accessed. At the end of Cranborne Chase, you can walk down to Steele Creek, follow it to the south until there is a shallow place to wade or jump across the creek. If you don't have boots for wading the creek, keep following the creek south, past Wild-brook Pond, and behind Amberley lot 33 (see map) there is a large sewer pipe that most people can walk across with ease. Again please don't cross private property without permission.
Another way to cross the creek without boots is from the back of the new neighborhood "Melborne at Bailiwyck". There was a bridge on the old water plant road and at last check several pieces of concrete are still in place. It is only a 2 or 3 foot jump.

You can also park at the SC Welcome Center and walk down the power lines into the Nature Preserve.

 

The sewer line work left the Nature Preserve with a collection of passable trails. In hunting season, several vehicles cruised through the area, but this is not recommended, as Duke energy has posted "No Trespassing". The best thing to see if you walk the Nature Preserve is the large Oak shown in the picture. It is actually a Red and a White Oak grown together. Check out the giant IluscadineMuscadine vine growing onit. As it is very old and could be a record, please be careful not to cause it harm. On the attached map are some of the best samples of eighteen of our indigenous trees. If you are interested in bird sounds, the best place I've found is in the woods near the Red/White Oak.