23 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com our town over four categories: conserving natural water resources, protecting ecosystem biodiversity, improving community livability and promoting energy efficiency. The Take Root Program, which began in May 2021 as a community-wide tree planting initiative to encourage residents to actively participate in beautifying the community, expanded in 2023 with a mission to preserve existing canopy and promote new tree canopies. Mount Pleasant Composts, a new initiative to encourage residents to compost, kicked off in May 2023. After registering through the City of Charleston, the town’s partner for this initiative, residents can bring food scraps to compost at three locations around town. ACCOMMODATING CITIZEN NEEDS From September 2022 through April 2023, the town held a series of “Public Input Matters” meetings to encourage dialogue and define the unique challenges and character of the different parts of the town. The information gleaned during this process will help inform the next update to the Town of Mount Pleasant’s 20192029 Comprehensive Plan, slated for 2024. Also in April 2023, the Town of Mount Pleasant was designated the Lowcountry’s first certified Autism Friendly Town by Just Bee, a local nonprofit created to connect neurodivergent families with their communities. In partnership with Just Bee, the town committed to further educating citizens on the signs, symptoms and best practices for accommodating individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Through Just Bee’s educational programs, Mount Pleasant businesses can become autism friendly designated businesses. Once recognized as such, a seal depicting the Just Bee logo is placed in the window to alert neurodivergent community members and families that it is considered a “safe space.” Over the past several years, the town has partnered with WakeUp Carolina, a recovery community organization serving the greater Charleston area. Together with WakeUp Carolina and the local police department, the Town of Mount Pleasant proclaimed Aug. 31 Overdose Awareness Day. The “Light the Way for Hope” event commemorated and honored those who have lost their lives to overdose. In addition, WakeUp Carolina, the Charleston Center and the Mount Pleasant Police Department began holding monthly community overdose prevention and Narcan training at town hall. IMPROVING INFRASTRUCTURE AND TRANSPORTATION After years of strategic planning, preparation and construction, Vaughn Ed Kee Parkway opened to the public on Nov. 1, 2023. The new parkway, connecting Rifle Range Road and N. Highway 17, was named in honor of Mount Pleasant police officer Vaughn Ed Kee, who lost his life in the line of duty in 1985. The completion of Vaughn Ed Kee Parkway and the groundbreaking on Mount Pleasant Way in 2023 represent a significant milestone in the town’s commitment to improving local infrastructure and enhancing transportation networks. Speaking of networks, fire agencies from Mount Pleasant, Charleston, North Charleston, Isle of Palms, St. Andrews Public Service District, James Island Public Service District and St. John’s Fire District are now part of an automatic aid agreement that aims to expand emergency fire services in the area. Launched in 2022 and expanded in 2023 to include the Isle of Palms, the agreement states that the closest appropriate fire unit will respond to an emergency regardless of the municipality or service district. As 2023 comes to a close, construction is almost complete on Carolina Park Recreation Complex Phase III. The project includes four additional fields, two outdoor multipurpose courts and more amenities including additional parking. Moreover, the planned expansion of
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