Dataw to Acquire Oak Island: Anonymous Donors “Gift” Oak Island to the Dataw Island Owners Association

The Dataw Island Owners Association Board of Directors is pleased to announce the pending acquisition of Oak Island. Currently held by The Nature Conservancy, the nearly 33-acre parcel is being purchased by property owners who formed an anonymous LLC (Oak Island Preservation LLC) and it will be gifted to the DIOA in a simultaneous closing soon, with transfer to the DIOA.

Accessible via Dataw Island, Oak Island is undeveloped and features a 700+ foot dock and walking trails. The deed will significantly limit development or projects on Oak Island, and in the spirit of the deed restrictions, the DIOA is considering potential improvements to the space for passive recreation. Possibilities include an interpretive trail, a primitive nature center for education, and a fenced-in area as a dog enclosure. The DIOA intends to perform basic maintenance, like knocking down the weeds on the walking paths and maintaining the pier, but will keep Oak Island natural. The property taxes will be reduced, as it is will be recorded as common property of the DIOA.

Once the Nature Conservancy completes the necessary documentation, the property will be ready to be closed and transferred to the DIOA. A tremendous amount of work has gone into bringing this transfer to fruition. The DIOA Board voted to accept this generous offer and is considering how best to use the space in the spirit of the deed – which is to say, for passive recreation.

Thanks to the generosity of some Dataw Island residents, who wish to remain anonymous, Oak Island will soon be owned by Dataw Island and will be protected from development in perpetuity.

Dataw Island General Manager Ted Bartlett says, “The donors have deep roots and a great love for Dataw Island. They want to assure that current residents, as well as future Dataw residents, can enjoy this natural area now and for years to come. We all should be very appreciative of this selfless and generous act.”

The donors look forward to Oak Island remaining as open space for the enjoyment of our residents and their pets.