2023-24 Commercial Buyer's Guide inside!
ART COMES TO LIFE IN SOUTH CAROLINA
ALSO INSIDE:
• Doing More with Less
• #HeresWhatsHappening
President
Jessica Campbell
City of Aiken
President Elect
Katherine Jones
Lancaster County
Vice President
Jon Woodsby
Spartanburg County
ELM Branch
Kim Moultrie City of Spartanburg
PRM Branch
Josh Blackstone
Charleston County
Secretary
Megan Young
City of Greenville
Treasurer
Michael Bradley
Charleston County
Past President
Dustin Jordan
City of Myrtle Beach
Central VP
Brian Jones
City of Rock Hill
Programming
Tamika Pollard
City of Grenville
SCAP Branch
Nathan Dawsey
Florence County
Student Branch
Kevin Lynch
City of Rock Hill
Executive Director
James E. Headley jim@scrpa.org
Eastern VP
Ryan Caputo
City of Myrtle Beach
Southern VP
Nicole Murray
City of Goose Creek
Western VP
Daniel Halliman
City of Spartanburg
SC PRT Representative
Matt Elswick
South Carolina
Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism
Membership Services Coordinator
Melissa Williams melissa@scrpa.org
CHAIR
Kristen Guilfoos
Spartanburg County
VICE CHAIR
Alison Cribb
City of Aiken
CENTRAL REPS
Randy Duteau
City of North Augusta
Gretchen Haskett
City of Newberry
Samantha Green
City of Clover
EASTERN REPS
Erin O’Hagan
City of Myrtle Beach
Lauren Wolf
City of Myrtle Beach
Samantha Green
City of Clover
SOUTHERN REPS
Megan Boisvert
City of North Charleston
Pam Zanowski
Dorchester County
South Carolina Recreation & Parks Association
P.O. Box 1046, Lexington, SC 29071
(p) 803-808-7753
www.scrpa.org • info@scrpa.org
To advertise in the magazine, contact Todd Pernsteiner: todd@pernsteiner.com or (952) 841-1111.
With the sweltering heat hopefully behind us, our parks and facilities now turn towards fall programming. We have plenty to celebrate around the state, with the cities of Goose Creek and North Charleston heading the list with the opening of brand new facilities that include large inclusive playgrounds. We also had Colleton and Dorchester Counties collaborate to launch their portable swimming pool project and program that teaches kids in rural areas how to swim. Join us in extending accolades, as these agencies and many others across our state continue to reach the needs of special populations within their communities.
The SCRPA Board adopted its strategic plan for 2023-2028. Our mission statement remained relevant and unchanged: Professional development of our members and advocacy for parks, recreation tourism opportunities for South Carolina.
Certified Playground Safety Inspector Course
October 4-6 • Columbia, SC
21st Annual Golf Tournament
October 19 • Columbia, SC
The five new strategic areas are:
1) Train current professionals in navigating and influencing the political/policy landscape, while training policy makers on the value and relevance of public parks and recreation
2) Deepen the park and recreation partnership and integration within public education
3) Design and implement capacity and continuity plan for association staffing and infrastructure
4) Enhance governance practice and structure
5) Continue to develop and enhance member value in our core work
The plan can be found on our website under the “About Us” tab.
The Board also approved the 2024 & 2025 SCRPA annual conference dates and locations, as our normal schedule was set back because of the pandemic. In 2024, we will head to Myrtle Beach on December 16-18. In 2025,
we will host North Carolina and NCRPA in North Charleston on December 1-3.
Legislatively, SCRPA members received the highest amount in history for special projects in the state budget. Our local park and recreation departments received in excess of $87 million; State Parks received over $55 million and trail projects received over $37 million!
We continue to need your assistance with our SCRPA Annual fundraising golf tournament in Columbia on October 19! Please register teams and submit hole sponsors by visiting our website. We look forward to seeing everyone later this year at Carolinas Recreation & Parks Conference in Wilmington, NC on December 11-13. Among the many happenings that take place during conference, the 2024 SCRPA SC LEAD class will be unveiled to the Association’s members. Hotel and conference registration are both open on our website.
Yours in Parks and Recreation!
- Jessica & Jim
Winter 2023 Deadline: September 30, 2023
Spring 2024 Deadline: January 4, 2024
Summer 2024 Deadline: April 16, 2024
Fall 2023 .......................................... Deadline: June 18, 2023
To advertise, contact Todd Pernsteiner at todd@pernsteiner.com or 952-841-1111.
Here at Booker Washington Heights we really value investing in our youth. Our Teen Retreat Program has been a big success- our local teens want to come back for more each time. Our Teen Retreat Program is a one to two week long camp for at-risk and inner-city youth. The purpose of our camp is for youth to enjoy fellowship with peers, discuss real-life issues that are facing them today, learn new skills, and think and plan for higher education. We strive to give these teens the positive outlook on life that they need through activities like practicing dialogues, song writing, and group games. Each day is filled with fun activities the teens really enjoy!
The spring 2023 Foot Solutions Greenville County Smash Tournament presented by Humana & Pelham Medical Center puts Adaptive Pickleball front and center at this bi-annual, 3-day signature event. The Smash was enjoyed by over 450 participants, including 50 adaptive athletes, hundreds of spectators and over a dozen community partners.
AGENCIES: SUBMIT YOUR UPDATES!
On Saturday, May 13, 2023, 73 seasoned and novice hikers took a guided group hike through one of the City of Aiken Parks, Recreation and Tourism's newest parks, Beverly D. Clyburn Generations Park! Participants learned hiking tips & tricks, basic first aid, and information on other trails within the Aiken community. In addition, individuals and families enjoyed exploring the outdoors, exercising, and spending time with family and friends! With such a successful program, the City of Aiken looks to coordinate more hikes in the future.
Members of the Pine Grove Community gathered on April 29, 2023 for the annual Pine Grove Rosenwald celebration, to commemorate the restoration of the Pine Grove Rosenwald School and celebrate the legacy of Julius Rosenwald and Booker T. Washington, who built state of the art education in African American communities in the south in the early 20th Century. Richland County Recreation Commission worked diligently to secure funds and restore the school to its original configuration and create a historic community gathering space, and it received its National Register designation in 2009.
Submit a brief for a future issue of SCRPA magazine. Send your text (70 words or less) plus up to three high resolution photos to: Kristen Guilfoos at kguilfoos@spartanburgcounty.org.
The North Charleston Recreation Department (NCRD) has found that the need for services continues to increase at a time when resources are limited. Through a partnership with Keep North Charleston Beautiful (KNCB), several programs have been developed as creative solutions to decrease the city resources needed while increasing the level of service provided to the community.
The Litter League was conceptualized as a fun team-building activity. Two teams of NCRD employees would challenge each other to see who could pick up the most litter in a designated city park, over the span of forty-five minutes. It has evolved to NCRD staff challenging other city departments along with community volunteer groups. Participants enjoy the competitive nature of the program, and city parks get cleaned up in the process! In less than six months, more than 330 bags of litter have been removed from parks. In addition, KNCB provides litter cleanup kits for individuals who wish to pick up trash in public areas of North Charleston.
Paramount to both activities are the incentives available to volunteers. Individuals can earn prizes, gift cards, and volunteer awards. The winning Litter League group is crowned the Litter League Champions, and participants compete for prizes such as the most interesting and most valuable pieces of litter found. Winners receive medals, gift cards, and most importantly, bragging rights among their friends and coworkers.
To address the need for ongoing maintenance in these parks, KNCB developed the Adopt A Park program. Launched in early 2023, this program allows businesses and small groups to “adopt” a city park by performing landscaping and litter cleanup regularly. Since beginning the program earlier this year, KNCB has already worked with several groups that have adopted parks in North Charleston. Groups benefit by receiving a sign in the park with their logo along with regular social media promotion.
Working with volunteers is a powerful way to engage the public and empower community
members to take pride in their city. Through the dedication of volunteers, each of these programs has been possible. They both truly encompass the idea of doing more with less by developing creative and resourceful solutions to common problems.
As you wander through blooming Azaleas, relax in Hutchinson Square, or bike down the Sawmill Branch Canal, you’ll quickly discover the prominence of art within the Town of Summerville. Implementation of art within our parks and local spaces is a joint effort from the community. One of our latest projects includes a mural along the Sawmill Branch Trail. The mural which features a variety of plants native to the local area, is the first of hopefully many to be painted on underpasses along the trail. This project was completed in collaboration with Summerville Public Works Art Center, students of Dorchester District Two, our Parks and Recreation Department, and local artist Emily Wilson. The Sawmill Branch Trail is a paved biking and walking path that covers nearly seven miles along the canal. We hope to continue beautifying underpasses of the town with meaningful and cheerful murals.
The Town of Summerville is known for iconic sculptures throughout our parks and local spaces. Sculpture in the South has installed more than 25 figurative bronze sculptures since its beginning in 1999. Currently, 23 captivating and imaginative sculptures call our parks home. The mission of Sculpture in the South is to promote the appreciation of sculptures through education and creations of sculptures all while enhancing the community with its art. The newest piece being added to this collection is “Just Chillin” which features a banana relaxing on a park bench. This sculpture will be installed at our Saul Alexander Park later this year.
Another impressive project which ties together natural history, public art, and support for local businesses is the Birds In Residence: Downtown Summerville (B.I.R.D.S) Program. The B.I.R.D.S
Program resulted in a collaboration between Scupture in the South, Summerville DREAM, and Audubon Center at Francis Beidler Forest. This unique scavenger hunt provides locals and visitors of Summerville a fun activity to try and find sculptures throughout our downtown, parks and local businesses. The goal of the B.I.R.D.S Program is to enhance the community’s understanding and importance of conserving and restoring natural ecosystem while encouraging the appreciation and support for public art. Visitors and residents are able to stop by the Summerville Visitor Center and pick up a brochure full of clues to help you find all twentythree bird sculptures throughout the Town of Summerville.
No matter where you find yourself in the town, you will inevitably encounter memorable artwork.
Aiken is a city of green space, with many parks and outdoor areas to enjoy. Throughout these spaces, the City, along with community organizations, have made a commitment to the display of public art. Below are just a few examples of how the two are intertwined into the fabric of Aiken.
Last year, in conjunction with the City, Kitfox Pediatric Dentistry created ‘Kitting Around Aiken,’ a permanent public art installation with a subtle nod to the centuries-old equestrian sport of fox hunting. Hidden around the city are six bronze kit foxes, each with its own name and story, designed as a scavenger hunt to lead adults and children around the city. Freight the Fox, who is a stickler for time, is located at the Aiken Visitors Center and Train Museum; and Fable, the reader, is hiding out in Library Park. Other foxes are hidden in our downtown parkways and festival areas.
Equine history runs deep in Aiken. To highlight this history, in 2004, the Aiken Center for the Arts collaborated with the City to have 42 lifesize fiberglass horse statues painted by local artists, then auctioned off
as a fundraiser. Today, several of the horses are still in public view with some adorning the landscape of Hopelands Gardens, Aiken Visitors Center and Train Museum, and our downtown parkways. Through the efforts of Leadership Aiken County, class of 2016, an arts initiative called ‘Aiken Through Art’ highlighted Aiken’s unique culture by commissioning the creation of nine public art displays. Among the installations are: our Farmers Market showcases a mural representing Aiken’s early farming settlements; the Aiken Visitors Center and Train Museum is home to a bench decorated with mosaic tile, designed to represent the history of Aiken’s railroad; and the Newberry Street Festival Center displays an empty Nuclear Waste Canister, artistically designed to represent the Savannah River Site management, operations and cleanup.
Performing arts is also in abundance in Aiken! The ‘Hopelands Concert Series,’ in its 49th season, provides a wide array of concerts for the community. Between April and June each year, the City’s Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department, along with local businesses and
organizations, put on anywhere from 12 to 14 different musical and dance performances. The music ranges anywhere from Swing to Rock n’ Roll to Jazz. The season is capped off with an enthralling performance by the Parris Island Marine Band.
Connecting both the visual and performing arts, our department also produces the ‘Aiken Art Walk’ each Spring. Artists, writers, and musicians set up along the sidewalks and storefronts of our main street downtown for the evening, putting local art front and center. The event spills into The Alley, which is a pedestrian corridor and festival area in the center of downtown, where multiple murals have been added over the years.
Aiken has a rich array of arts, rooted in our history and culture. Our department tries to incorporate fine arts into our parks and programs, while still maintaining the serenity of the green spaces that our citizens love and enjoy. When you visit Aiken, make sure you stop by and visit Fable at the Library Park, one of the horses at Hopelands Gardens, or stop by the Aiken Visitors Center and Train Museum – we'd love to see you!
By: Marley Bassett, Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission Marketing Intern
The soft wind whistling through the trees, the stillness of the water, and the trills of a variety of birds provide a much-needed space for those in the Lowcountry seeking inspiration or healing at the Caw Caw Interpretive Center in Ravenel.
In 2021, Caw Caw ventured into the world of art by showcasing a local artist’s photography. It was the work of a man who had recently returned from his military tour and was suffering from PTSD, who began coming to Caw Caw to aid in his recovery. The photographer shared his images through Instagram and other social media platforms before his installment at Caw Caw opened. He has since blossomed into one of the foremost featured wildlife photographers at Caw Caw and throughout the Lowcountry.
Since then, Caw Caw has featured other types of work from local artists, including a variety of paintings depicting the coastal area and downtown Charleston. The first featured artist scheduled for 2024 is Chris Correale, who is a wood carver. There are currently three other openings for artists who might be interested in showcasing their work in 2024. Those interested can reach out to Julie Glass at jglass@ccprc.com.
Charleston County also sometimes features art installations at McLeod Plantation Historic Site, featured within the site’s McLeod House. Recently, 14 portraits created by Mary Burkett were displayed in the house. The series was titled “Beloved: Legacy of Slavery,” and the portraits were based on photography of children shaped by slavery and the period that followed.
The McLeod Plantation was built by William and Susan Lawton between 1852-1856 and had between 50-100 enslaved people. It was the fifth largest plantation on James Island in terms of acreage at the dawn of the Civil War. After the Civil War, McLeod served as the Regional Headquarters of the Freedmen's Bureau. Descendants of formerly enslaved and various renters lived in the plantations’ cabins until 1990. William Ellis, the last McLeod male, bequeathed his third of the property to the Historic Charleston Foundation in 1990; they, in turn, raised the funds to buy out his sisters' interests. In 2011, they sold the property to Charleston County Parks.
Mary Burkett’s artwork displays the gravity of each child's situation and many visitors commented on the pain that was etched into the faces of the children. Visitors were overwhelmed by the bleakness found throughout these works.
Creating this collection was challenging as information about the children was scarce, but McLeod staff did find a few of the children in Census records. Burkett hopes that these pictures can be a springboard to spark a deeper conversation about the lives of enslaved children.
“What can we learn from the Beloved? That remains to be seen, but it is certain that they offer us a catalyst, a starting point for reflection and conversation that can perhaps move us beyond our own preconceptions,” Burkett said on her website. The impact of "Beloved: Legacy of Slavery" can be gleaned from the nearly 300 comments left by visitors from all over the world. Their messages of compassion for the children are unifying and heart-warming.
Art in our parks help facilitate meaningful conversations and provides an important method of healing for those in our community, and we look forward to providing more opportunities for our community.
In the Fall of 2019, it was discovered that a tree at the newly renovated Edward R. Driggers City of Greer Center for the Arts, was dying. It was located in a prominent location at the corner of the building and the parking lot. In keeping with the arts theme, staff searched for an artist that could carve the tree into an artistic sculpture and give it new life. In the spring of 2020, staff met with Ice Age Sculptures of Greenville, who were not working due to the pandemic. They were very interested in exploring a new medium, and so, a new partnership was born.
In July of 2020, under a new name, Crescent Carvers, Edwin Hutchison presented three design options. The City of Greer consulted with the Artists in Residence at the Center for the Arts, the Greer Cultural Arts Council Board, City Administrator, and City of Greer Staff members to choose a design. And then the carving began— it was trial and error.
The carvers worked through the long summer days and were learning to adapt from ice to wood carving. After two months, Emerging was born.
This piece was carved exclusively onsite. A portion of the cut tree was reattached to the side to create the wing attachment. The carvers started at the top and worked their way down. As they approached the bottom of the tree, the reason for the tree’s death became apparent, as there was rot throughout the base of the trunk. Hutchison brought in a tree carver from Oregon, Chris Foltz, to help repair the damage, which is called “adding bones” a technique used to strengthen soft wood.
The dedication of the tree sculpture was one of the first events hosted by the City of Greer as the world started to open up again in the Fall of 2020. Following the Emerging sculpture, the City worked with Crescent Carvers to create a sculpture for the Little Library at the Center for the Arts and another sculpture at Benson Automotive Kids Planet, a newly renovated playground. Each tree provided an opportunity to repurpose resources that would otherwise be removed and create three pieces of art for the entire community to enjoy.
A new public art project at Saluda Shoals Park invites visitors to experience art in a beautiful, natural setting. The Irmo Chapin Recreation Commission (ICRC) and the Saluda Shoals Foundation recently unveiled a large sculpture in front of the River Center Conference Center located within the park.
The free-standing sculpture “Egrets” was designed and fabricated by internationally known artist Babette Bloch, a pioneer in the use of lasercut and water jet-cut stainless steel in creating figurative works of art. Her sculptures explore form and the interplay between object and light, reflect their environments, and expand the ways in which stainless steel is used in contemporary art.
Her distinctive approach can be found in public commissions in her silhouetted and larger-than-life-sized "Reflecting History" series, seen in Brookgreen Gardens, Murrells Inlet, SC, Hudson Heritage Farm, Ganges, MI, the Chimei Museum, Tainan, Taiwan, and Enterprise Corporate Park, Shelton, CT. Babette Bloch: Steel Garden, an exhibit of works from her "Reflecting Nature" series has traveled extensively to museums and Sculpture Gardens across America. Bloch's floral and wildlife sculptures are on view in museums and private collections in the U.S. and in Europe.
“We are very excited for renowned artist, Babette Bloch to bring such a beautiful piece of art into our park for the community to enjoy," said Lindsay Hudson, Saluda Shoals Park director. “This installation is part of a bigger initiative at Saluda Shoals Park to offer Midland’s residents and visitors more opportunities to experience public art in the park.”
In addition to this latest project, Saluda Shoals Park is home to many art pieces that can be found in buildings and along the trails of the park. Notable works include Lower Saluda River, a silk batik by Charleston artist Mary Edna Fraser, Silver Hands Fish, a steel sculpture by Bob Doster, Joyful Play, the Leo’s Landing Playground Entrance sculpture by Greg Fitzpatrick, Water Totem, a clay sculpture by Susan TondreauDwyer and Steel Fish by artist Mike Williams.
“Egrets” was funded through the Saluda Shoals Foundation, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization which provides financial support to Saluda Shoals Park, and the C. W. and Dorothy G. Love Foundation. The art installation supports Saluda Shoals Park’s mission to provide art and cultural opportunities to the community. “Egrets” along with other artwork in Saluda Shoals Park can be viewed by visitors during regular park hours.
Bringing our community together. At the City of Goose Creek Recreation Department, that’s a top priority.
Goose Creek may be South Carolina’s eighth-largest municipality, but we strive to maintain our hometown feel, and give residents unique ways to connect with one another. We do this through diverse programming, public parks, City artwork and special events. One of our most popular initiatives has been our “Adopt-a-Goose” program, which has captured the imagination of residents of all ages.
The program allows local businesses and organizations to “adopt” a goose statue. Working closely with our Cultural Arts Commission and Goose Creek Artist Guild, local artists create these one-of-a-kind statues. Each statue is a permanent fixture made of fiberglass. Once a goose is adopted, it is hand-painted by Artist Guild volunteers. Our artists collaborate with the owners to ensure each statue’s design best represents its business or organization. Included here are Goose Jordan
at the City of Goose Creek Recreation Center, Sgt. McGoose at John McCants Veteran Park, and Annie Mae at Central Creek Park.
This is a new initiative (five adoptees so far!), but it has already become a hit with the community. Once a new goose lands at its forever home, residents are invited to go on a “wild goose chase” to locate the new statue. The scavenger hunt encourages residents to travel around the city and take photographs with it before its location is officially announced. The Adopt-a-Goose program has made our community more engaged and allowed visitors to learn about the importance of our Cultural Arts Commission and Goose Creek Artist Guild. It has also given local businesses great publicity and increased foot traffic. There is nothing quite like pulling up to a familiar location and being greeted by a new, smiling goose statue!
By: Leslie Wilson, Richland County Recreation Commission
“Art is therapeutic, provides socialization, and depending on the form, can be a source of hand therapy for those who may struggle with arthritis in the hands,” Deandrea Outten-Brown explains. Mrs. Outten-Brown participates in arts programming offered through the Parklane Adult Activity Center in Richland County and believes it offers physical and emotional wellness benefits to participants as arts programming “relieves stress and is good physical and emotional therapy.”
At Richland County Recreation Commission, we offer arts programming for all ages. The
Ballentine Community Center focuses on health and wellness, and arts classes for adult throughout each week. Patrons can choose from ceramics classes, scrapbooking and journaling, quilting, and Creative Connections. In the Creative Connections Monday class, we offer a variety of mediums for artists to explore. Whether the participant is already an artist, or just looking for an oppor¬tunity to explore artistic pursuits, all are welcome. Mem¬bers work on various mediums including watercolor, quilting, crocheting, knitting, and more.
According to the National Institutes on Aging,
research on participatory arts shows promise for improving older adults’ quality of life and well-being, potentially improving cognitive function, memory, and self-esteem. It also serves to reduce stress and increase social interaction. Participants in the Bluff Road Ceramics class agree. Pauline Bouknight explains, “Participating in ceramics helps your hands because of the movements that are necessary. You gain experience through learning from one another. You also get to fellowship with other participants.” Lilly Randolph adds her participation in the ceramics class “provides opportunities for socialization and helps to keep us alert.” Together they explained that participating in ceramics allows adults to focus their attention on creativity instead of problems and issues and helps them keep their mind sharp.
Our adult artists all have their favorite art forms. Deandrea Outten-Brown’s favorite art form to learn about is painting, as new talents can be discovered at any age. Pauline Bouknight’s favorite artistic pursuit is ceramics. Diane Jeffcoat and Genetta Hamilton at the Parklane Adult Activity Center encourage us to think about offering a broad range of arts programming. Their favorite art forms are painting and reading. “Art can provide brain stimulation, and reading can be viewed as art as it promotes literacy in adulthood.”
Broadening the availability and scope of adult arts programming encourages exploration and continued skill growth. Lilly Randolph may have put it best when she said, “If more types of art forms were offered, we’d be able to do even more.”
“Participating in the Arts Creates Paths to Healthy Aging.” National Institute on Aging, 15 Feb. 2019, www.nia.nih.gov/news/participating-arts-createspaths-healthy-aging
By: Megan Boisvert, North Charleston Parks and Recreation
In Fall of 2021, the City of North Charleston decided to breathe new life into an old senior community center building. The decision was made to renovate the space into an art building that would meet the changing needs of the community and bring additional creative programming to the area. From there, the idea of creating the Park Circle Ceramics Studio was born. During this renovation, the Recreation and Cultural Arts Departments worked hand in hand to make the project possible. The inside of the building was gutted and updated to create a blank slate for the new space. In 2022, the Park Circle Ceramics studio officially opened its doors. The renovated building features a large activity room, kitchen, kiln room, birthday party room and an outdoor picnic area.
The Park Circle Ceramics Studio is a paint your own pottery facility. Open studio time allows people of any age and skill level to choose
a bisqueware item and paint it using a variety of provided glaze colors. After the projects are painted, they are fired by the ceramics staff, and ready to be picked up in two weeks. The space allows the community to engage with art programming on their own terms in a space that fosters creativity and self-expression. In addition to open studio time, monthly specialty classes are offered for adults and children. These classes range from parent & child storytime painting, all the way to hand built mug classes for adults.
Since opening, the staff has worked to foster community involvement. Students from local schools have visited the building to paint a piece with their peers. One of the staff’s favorite groups to visit was Hanahan Elementary
School’s Brew Crew, which is a group of students who runs a coffee cart program at their school. The Brew Crew was created by special education teachers as an “opportunity for the students to go beyond the walls of the classroom and learn real life skills through social interactions”, said Principal Mitchell. As part of their program, the group visited the ceramics studio for a special treat. During their visit, they painted coffee mugs to take home and enjoy. The recreation department has brought groups of seniors from various facilities to paint. “We are fortunate to be able to add ceramics, a multigenerational activity to our programming” says Deputy Director, Kathy Kackley. The programs and events being offered at the studio continue to grow. Next time you visit North Charleston, be sure to stop by and paint a piece of pottery at Park Circle Ceramics.
The City of Goose Creek Recreation Department values all things that create community. Art is a beautiful way for our residents to express themselves and take part in city projects. Throughout Goose Creek, we have several examples of art, including our graffiti park, murals on buildings, performing arts programs, statues painted by local artists, and the infamous “Be Kind” banners created by the participants in our Therapeutic Recreation Division.
Our Therapeutic Division is devoted to providing resources and activities for the special needs community. Art, in all forms, is a valuable tool; it’s not just painting and artwork that build community in this division, we also value programming like theatre, music therapy, and dance. While it is true universally, it is especially true in the special needs community, that we use art to speak, learn, break barriers, and push limits. This is represented in many ways, such as expressing stories without words, sensory opportunities, and finding new ways to create. Some of our participants have physical disabilities and are unable to use their hands to create artwork, but this doesn’t stop them. Some have learned to paint with their feet. Nick, one of our feet artists, has gone on to lead “how to paint with your feet” groups in our public parks. In Goose Creek, art not only brings the community together by visual appeal, but by exposure to different forms of art. The special needs community was a major influence on the construction of our all-inclusive Central Creek Park. Central Creek Park opened in December of 2022 and was the first of its kind in Berkeley County. Among its many features is an all-ability accessible playground. This park was intentionally built to accommodate different needs and allow individuals of varying abilities to play side by side. Not only did we want the disabled community included in the conversations, equipment, and resources going into the park, we wanted to represent this population in a way that was obvious to all visitors.
Art, to the City of Goose Creek Recreation, is a way to connect people of all backgrounds, and that was our vision with the banner project.
Showcased throughout the park are banners created by individuals within our Therapeutic Recreation Division to express what kindness means to them. There are sixteen “Be Kind” banners displayed along the walking trail at Central Creek Park. The three included photos are of Daniel Jaicks (Home), Elisabeth Wright (Soup Kitchen), and Olivia Miller (Best Friends). “Be Kind” is the mission and theme at Central Creek Park. Elisabeth, Olivia, and Daniel have been members of the Therapeutic Recreation Division since its beginning. It has been a dream come true to see these participants represented in this project, and they are incredibly proud to have their artwork displayed for all to see. Park guests continue to express their love of the banners and inquire about the artists, and, in turn, our Therapeutic Recreation Division.
Art, in many different forms and ways, has helped our city communicate with one another, learn from one another, and be proud of one another.
We have fun in the sun in Myrtle Beach with our “Art in the Park” recreation program! This art class for adults meets on the last Friday of each month, April through October, to let creativity loose in a variety of mediums.
“The classes are fun and relaxing – and even a bit challenging at times,” said participant Carol Rohan. “This program is wonderful, and made more enjoyable by the helpful and supportive staff.”
Recreation Leader Wendy Bass and Recreation Supervisor Lauren Wolf lead the classes. Participants are encouraged to ask questions, share with other participants and get creative with their artwork. Wendy and Lauren get their hands dirty with the class, too.
Kit Slafkosky said, “I have never in my life felt ‘crafty.’ This program has brought out some beautiful work I didn’t even know I had in me.”
The Arts for Life program meets at Thunderbolt Park, one of Myrtle Beach’s up-and-coming activity spots. This unique park has indoor and outdoor accommodations. The weather isn’t always predictable, but thanks to a renovated Air Force Base building and shaded pavilion, it doesn’t have to be.
This is a free program for adults, 18-plus. All supplies are provided to the participants through a grant from the South Carolina Arts Commission. Supplies are limited, so preregistration is required.
80 West Group
Cory Anderson
22214 Market Street
Cornelius, NC 28031
(517) 488-9469
Cory@80WestGroup.com
www.80westgroup.com
ADC Engineering
John Brandon
1226 Yeamans Hall RD STE A Hanahan, SC 29410
(843) 566-0161
johnb@adcengineering. www.adcengineering.com
Aqua Management Partners (PurAqua Products)
Mike Looper
1880 Langston Street Rock Hill, SC 29730
(803) 372-7102
mlooper@aquamanagementpartners.com
www.aquamanagementpartners.com
Athletic Field Consultants, Inc.
Jeff Clise
PO Box 323 Queenstown, MD 21658
(301) 908-3526
AthleticFieldConsultantsInc@gmail.com www.athleticfieldconsultants.com
Barrs Recreation, LLC
Carolynne Barrs
36 Diane St. Pittsboro, NC 27312
(919) 781-4870
carolynneb@barrsrec.com
www.barrsrec.com
Carolina Parks & Play
Amber Golden
107A Fountain Brook Circle
Cary, NC 27512
(919) 469-9188
amber@carolinaparksandplay.com www.carolinaparksandplay.com
Carolina Recreation and Design
Anthony Bouse
344 Rolling Hills Rd Suite 201 Mooresville, NC 28117
(704) 664-1833
anthony@carolina-recreation.com
www.carolina-recreation.com
CSU Human Dimensions of Natural Resources
Jaime Dahl
1480 Campus Delivery Fort Collins, CO 80523 (970) 491-6591
jaime.dahl@colostate.edu
Cunningham Recreation/GameTime
Michele Breakfield PO Box 240198
Charlotte, NC 28224 (800) 438-2780
michele@cunninghamrec.com www.cunninghamrec.com
Duffield , an Aquafinity Company
Heather Warren-Shepherd 952 Jupiter Park Lane Jupiter, FL 33458 (561) 354-2728
hwarrenshepherd@ceswaterquality.com
www.ceswaterquality.com
GameOn
Phil Evatt 213 Riverside Court Greer, SC 29650 (864) 558-2996
phil@teamgameon.com
https://www.teamgameon.com
Keck & Wood
Clarence Barrineau III 300 Technology Center Way, Suite 400 Rock Hill, SC 29730 (803) 620-1307
tbarrineau@keckwood.com
www.keckwood.com
Let’s Lite it UP!
Buck Jones 122 Yellowbark Dr Lexington, SC 29072 (803) 261-2262
buckjonessc@gmail.com
www.palmtreetopper.com
Musco Lighting
Brian Hartman
4711 Forest Drive Ste 3, #287 Columbia, SC 29206 Phone: 803.904.0302
brian.hartman@musco.com
www.musco.com
Playworld Preferred
Geoff Eastman
613 South Magnolia Street Summerville, SC 29483
(800) 459-7241
geoff.eastman@playworldpreferred.com www.playworldpreferred.com
SportsEdge
Michael Hartness
128 Scottsdale Drive Advance, NC 27006 (704) 450-2588
mike.h@sportsedge.com www.sportsedge.com
Stantec Consulting Services Inc.
Jenny Horne
4969 Centre Pointe Drive, Suite 200 North Charleston, SC 29418 (843) 740-7700
jenny.horne@stantec.com www.stantec.com
Tarkett Sports
Zak Sigler 7445 Cote-de-Liesse Suite 200 Montreal Quebec H4T 1G2, Canada +1 438 260 2086
zachary.sigler@tarkettsports.com www.tarkettsports.com
Apparel & Awards
GameOn
Phil Evatt 213 Riverside Court Greer, SC 29650 (864) 558-2996
phil@teamgameon.com www.teamgameon.com
Architecture & Engineering
80 West Group
Cory Anderson
22214 Market Street
Cornelius, NC 28031 (517) 488-9469
Cory@80WestGroup.com www.80westgroup.com
ADC Engineering
John Brandon
1226 Yeamans Hall RD STE A Hanahan, SC 29410 (843) 566-0161
johnb@adcengineering.com www.adcengineering.com
Alfred Benesch & Company
Jon Wood (704) 943-3185
jwood@benesch.com
www.benesch.com
Keck & Wood
Clarence Barrineau III
300 Technology Center Way, Suite 400 Rock Hill, SC 29730 (803) 620-1307
tbarrineau@keckwood.com
keckwood.com
Stantec Consulting Services Inc.
Jenny Horne
4969 Centre Pointe Drive, Suite 200 North Charleston, SC 29418 (843) 740-7700
jenny.horne@stantec.com
www.stantec.com
Wood & Partners Inc.
Kyle Theodore
7 Lafayette Place Hilton Head Island, SC 29926 (843) 681-6618
ktheodore@woodandpartners.com
www.woodandpartners.com
Athletic Courts
Sport Court Carolina
Dave Barbee 704-239-4900
dave@sportcourtcarolina.com www.sportcourtcarolina.com
Athletic Fields
Athletic Field Consultants, Inc. Jeff Clise PO Box 323 Queenstown, MD 21658 (301) 908--3526
AthleticFieldConsultantsInc@gmail.com www.athleticfieldconsultants.com
Tarkett Sports Zak Sigler 7445 Cote-de-Liesse Suite 200 Montreal Quebec H4T 1G2, Canada +1 438 260 2086
zachary.sigler@tarkettsports.com www.tarkettsports.com
Commercial Playground Equipment
Barrs Recreation, LLC
Carolynne Barrs
36 Diane St. Pittsboro, NC 27312
(919) 781-4870
carolynneb@barrsrec.com www.barrsrec.com
Carolina Parks & Play
107A Fountain Brook Circle
amber@carolinaparksandplay.com www.carolinaparksandplay.com
Carolina Recreation and 344 Rolling Hills Rd Suite 201
anthony@carolina-recreation.com www.carolina-recreation.com
Playworld Preferred
Geoff Eastman
613 South Magnolia Street Summerville, SC 29483 (800) 459-7241
geoff.eastman@playworldpreferred.com www.playworldpreferred.com
Dog Park Products
Gyms for Dogs
sales@gymsfordogs.com www.gymsfordogs.com
Fountains
Most Dependable Fountains
(901) 867-0039
www.mostdependable.com
Graduate Program
Colorado State University
Human Dimensions of Natural Resources
Jaime Dahl
Cunningham Recreation/ GameTime
Michele Breakfield PO Box 240198
Charlotte, NC 28224 (800) 438-2780
michele@cunninghamrec.com www.cunninghamrec.com
Graphic Design & Publishing
Pernsteiner Creative Group
Todd Pernsteiner (952) 841-1111
todd@pernsteiner.com
www.pernsteiner.com
Lighting
Let’s Lite it UP!
Buck Jones
122 Yellowbark Dr Lexington, SC 29072 (803) 261-2262
buckjonessc@gmail.com
www.palmtreetopper.com
Musco Lighting
Brian Hartman
4711 Forest Drive Ste 3, #287 Columbia, SC 29206 Phone: 803.904.0302
brian.hartman@musco.com www.musco.com
1480 Campus Delivery Fort Collins, CO 80523 (970) 491-6591
jaime.dahl@colostate.edu
Precast Concrete Buildings
Smith-Midland
Scott Hicks
9790 Garners Ferry Rd Hopkins, SC 29061 (803) 708-2222
shicks@smithmidland.com
www.smithmidland.com
Signage, Exhibits & Wayfinding
iZone Imaging
Lyndsay Blair (254) 314-8249
lyndsay.blair@izoneimaging.com www.izoneimaging.com
Site Furnishings
RJ Thomas Mfg Co. / Pilot Rock
Justin Jorgensen (800) 762-5002 jjorgensen@rjthomas.com www.pilotrock.com
Software Technology
MyRec.com Recreation Software
Colin Drury Colin@MyRec.com www.MyRec.com
Tennis Association
USTA South Carolina
Sheryl McAlister (843) 441-3265
mcalister@sctennis.com www.sctennis.com
Track & Field Products
FieldTurf
Patrick Zeni (839) 500-8368
patrick.zeni@fieldturf.com www.fieldturf.com
Agencies: Articles in SOUTH CAROLINA magazine help get exposure for your agency and staff. Send articles to: Alison Cribb, ACribb@CityofAikenSC.gov.
Commercial Members: Get in front of key decision- makers for as little as $400 per issue. Learn more at www.bit.ly/SCRPA2023.
MULTI-ISSUE, VALUE-ADDED PACKAGES AVAILABLE
For more information, contact account manager Todd Pernsteiner at todd@pernsteiner.com or or (952) 841-1111.
SportsEdge
Michael Hartness
128 Scottsdale Drive Advance, NC 27006 (704) 450-2588
mike.h@sportsedge.com
www.sportsedge.com
Water Management & Treatment
Aqua Management Partners (PurAqua Products)
Mike Looper 1880 Langston Street Rock Hill, SC 29730 (803) 372-7102
mlooper@aquamanagementpartners.com
www.aquamanagementpartners.com
Duffield, an Aquafinity Company
Heather Warren-Shepherd 952 Jupiter Park Lane Jupiter , FL 33458 (561) 354-2728
hwarrenshepherd@ceswaterquality.com www.ceswaterquality.com
2024
Editorial topics: TBD
Fall 2024 + Buyer's Guide • Deadline: July 15, 2024
Editorial topics: Annual Conference Preview
• Restore old, damaged courts to make them like-new again.
• Sport Courts offer a longer life/warranty than acrylic paint surfaces.
• Convert unused tennis courts into multi-sport courts to attract new users.
• Help keep residents safe - Sport Court technology absorbs shock, lessening impact and risk of injuries.
To learn more visit sportcourtcarolina.com or call 704-239-4900.
Carolina
