South Carolina Recreation & Parks - Summer 2021

SOUTH CAROLINA

SUMMER 2021

RECREATION & PARKS ASSOCIATION

Lessons Learned

Reflecting Back, Looking Forward

SOUTH CAROLINA AGENCIES SHARE STORIES ABOUT A YEAR OF CHALLENGES & NEW OPPORTUNITIES

ALSO INSIDE: 2021 SCRPA Photo Contest Winners South Carolina Olympians Greenville County Pavilion Renovation Abbey’s Hope Charitable Foundation

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SOUTH CAROLINA

RECREATION & PARKS ASSOCIATION

2021 Board of Directors EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE President Randy Woodard Charleston County

Secretary Alice Jones Charleston County

Eastern VP Beth Goodale Georgetown County

President Elect Dustin Jordan City of Myrtle Beach

Treasurer Brian Rogers Cheraw

Southern VP Cole Thomas Charleston County

Vice President Jessica Campbell City of Aiken

Past President Kevin Stiens Spartanburg County

Western VP Brad Cuttino City of Greenville

Central VP Katherine Jones Lancaster County

BRANCHES - 1 YEAR COMMITMENTS ELM Branch Amy Evans Town of Summerville PRM Branch Jesse Holliman City of Rock Hill

Programming Allyson All City of North Charleston SCAP Branch Willie Stewart City of Mauldin

SC PRT Representative Matt Elswick South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism

TABLE OF CONTENTS The Association Report..............................................................................4 Here’s What’s Happening...........................................................................6 2021 SCRPA Photo Contest Winners.........................................................7 Giving Their All - South Carolina Olympic Athletes.......................... 8-10 The Coolest Place in Town - Greenville’s Pavilion............................ 12-14 Creating the Creative Corner in Myrtle Beach.................................16-17 Lessons Learned: Reflecting Back, Looking Forward Richland County..............................................................................18-19 City of Aiken.................................................................................... 20-21 Charleston County......................................................................... 22-23 Spartanburg County...................................................................... 24-25 Fairfield County....................................................................................26 Abbey’s Hope Charitable Foundation.............................................. 28-29

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SCRPA EXECUTIVE STAFF Executive Director James E. Headley jim@scrpa.org

Membership Services Coordinator Melissa Williams melissa@scrpa.org

MAGAZINE/MARKETING COMMITTEE Bethany Doman Chair City of Charleston

Lucas Vance Central Rep Fairfield County

Gina Ellis-Strother Southern Rep Charleston County

Mallory Holmes Vice Chair City of Myrtle Beach

Victoria Singletary Eastern Rep City of Florence

Gabriella Porter Western Rep City of Greenville

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Summer 2021 • SOUTH CAROLINA Recreation and Parks 3

THE ASSOCIATION REPORT

by Randy Woodard, SCRPA President & Jim Headley, SCRPA Executive Director Randy Woodard

Jim Headley

Happy start of summer, everyone!

This is typically the time of year most folks have been preparing and planning for the utilization of your parks and grounds, fields, pools, summer day camps, special events and athletic programs.

However, we aware that the majority of you have been working extra hard performing administrative work and running programs in addition to “other duties assigned” over the past year. We recognize that most agencies were faced with the elimination of part time staff last year and absorbing their responsibilities.

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We just would simply like to say thank you.

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WE ARE ESSENTIAL TI RECREA

Thank you to the Executive Level Management Branch, Amy Evans, Jan Cox and Eric Stewart, for a very successful Southern Leisure Management and Trends Institute. Our other branches and committees have been working hard as well to provide each of you with professional development so please continue to be on look out for more information.

We will communicate any new information regarding the various options and provisions of the American Rescue Plan. We also are now tracking Senate Bill 152, which allows the counties the ability to add a 1 penny tax for “County Green Space Sales Tax.” There are several exceptions including that your county cannot participate in this bill if there are currently three other local taxes being implemented. The Senate passed it on the last of session May 13th and the next step is for the response of the SC House of Representatives.

Please enjoy your summer and stay safe!

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#HeresWhatsHappening

Snapshots of programming in SCRPA member agencies le Butter fly Summer vil y Wing Displa

Charlesto Eggstravan Easter g a n za

ng a life size butterfly wi first sta rted we bu ilt ng wa s thi ery When the pa ndem ic Ev . rks pa r tal led in one of ou rks display that wa s ins tion between the Pa house as a col labora in t cen per wi ngs the d done 100 ate cre We . tor Events Coord ina r sta ff and the Special instal led in one of ou sea led them. It wa s d an ed int pa y! and then nit mu com e att raction for the pa rks as a cov id saf

Spar tanburg Parks

Since the annual Easter Egg Scra mble was canceled due to COV ID-19 concerns, Spa rtanburg Cou nty Park s found a way to brin g the Easter fun to the people… literally! Fam ilies purchased eggs and then our “Parks Peeps” crews hid them in thei r front yard s. We delivered and hid 400 dozen eggs!

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Our annual Easter Eggstravaga nza couldn’t happen this year due to COV ID-1 9, so we met our com mun ities where they were at with a variety of prog ram s at thei r convenience and com fort levels.

One prog ram was Easter Eggs-er cise, where the Easter bun ny visited loca l park s to part icipate in fitness activities such as a sack race, spoon egg race, jumping agil ity stat ions and more!

Peeps

AGENCIES: SUBMIT YOUR UPDATES! Have a #HeresWhatsHappening brief to submit for a future issue of the magazine? Please send your text (70 words or less) plus up to three high resolution photos to: Bethany Doman at domanb@charleston-sc.gov

S C R PA S O UTH C ARO LI NA M AG A Z I N E PH OTO CO NTE S T

2021 WINNERS The votes have been tallied and the results are in! The “Best of Show” winner, Shari Clemons, takes home the win by a margin of one vote! Shari wins a free conference registration for the 2021 SCRPA Annual Conference this fall. Congratulations, Shari!

Thank you to all who submitted to the 2021 SCRPA magazine photo contest.

BEST OF SHOW Shari Clemons, City of Aiken

HONORABLE MENTION

Meredith Garris, City of Orangeburg

2ND PLACE

Matt Olson, City of Charleston

3RD PLACE Adam Kelly, City of Charleston

Shari Clemons, City of Aiken

Summer 2021 • SOUTH CAROLINA Recreation and Parks 7

Giving Their All South Carolina agencies share connections with Olympic athletes

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Training Grounds

By: Gina Ellis-Strother, Chief Administrative Officer, Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission As Olympic hopefuls set their sights on competing in the 2021 Olympics in Tokyo, Japan this summer, their focus remains on maximizing their training regimen in pursuit of gold. Part of that regimen involves having the right facility to train. Charleston County Park’s SK8 Charleston skatepark was chosen as the Olympic training ground for a 14year old female skateboarder named Bombette Martin. Bombette, who has been skateboarding since she was 9-years old, had traveled all over the country visiting skateparks before she and her family chose SK8 Charleston to train for the Olympics.

“There is so much you can do at SK8 Charleston, you can’t go wrong,” Bombette said. “I’ve been to world class skate parks, all over the world, and this is world class. Honestly, you don’t have many of these on the East Coast. This is great.” The skatepark opened in 2017,

and features a 200-foot-long snake run, 315-foot-long street course, a sevenfoot-deep intermediate bowl and a 11.5-foot-deep pro bowl.

Bombette is currently practicing on the intermediate bowl as part of her 25 hours per week training regimen while being home schooled. Although there are not as many female skaters in the sport, the U.S. competition is strong.

Since she has dual-citizenship from the United States and Great Britain because her Dad was born there, she made the decision to pursue the Great Britain team as a strategy to qualify for the Olympics. Her coach based in Great Britain contacts her regularly to discuss the skateboard videos she sends, complimenting her on all the progress while also pushing her to keep perfecting her tricks.

Bombette currently ranks 43 in top female skateboarders in the world and through various competitions needs to rank in the top 20. “Bombette is an incredibly talented skater,” SK8 Charleston manager Josh McFadden added. “It has been awesome to have her out at the park and to see her ride.

We have a great deal of female skaters regularly coming out to SK8 Charleston.

This is probably our fastest growing population and many of these girls shred.”

When the sport of skateboarding officially debuts in the 2021 Summer Olympics, Bombette hopes to make her debut appearance as well. Her parents and brother (who also skateboards) believe that Bombette’s desire to compete in the Olympics is a dream shared by the whole family and they are committed to doing their part to making that become a reality.

Summer 2021 • SOUTH CAROLINA Recreation and Parks 9

Giving Back Gold By: Mallory Holmes, Special Events Coordinator, City of Myrtle Beach Amber Campbell-Moore can be seen all over the City of Myrtle Beach sporting a blue USA zip-up jacket.

From a distance, one may think she’s simply patriotic but those that know her recognize the jacket as a symbol of her accomplishments in life.

Amber is a Research and Development Analyst for the City of Myrtle Beach where she is currently working on developing new financial software for the city. Her job prior to the city was a little more “hands on”. Amber competed in the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, London 2012 Olympic Games, and Rio 2016 Olympic Games in track and field and her event was the Hammer Throw.

Amber began working towards becoming an Olympian while attending Coastal Carolina University in Conway, SC. Amber was introduced to throwing the hammer her freshman year at CCU, and quickly began having success with it. At the conclusion of that season, she made a plan to be able to compete in the 2004 Olympic games. Life presented some ups and downs during her colligate career, but ultimately she qualified for the 2004 US Olympic Trials where she placed third but didn’t make the team.

The mark needed to make the team was less than a foot away from her throw.

The next year, she came back to qualify for her first World Championship Team and subsequently qualified for four more before she retried (2009, 2011, 2013, 2015). She qualified for her first Olympic Team at the 2008 US Team Trials where she placed second. That was the true start of her Olympic career.

Amber collected so many special moments through her years of competing, but a few stand out. One of

those moments is the feeling she had when walking out onto the field. She described it in one word: overwhelming.

In the 2008 Games, USA had the opportunity to go on the field and do a walk-through of the competition facility before the games started. The moment she stepped foot on the field, tears filled her eyes. That’s the moment it all felt real. Another favorite memory was seeing her parents and family in the stands at EVERY SINGLE Olympic Games event.

Amber’s family has been the biggest mentors and support system; they are very tight knit. She’s the youngest of four and has three older brothers so between them and her parents, she’s had great people pushing her. They’ve been her support, help, inspiration, or that swift kick in the butt when needed. They’ve always been right there.

Amber took a job at the City of Myrtle Beach in 2017 after retiring from her athletic career. She always wanted to give back to the city that had supported her so much, and when the opportunity presented itself, she jumped at the chance. She’s not sure if being an Olympic athlete changed her life as much as it has been a continuing influence in her life. To this day, she can lean on the work ethic she learned, or the relationships she formed from her time as an athlete. It gives her the opportunity to encourage others to follow their hearts and their dreams even if the path seems unconventional.

Since Amber’s retirement, she is currently taking a mental break but feels confident that she’ll be involved in the sport again one day.

Amber isn’t sure if being an Olympic athlete changed her life as much as it has been a continuing influence in her life. To this day, she can lean on the work ethic she learned, or the relationships she formed from her time as an athlete.

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Summer 2021 • SOUTH CAROLINA Recreation and Parks 11

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Coolest Place in Town By: Jai Gilliland, Pavilion Manager at Greenville County Parks, Recreation & Tourism In 2015, a catastrophic failure For 30 years, the Pavilion to the ice system occurred Recreation Complex has offered and resulted in the need of many different recreation renovations to the Pavilion. opportunities to the residents Phase I of the project was of Upstate South Carolina. completed as the ice rink was The Pavilion has gone through converted to a state of the art changes throughout the years system to present optimal ice and plays host to multiple for the many different user user groups. It had been an groups. With an exceptional integral avenue in reaching ice surface now, the next step the people in the community was to further each guests’ through the multitude of options recreational experience for recreation such as: ice by updating the facility’s skating, adult and youth ice Skating at the Pavilion in the 1990s amenities. This next step would hockey, figure skating, curling, be on hold until 2020. badminton, table tennis, volleyball, pickle ball, indoor soccer, lacrosse, etc. To help On March 1, 2020 the Pavilion closed its doors for 7 months progress the recreation experience for anyone who visited the to undergo the widely anticipated Phase II of its renovation Pavilion, a renovation plan was put into place. project. Phase II of this renovation would be led by the

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With an exceptional ice surface now, the next step was to further each guests’ recreational experience by updating the facility’s amenities.

Summer 2021 • SOUTH CAROLINA Recreation and Parks 13

Pavilion new entrance, 2021

Pavilion old entrance, 1990s

on a very tight 7 month time frame (March 1-September 30) and were made possible through the procurement of a revenue bond.

Both phases were able to be completed for $6.8 million.

the Upstate and surrounding area residents through the doors for the next 30 years.

On September 30, 2020, the construction was complete and the facility was prepped for its re-opening. Each of the user groups, along with the general public were buzzing with excitement to see the unveiling of the new project. We hope that this will continue to bring

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On October 28, 2020 the Pavilion reopened. The freshly designed floor plan, along with the additions from the renovation project was welcomed with overwhelming compliments and praise! Now the Pavilion can truly live up to its nickname of “Greenville County’s Premier Rec Center.”

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CREATING THE By: Mallory Holmes, Special Events Coordinator, City of Myrtle Beach

Creative Corner began during COVID-19 when most of the staff tried to find ways to connect to patrons at home. Fitness class instructors began filming to post to social media so they could continue their routine and enjoy classes at home. Among those videos was Creative Corner, an art program that focused on basic art lessons and crafts that could be done at home with supplies that most people probably had on hand.

Once the centers and facilities started opening up and in-person classes began, Creative Corner was a hit! The class met every other week over the course of eight weeks. During those eight weeks a small group of “artists” gathered at one of our recreation centers, General Robert H. Reed, and learned water color basics, mixed media art techniques and clay making.

When asked what she liked about Creative Corner, one of the participants said, “To do this with direction, I could always buy stuff and dabble but she (Wendy, the instructor) is great. She doesn’t just tell you what to do, she directs you and offers a lot of support.”

Creative Corner has brought together a wonderful group of very creative locals who continued to show up for Creative Corner and our sister art program, Art at the Market. “I can tell the difference in looking at things that I painted in the first class compared to things I’ve painted lately and I think I’m getting better. It’s fun to do something different,” said one of the Creative Corner participants.

This art program is so much more than a gathering of like-minded individuals.

It’s vital to the community. As the number of people with long-term conditions increases and with the aging population who may experience physical inactivity and social isolation, innovative and effective programs like this are needed more than ever. Here are a few reasons why: • Making art helps people to express themselves without using words • Helps to improve social connections • Boosts self-confidence

• Helps to feel more engaged and resilient • Helps to alleviate anxiety, depression and stress Over the eight-weeks, our patrons curated many pieces of art that will be on display in an Art Showcase at one of our centers.

The pieces are not for sale, just simply to be admired. Our instructors look forward to incorporating art into programs in the future. Through closings during COVID-19 staff was able to take the time to thoughtfully plan out a new program that has turned into a success.

This art program is so much more than a gathering of like-minded individuals. It’s vital to the community.

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Over the eight-weeks, our patrons curated many pieces of art that will be on display in an Art Showcase at one of our centers.

Summer 2021 • SOUTH CAROLINA Recreation and Parks 17

Lessons Learned

Reflecting Back, Looking Forward

Richland County Recreation Commission’s Rec 2 Go

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SOUTH CAROLINA AGENCIES SHARE STORIES ABOUT A YEAR OF CHALLENGES & NEW OPPORTUNITIES

Creative Programming in Richland County During the Start of the Pandemic

By Adairius Williams, Community Outreach Coordinator, Richland County Recreation Commission With the paralyzing impact of the global pandemic, many industries, along with recreation, were forced to adjust to new normalcies. From the reduction in operating hours to even the closing of recreational facilities, programming was majorly impacted and even limited for an extended period. With the world forced to stay inside for several months, the community missed social interactions through parks and recreation and was immediately recognized as being essential to the healing of our community. With no one in our buildings and signature programs postponed and canceled, programming during these times required innovation and creativity.

In the summer of 2020, Richland County Recreation Commission was unable to hold a Summer Camp due to the unknowns of the Covid-19 virus at the time. This was disappointing not only to the community but to our staff as well. We love the summer because it gives staff a wonderful chance to learn and grow with our young participants.

Being that we were unable to bring the youth to our facilities last summer, we came up with the wonderful idea to bring summer

camp to them in their homes through our “Rec 2 Go” summer camp drive-thru bag distributions.

We chose six sites throughout our county to host drive-thru events and distributed over 600 “Rec 2 Go” bags. These bags were filled with exciting games and toys, including, board games, puzzles, coloring and activity books, arts and crafts, playing cards, jump ropes, jacks, basketballs, soccer balls, plastic bats and balls, frisbees, boomerangs, Play Doh, fidget spinners, bluetooth speakers, as well as kid-sized masks and small hand sanitizers.

We were able to partner with a local feeding program to provide a meal and a snack with every bag. This program not only showed our ability as an agency to adapt to the times but more importantly provided a much-needed service to the community.

Due to the success of these events, we will look to continue to provide “Rec 2 Go” summer distributions to youth in communities who are unable to attend our summer camps.

This is one example of how we as an agency were able to live up to our mission of enriching lives and connecting communities through diverse recreational opportunities.

Summer 2021 • SOUTH CAROLINA Recreation and Parks 19

Resuming the Hopelands Concert Series Post-Pandemic in Aiken

By Alison Cribb, Recreation Program Coordinator, City of Aiken PRT There are many signature events that showcase the beauty of South Carolina and the wonderful programs that PRT professionals across the state work tirelessly to host for their communities. The pandemic stole a lot of those opportunities from us last summer, but sweet summertime is here again, and we are back in action in Aiken doing what we love.

With support from the community, we have successfully kicked off the 47th Annual Hopelands Concert Series (the 46th will

live in infamy with an asterisk thanks to Covid). Outdoor concerts are scheduled every Monday evening in April, May, and June. So far, just two performances in, we have had fantastic weather and an overwhelmingly positive response, having entertained over 400 people in attendance – spread across our beautiful gardens. Flags are used to guide proper social distancing. The artists are excited to perform in front of real audiences again and everyone else is happy to enjoy some sunshine and live music.

The artists are excited to perform in front of real audiences again and everyone else is happy to enjoy some sunshine and live music.

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Staff overcame two major challenges organizing the series, knowing this was something our community wanted and needed.

First, many of the bands that participated in seasons past were no longer performing. This forced us to expand our community reach and the wonderful world of social media to find local musicians who were actively performing; then recruit them to perform at our free event. The second big challenge was generating revenue through sponsorships. 2020 was a rough

year financially for most of our local businesses. After months of solicitation, we eventually solidified funding for each of the 13 concerts to end up with the series fully supported!

Someone said, “Covid can’t stop the fun.” They were 100% right. We needed a little extra time to plan and find new ways to do things, but we have got it figured out now. Here’s to some summer fun in 2021!

Summer 2021 • SOUTH CAROLINA Recreation and Parks 21

Charleston County Parks Adapts Programs, Events During Pandemic

By Nick Krueger, Marketing Social Media Coordinator at Charleston County Park & Recreation Commission When the world started to gradually reopen last summer and masks became a part of daily life, Charleston County Parks knew recreation opportunities weren’t going to look the same.

From our climbing wall to concerts and races, our staff got to work brainstorming how to give guests a safe opportunity to be outdoors.

For our Sprint Triathlon Series, we lowered the capacity and had an individual staggered start with six feet of distance between racers. Staff and volunteers were required to wear masks and bike rack placement was adjusted to promote social distancing.

To limit the crowds, we asked that only racers show up at the event and promised a Facebook Live feed so families could cheer the participants on from home.

“You and your team did an amazing job,” one customer said.

“At 71 years young, I was concerned that I would not feel safe and would need to bail out. At no time did I feel unsafe. Your team’s attention to detail is amazing.”

At our Climbing Wall, we shifted from a walk-up and drop-in attendance format to time slots with limited capacity. Climbers signed-up online or over the phone. Safety equipment such as harnesses, which couldn’t withstand the chemical disinfectants, were quarantined for 72 hours after a customer used it. We also added more auto-belays to reduce risk by eliminating hundreds of feet of high touch ropes. In turn, we lowered the demands and the possibility of Covid-19 exposure to staff.

For our customers with disabilities who are more vulnerable to Covid-19 infections, our Festival and Event Team created a

“At 71 years young, I was concerned that I would not feel safe and would need to bail out. At no time did I feel unsafe. Your team’s attention to detail is amazing.”

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“Virtual Inclusive Dance Party” over Zoom which could be done from the safety of their own home. Participants were required to register in advance and were then sent a zoom link via email to join the event. We used a zoom functionality called “spotlighting” to highlight participants’ best moves. We even had participants from our local children’s hospital attend virtually from their hospital room.

“I’m very proud of the way our staff rose to the occasion to provide safe and desperately needed programs and services during COVID,” Charleston County Parks Director of Recreation and ADA Coordinator Steve Hutton said.

“The past year would have been even more difficult without their creativity in coming up with innovative ways to serve the public throughout our parks.”

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Summer 2021 • SOUTH CAROLINA Recreation and Parks 23

Progress During a Pandemic By: Rebekah Parker, Assistant Recreation Manager, Spartanburg County Parks It’s out with the old and in with the new at several of our community centers across Spartanburg County. While the buildings were closed to the public, it opened up the opportunity for us to give them a major facelift. Three community centers were at the top of our list, including one that had not seen any major updates in over four decades.

The Woodruff Leisure Center’s updates centered on our senior population. It’s been around since the late 1990s and the gym floor was showing its age. The tiles were cracked and starting to come loose, providing little stability and cushioning for senior activities. We applied for the Permanent Improvement Project Grant from the Lt. Governor’s Office on Aging and received money to help fund the much needed updates. This new floor will provide greater safety and functionality for our senior activities.

The T.W Edwards Center dates back to the 1970s and was in desperate need of a remodel. Before we called in the contractors, our staff had a few demo Chesnee Community Center renovation The Chesnee Community Center was built days and took everything down to the in the early 2000s and was originally just studs, allowing us to see the true scope a senior center. Through the years, the building had become of work. As you can imagine, we quickly found out this would very outdated and was in need of quite a few upgrades. not be a small undertaking. The to-do list is long: reconfiguring Goodbye flowery carpet – hello new floors! We also put a fresh wiring and plumbing to bring them up to code, installing new coat of paint on the walls and revamped our fitness center by floors, removing wood paneling, hanging drywall and lastly, adding new equipment. painting the interior and exterior. A big part of the project includes bringing some local history back to life through the While this past year has certainly brought its challenges, we mural on the side of the building. It was painted in 2005 as a were happy to find a silver lining. We are so proud of what we way to honor local community members. We asked the original accomplished while the buildings were closed and we can’t wait artist to come back and give her work a fresh coat of paint, to invite the community back in! restoring it to its former glory!

Restoring the mural at T.W. Edwards Center

While this past year has certainly brought its challenges, we were happy to find a silver lining.

24 SOUTH CAROLINA Recreation and Parks • www.scrpa.org

Woodruff Leisure Center before remodel

Woodruff Leisure Center after remodel

Chesnee Community Center upgrades

Summer 2021 • SOUTH CAROLINA Recreation and Parks 25

FCPR Opens New Community Fitness Center By: Lucas Vance, Fairfield County Parks & Recreation Athletic Coordinator Fairfield County Parks and Recreation recently opened a state-of-the-art Community Fitness Center. Despite facing new challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, staff utilized the time to revitalize a dilapidated building that formerly housed a school lunchroom. The building’s prime location is adjacent to the athletic fields at Drawdy Park. Fairfield County Parks and Recreation Health and Fitness Specialist Lynn Tanner was elated for the opening of the new facility.

“I believe this facility will help our community and allow them to do more activities and have more independence in their daily living. I am so thrilled to be a part of this wonderful team,” Tanner stated.

26 SOUTH CAROLINA Recreation and Parks • www.scrpa.org

The facility cover 5,000 square feet with over a dozen exerciserelated machines that help with cardio training, weight training and flexibility. In addition, there is an exercise studio that will house all of the fitness classes. Tanner emphasized that the renovations were done at a minimal cost.

“Our staff was able to take a dilapidated building and turn it into something the community can be proud of,” she noted.

“The project was completed through grants, PARD money and renovations done mostly with county maintenance staff.”

With services and facilities gradually reopening around the state, citizens in Fairfield County have been intrigued and eager to utilize the new fitness center.

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Tragedy Inspires Change for Good Abbey’s Hope Charitable Foundation Works to Improve Pool Safety

By Alison Petri, Program Manager, Abbey’s Hope Foundation

In June of 2007, six-year old Abigail Taylor suffered a horrific injury while swimming in a public pool. That injury ultimately took her life. Abbey was playing in a wading pool when she unknowingly sat on a drain that was poorly maintained and unequipped with the appropriate safety devices. The powerful suction of the pool eviscerated Abbey. Her small intestine was ripped from her body. The serious injury was followed by nine months of medical care, including 16 different surgeries, many organ transplants, several infections and many, many nights spent in a hospital bed. Despite the best medical care and attention, Abbey died.

Abbey’s hope was that no child should ever suffer like she did as a result of an improperly maintained pool. In her memory and in response to their daughter’s stated wish, her parents, Scott and Katey Taylor, established the Abbey’s Hope Charitable Foundation. The Foundation works every day to make sure that all pools, both public and private, are safe.

Since the Foundation’s inception, it has helped the Minnesota State Legislature craft and pass the Abigail Taylor Pool & Spa Safety Act that requires all pubic pools in the state to be equipped with safety devices that help prevent entrapments and eviscerations. The Foundation has also worked with the United States Congress

to pass the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act (VGB), which does for the nation’s public pools what the Abigail Taylor Pool & Spa Safety Act does for Minnesota pools.

near-drowning. There are approximately 383,000 cardiac arrests each year, and 88% of them happen at home. Why risk being ill prepared if the tragic happened to someone right in front of your eyes?

The law requires manufacturers of antientrapment drain covers to provide a “life span” for each cover. The expiration date is required because pool chemicals, UV rays and ordinary wear and tear can break down the plastic and screws. Drains, overtime or past their expiration dates, can become ineffective or easily break, making them a life-threatening danger to any child in the pool.

Effective bystander, hands-only, CPR provided immediately after a sudden cardiac arrest can triple a victim’s chance of survival. Hands-only CPR (CPR with just chest compressions) has been proven to be as effective as CPR with breaths in treating adult cardiac arrest victims. Parents should take classes in first aid as well.

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, there has not been a single death in a public pool or spa due to entrapment, entanglement, or evisceration since VGB went into effect. In order to continue preventing preventable deaths, Abbey’s Hope recommends that drain covers be replaced as pools are maintained during the off-season. Public pool and spa operators should replace expired drain covers even if they look fine.

Today, several years after Abbey’s tragic death and after the passage of VGB, Abbey’s Hope continues to work to prevent the preventable. To that end, Abbey’s Hope wants to remind parents, caregivers and pool and spa owners and operators that they too play an important role in protecting kids from drowning and entrapments: Teach swimming and lifesaving skills Make sure children know how to swim, float, tread water and get in and out of the pool safely. The importance of swimming lessons in saving lives cannot be overstated.

Learn CPR - Cardiac arrests are more common than you think, and they can happen at anytime and any place, including public or private pools due to a

28 SOUTH CAROLINA Recreation and Parks • www.scrpa.org

Install barriers - An average of 280 children under the age of five drown each year in swimming pools, and far too many of those deaths are in inexpensive, inflatable pools that have been incorrectly deemed less dangerous than pools with a “deep end.”

Inflatable pools that are about 2-feet deep can cost as little as $50, and larger pools that are up to 4-feet deep and 18-feet wide can cost under $400. The price makes these pools easily accessible to parents and the low barrier to entry makes them easily accessible to children. The sides of inflatable pools are flexible, often slanted and low, making it easy for a child to quickly climb in without supervision.

All backyard pools should be fenced on all sides with a four-to-five foot high fence.

Gates should be self-latching and locking.

Spas and hot tubs should be covered and locked when not in use.

Avoid dangerous drains - If loose, missing or broken drain covers are spotted, pool or spa operators should be notified immediately. Tie up long hair or secure hair with a swim cap. Warn children to stay away from drains or other openings.

Be vigilant - Make sure an adult is watching children in the pool, spa and open bodies of water at all times.

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, there has not been a single death in a public pool or spa due to entrapment, entanglement, or evisceration since VGB went into effect.

Abbey’s Hope strongly recommends that parents share water supervision responsibilities with other parents, which is why the foundation created the “Water Watchdog Tag” system. The supervising parent or adult wears the “Water Watchdog Tag” until he or she passes the responsibility and the tag on the next parent or adult.

Find out more about Abbey’s Hope at abbeyshope.org. Or reach out to Alison Petri, Abbey’s Hope Program Manager at alison@abbeyshope.org.

The adult wearing the tag pledges: • To

maintain constant visual contact with the children in the designated group (even if a lifeguard is present).

• Not

to drink alcohol, use a phone, socialize or read while watching children.

• To

keep a phone near the water for emergency purposes.

• Remain

by the water until relieved by a new Water Watchdog.

To receive a free Water Watchdog tag, go the AbbeysHope.org and sign the pledge to protect children. Together, with the proper education and safety precautions, we can prevent the preventable.

Summer 2021 • SOUTH CAROLINA Recreation and Parks 29

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WINTER ISSUE 2021 • 2021 SCRPA Member Awards • From the Ground Up: building a new facility or park; directors or senior employees who started part-time/interns, programming on a shoe-string budget • Challenge to Change: healthy living; fitness; continuing education/programs • Product Innovations: recreation, technology, accessibility Ad Deadline: October 20, 2021

WINTER BONUS: INCLUSIVE MARKETPLACE The Winter 2021 magazine include a special section, “Inclusive Recreation Marketplace.” Advertisers in the issue receive ONE COMPLIMENTARY marketplace listing to highlight products and/or services. The listing includes a full color photo, up to 50 words of text, your company name, and website. *Content subject to change. Inquire for details.

30 SOUTH CAROLINA Recreation and Parks • www.scrpa.org

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Last chance to wear a piece of SCRPA history.

Retro Logo Tee or Tank - $32 Retro Hoodie - $48 Soft, tri-blend or 100% cotton; available in 10 colors Men’s, women’s & youth sizes

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SOUTH CAROLINA RECREATION & PARKS ASSOCIATION

P.O. Box 1046 Lexington, SC 29071-1046