SCRPA Winter 2016

SOUTH CAROLINA RECREATION & PARKS ASSOCIATION

Building a Tight-Knit Community

ANYONE CAN MAKE a Difference 2 0 16

SCRPA

WINTER 2016

Some Impacts Last Forever One Person’s Impact on Spartanburg County

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SOUTH CAROLINA

TABLE OF CONTENTS Association Report........................................................................................... 4 2016 SCRPA Awards Highlights.................................................................... 6-9 From Heartbreak to Breaking New Ground in Charleston County...........10 Building a Tight-Knit Community..................................................................11

RECREATION & PARKS ASSOCIATION

Making a Difference in Florence and Beyond..............................................12 Paving the Road To Success...........................................................................12 Some Impacts Last Forever............................................................................13

2016 Board of Directors

One Person’s Impact on Spartanburg County.............................................14 Special Play 4 Special Kids in Hartsville........................................................15

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

ADVERTISER INDEX

President Eric Stewart

Central VP John Alexander

President Elect Lawanda Curry

Eastern VP David Williams

Carolina Parks and Play...................................................................................13

Vice President T. J. Rostin

Southern VP Doyle Best

Churchich Recreation & Design...................................................................... 4

Secretary Amy Evans

Western VP Ray Dunham

The Parking Place............................................................................................. 3

Treasurer Randy Gibson

Barrs Recreation...............................................................................Back Cover Carolina Recreation & Design......................................................................... 5 Most Dependable Fountain.............................................. Inside Front Cover Wood + Partners............................................................................................... 5

Thank you to our advertisers for your help in supporting SOUTH CAROLINA Recreation and Parks magazine. We kindly ask members to please support our advertisers. Interested in advertising? Contact Todd Pernsteiner at 952-841-1111 or info@pernsteiner.com.

Past President Jeff Metz

BRANCHES CBM Branch Scott Wilhide

SCAP Branch Shannon Loper

ELM Branch Mark Sexton

Student Branch Leslie Ballard

PRM Branch Josh Sullivan

SC PRT Representative Matt Elswick

ON THE COVER: Cleveland Park, Spartanburg County Parks Department

RAP Branch David Caldwell

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

Membership Services Coordinator: Melissa Williams melissa@scrpa.org

SCRPA MAGAZINE/MARKETING COMMITTEE Laurie Helms City of Rock Hill Chris Pounder Charleston County PRC

Kathy Kackley City of North Charleston Sarah Reynolds Charleston County PRC

P.O. Box 1046 • Lexington, SC 29071-1046 (p) 803-808-7753 (f) 803-808-7754

Dena Long Irmo Chapin Joshua Singleton City of Loris

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WINTER 2016 • SOUTH CAROLINA Recreation and Parks 3

by Eric Stewart and Jim Headley

THE ASSOCIATION REPORT It only seems appropriate to open this Magazine in the same disbelief that I did the first quarter of the year; it seems like just last week I was sitting down to make my first attempt at the Association Report and I cannot believe we are at the end of 2016.

It has truly been a great year for the Association and I could not have enjoyed my time as President any more than I did. It will be hard to turn over the gavel and pin to your next President Lawanda Curry, but I think I’ll manage somehow. I would like to say a sincere THANK YOU to everyone on the Board of Directors, all Committees, Branches, Districts, and anyone else who helped to make 2016 a great year. We had some brand new faces and some longtime members but together everyone worked as one team to achieve our goals. I also own a huge debt of gratitude to Jim and Melissa.

These two behind-the-scenes folks keep the Association moving forward as different people come and go from year to year.

Over the course of this year I have been fortunate enough to see some great examples of what our profession has to offer, meet some wonderful people, and learn more about what impacts that parks and recreation can have on communities within our great state. I was also able to see the comparisons and contrasts of our state to others across the nation, and I can say without a doubt that we are truly one of the leaders as an Association. And, we have a sound, strong membership to back that up; we are over 1,120 strong now!

Over the course of this year I have been fortunate enough to see some great examples of what our profession has to offer, meet some wonderful people, and learn more about what impacts that parks and recreation can have on communities within our great state.

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

The theme of this issue is “Anyone Can Make a Difference.”

This could not be truer for our profession or our Association.

The amount of people we touch through our parks and programs is amazing. I have heard countless stories that could make this issue much longer, but our incredible Magazine Committee picked out some great examples to share with the membership. As I wrap up my year as President, I will leave asking one favor – please get involved and participate in the Association. Its success is dependent on our willingness to step forward and make a difference!

Eric & Jim

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WINTER 2016 • SOUTH CAROLINA Recreation and Parks 5

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SCRPA

By Laurie Helms, Rock Hill Parks, Recreation and Tourism

After another successful SCRPA Annual Conference, we’d like to share the stories of the individuals and organizations who received recognition through the Association’s 2016 Awards Program.

Programming Excellence Award (Population over 30,000)

as The SCRPA Board of Directors and the Awards

and Citations Committee urge members to plan now for next year’s Awards Program. Be thinking of volunteers, organizations, government officials, staff members, programs and parks that have made significant contributions to your community and/or the parks and recreation profession. SCRPA would love to recognize and share even more achievements next year!

The

Thanks to those who submitted applications and to the members of the Awards and Citations Committee for their work this year. And a big congratulations to all award recipients. You have been recognized because of all you do to create community thorough people, parks and programs!

Members of the 2016 Awards and Citations Committee: Shane Duncan (Chair), Josh Blackstone (Vice Chair), Tandra Cooks, Michelle Drawdy, Jennifer Majors

INDIVIDUAL SCRPA MEMBER AWARDS The State Merit recipient is chosen from among the recipients of the RAP, EMB and SCAP Professionals of the Year and the District Merit award winners.

STATE MERIT AWARD TAMMY WOODS Recreation Director, Leroy Springs Recreation Complex

Tammy Woods manages a full spectrum of activities and staff as Recreation Director at the Leroy Springs Recreation Complex. Since her start as a program manager in 1993, she has seen the tremendous growth of recreation at the Complex and the Anne Springs Close Greenway.

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Among other accomplishments in 2016, Tammy’s leadership has led to summer camp enrollments of 2,200+, Town of Fort Mill Parks and Recreation enrollments of 530+, and programming and staffing of 113 camp sessions. Tammy also sustains a strong aquatics program with well-trained lifeguards and three swim teams, one of which won the 2016 Greater Charlotte Swim League title.

Tammy has led sessions at SCRPA’s Annual Conference, the Programming Summit, and the RAP Branch summer camp seminar.

Her enjoyment of teaching, programming, managing and directing makes her a good role model for others.

The SCRPA Young Professional of the Year recipient must be in the parks and recreation profession for at least three years and no more than 15 years and a member in good standing of SCRPA and professionally certified through the NRPA. This award considers service, leadership, and character.

YOUNG PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR DOYLE BEST Director, Town of Summerville Parks & Recreation

Doyle Best holds a B.S. in Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management from Clemson University and an Associate’s degree in Horticulture Technology from Trident Technical College. He is a CPRP and a graduate of SCRPA’s LEAD program.

In just nine years, Doyle has risen from an entry level position to Town of Summerville’s Parks & Recreation Director. He has gone from recommending companies on $20 purchase orders to leading million dollar projects in the community. His staff has grown from zero to over 50 and he now leads a nationally recognized festival.

Doyle has served on various SCRPA District committees and currently serves on the Board of Directors. He has contributed a lot in a relatively short period of time. Although no one knows what the future holds, based on the past history, the future looks very bright for Doyle Best.

The SCRPA Professional of the Year recipient must be in the parks and recreation profession at least 15 years, a member of SCRPA for at least five years and hold a professional certification through NRPA. This award considers service, leadership, and character.

PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR DON SHUMAN Parks Maintenance and Development Division Director, Greenville County Parks, Recreation & Tourism

Don Shuman is an outstanding example of a professional who has a profound impact on his community, his staff and his profession.

Don received his B.S. in Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management from Clemson in 1991 and flourished on a parks maintenance career path initially at the City of Greenville. Then, in 2006, Don became Greenville County Parks, Recreation & Tourism’s Parks Maintenance and Development Division Director.

Don handles an operating budget of $4 million along with the maintenance and development of 55 parks covering 800 square miles, serving over 450,000 residents. With the passage of a countywide hospitality tax, Don executed a massive capital building program with notable projects including: MeSA Soccer Complex, Cedar Falls Park, Conestee Park, Northwest Park, Cory Burns Park, David Jackson Park and many others.

A member of SCRPA and NPRA since 1999, Don is a CPRP, a graduate of SCRPA’s LEAD program and has attended NRPA’s Executive Development School. He has chaired the SCRPA Parks and Resource Management Branch for six years and received the Western District Merit Award. Don has served SCRPA as Vice President, President Elect, President and Past President/Board Member. Recent SCRPA Past Presidents have commented on the value of his wisdom and guidance. Additionally, Don has served for five years as an NRPA CPSI Certification Committee Member.

Don believes in service, sacrifice and character. He is very dedicated to the Boy Scouts of America and exemplifies the characteristics of the Boy Scout Law. Don is also very committed to his church but would say his most important role is that of husband and father. Don has improved the lives of thousands within Greenville County and stands as an example of a “servant leader.”

The Robert L. Reid Lifetime Achievement and Hall of Fame Award recognizes lifetime achievement in the parks and recreation profession and is awarded to a professional or citizen with a minimum of 20 years of service to the profession. The recipient must have actively promoted the parks and recreation profession through presentations, writings and service in their community, the state and our nation.

ROBERT L. REID LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AND HALL OF FAME AWARD DOUG ECHOLS Mayor, City of Rock Hill

Doug Echols’ background includes earning three college degrees and holding titles from teacher to Commissioner of the South Atlantic Conference (SAC). Since 1998, Echols has served as Mayor of Rock Hill with two prior terms on City Council.

As Mayor, Echols has provided leadership, vision, and support for projects and initiatives including the construction and operation of: Cherry Park, Hargett Park, River Park, the Rock Hill Tennis Center, Manchester Meadows, the Giordana Velodrome, the Novant Health BMX Supercross Track, the enhancement and expansion of Glencairn Garden, and the establishment of the 2% local hospitality tax. These venues are used for non-structured and programmed activities, special events and tourism activities, with the added benefit of creating a positive economic impact. In 2015, the City’s major sports facilities alone created over $21.5 million in direct economic impact.

Echols supported the establishment of the Rock Hill Parks Foundation and endorsed an awareness campaign, “The #1 Question: Is It Good for the Children?” And during Echols’ tenure, Rock Hill has received numerous awards including the America’s Promise “100 Best Communities for Young People,” Livability.com’s “Top 10 Soccer Cities (ranked #4),” and the League of American Bicyclists “Bicycle Friendly Community Bronze Level.”

Looking to the future, Echols helped establish the Rock Hill Sports Commission and supported an $8.1 million local hospitality tax bond for improvements to aging sports tourism facilities. He supports future cycling facilities at the Rock Hill Outdoor Center and an indoor sports facility in the downtown area. Echols values the work of boards, commissions, and advisory committees who provide input to City Council, and he leads his community with determination and vision.

The SCRPA Board of Directors and the Awards and Citations Committee urge members to plan now for next year’s Awards Program.

Be thinking of volunteers, organizations, government officials, staff members, programs and parks that have made significant contributions to your community and/or the parks and recreation profession. SCRPA would love to recognize and share even more achievements next year!

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SCRPA

PARKS AND PROGRAMS EXCELLENCE

Four agency awards are given for Parks Excellence and Programming Excellence in two different population categories: 30,000 and under and over 30,000. The Programming Excellence award recognizes any recreation program or special event an agency offers. The Parks Excellence award recognizes a new, renovated or revitalized park.

PROGRAMMING EXCELLENCE AWARD (POPULATION UNDER 30,000)

PROGRAMMING EXCELLENCE AWARD (POPULATION OVER 30,000) CAMP SPEARHEAD Greenville County Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department NEWBERRY ARTS PROGRAM City of Newberry

With the emergence of the Newberry Arts Program, City of Newberry residents have gone from being part of the audience to being participants in the “show.” The program was formed out of the City’s Parks, Recreation & Tourism Department’s desire to offer a visual arts program to complement and round out the community’s existing art offerings which include the Newberry Opera House and the Ritz Theater. The program has had strong city management support, not only in theory and vision, but financially.

Community support includes varied partnerships and dedicated volunteers who help provide the arts experience to everyone in the community, regardless of age or ability to pay. In less than two years, the program has attracted a nationally renowned watercolor artist as an artist-in-residence and a world renowned clay artist as a presenter and advisor for the SC Clay Conference which was also established through the program. City of Newberry residents now enjoy being part of the “show.”

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Greenville County’s Camp Spearhead serves 90 campers per week each summer, providing a unique residential camp experience for youth and adults with special needs and disabilities. Hosted at Pleasant Ridge Camp and Retreat Center, a facility built specifically for Camp Spearhead campers, the program provides opportunities for recreation, personal growth, and the development of a sense of belonging.

Activities like swimming, archery, canoeing, crafts, challenge courses and more help improve campers’ daily living and social skills.

The camp is available to all ages, and campers have a variety of special needs and disabilities. Campers do not “age out” at Camp Spearhead, and they are accepted regardless of their ability to meet their own personal needs. Camp Spearhead and its sister Weekend Program serve approximately 500 families annually, with the impact seen in the personal victories, the group companionship, and the transformation of the lives of parents and staff.

PARKS EXCELLENCE AWARD (POPULATION UNDER 30,000) ANNE SPRINGS CLOSE GREENWAY Leroy Springs & Company

Anne Springs Close’s vision to “save a few trees” and her family’s dedication of 2,000 acres of land for public use in 1989 have provided Fort Mill, SC locals a place to get outside and enjoy nature.

The land, a natural wildlife refuge with 40 miles of trails, is protected from development by a conservation easement held by the Nation Ford Land Trust. In recent years, strategic and master planning efforts have provided direction for expanding the Greenway’s amenities while a board-led capital campaign helped raise over $12.7 million to put the plan into action.

In 2013, the Marion Walsh Outdoor Classroom, a waterfront setting for summer camps, education programs and social functions was added. Then in 2015, two new amenities opened: the Comporium Amphitheater, an outdoor concert venue with natural seating for 1,500, and the Mary Warner Mack Dog Park, a 12 acre New Timberline Trail Re-Route membership-based dog park with over a mile of off-leash trail leading to lake-front access. Upgrades to welcome stations, parking areas, restrooms, wayfinding and trail additions have also been made and, together with the new venues, keep the vision of Anne Close thriving for the Fort Mill community.

PARKS EXCELLENCE AWARD (POPULATION OVER 30,000) CLEVELAND PARK Spartanburg County Parks Department

In 2011, Cleveland Park went from a well-loved and visited park to a quiet reminder of a tragic event. The park sat empty for over four years. Then a revitalization brought healing through the community-build playground project. For the build, people from all walks of life came together to put their time, energy, passion and love back into the park that held so many wonderful memories. Even the family that lost their child came to the park every day of the build to encourage and support the volunteers. It was a powerful and emotional week.

At the end of the six day build, volunteers stepped back and the construction company finished the work. The project utilized more than 10,000 volunteer hours representing 44 companies, agencies and organizations as well as many individuals from surrounding neighborhoods and across Spartanburg County. The rebuilt park opened to the public in March 2016. After a formal grand opening event, hundreds of excited kids poured into a one-of-a-kind Spartanburg-centric playground, starting a new chapter in the long history of Cleveland Park.

CHAMPIONS FOR OUR COMMUNITY

This award celebrates individual citizens and community organizations across South Carolina. These awards are presented locally at an event selected by the nominating agency so the entire community can celebrate together with the award recipient.

CHAMPION FOR OUR COMMUNITY: INDIVIDUAL JOYCE JENKINS Orangeburg, SC

Joyce Jenkins realized that many youth in Orangeburg, SC were being lost to gangs and violence. In 1993, along with a group of concerned parents, she was one of the founders of a youth organization called Youth Against Violence and Drugs. The organization brought youth together from Orangeburg and Calhoun Counties as an intervention. Joyce loves softball, and after having enough children involved, she decided to teach them how to play the game. This required patience, passion and use of her morals and ethics. This was Joyce.

Joyce’s motto is “all children are worth saving and if I can just reach one child and save him/her, then I have done what my Father has ordered me to do.” She is a member of the Trustee Board, Young People Division Director, Youth Advisor, and a Sunday School teacher. Joyce Jenkins is a true champion for her community!

LEGISLATOR OF THE YEAR W. BRIAN WHITE House District 6 Anderson County

Representative White is recognized as Legislator of the Year for securing an additional $5 million for the Park and Recreation Development (PARD) Fund in one-time monies and for helping stabilize the fund at a minimum level of $3 million per year annually. Without these funds, many areas would not have the ability to provide facilities and services to their citizens.

When Governor Haley vetoed the one-time monies to the PARD Fund, Rep. White took to the House floor to make sure all House members understood the importance of the program, especially those in the more rural areas of the state. His passion and dedication led to an override of the Governor’s veto!

Rep. White currently serves as the Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, and he served as South Carolina’s Legislative Sportsman Caucus Chairman from 2011 – 2013. He currently serves as an Executive Committee member of the National Assembly of Sportsman Caucuses, on the Palmetto Pride Board and formally on the Clemson University Forest and Natural Resources Advisory Board. For these reasons, and many more, we are honored to have Rep. W. Brian White as the 2016 SCRPA Legislator of the Year.

WINTER 2016 • SOUTH CAROLINA Recreation and Parks 9

ANYONE CAN MAKE a Difference From Heartbreak to Breaking New Ground in Charleston County

By Dana Rasmussen, Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission Sometimes it takes a tragedy to spark change.

In 2014, the Genesis Project was initiated after a child drowned in Hollywood, SC. That child was Genesis Holmes.

According to his mother, Jennifer Holmes, Genesis drowned while swimming with a friend in a neighborhood pond.

“He didn’t know how to swim,” Holmes said. “Genesis had no concept of how to survive in the water. He didn’t even have a chance.”

Because of her son’s tragic death, Holmes knew she had to do something. That’s how she got involved with The Parklands Foundation and became a board member in 2015. This foundation is a 501c3 created in 1990 by the Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission (CCPRC) to generate funding for the continued growth and development of the park system.

The Parklands Foundation established the Genesis Project to build pools in rural Charleston County communities that have a high percentage of residents who do not know how to swim. Holmes was a driving force behind the project, which will fund building, maintenance, programming and ongoing expenses of the pools.

Drowning is the fifth-leading cause of unintentional injury-related death for children ages 1-14 in the United States.

“We have to get people in the community to learn how to swim so that this doesn’t happen again,” Holmes said. “Genesis was my baby and through him we will help others in our communities learn how to be safe in the water.”

Holmes said that she hopes these pools will help individuals of any age learn to have fun in the water while staying safe. Holmes herself learned to swim even though she had grown up fearful of the water. But now she wants to be an example for others, and even hopes to become a lifeguard.

Genesis Holmes

“We have no control over life and death, but we have to be able to give ourselves a chance to survive,” Holmes said. “It’s important to learn how to swim and how to be safe around the water.”

The pools the Genesis Project will build will be located in the areas of Johns Island, Awendaw/McClellanville and Ravenel/Hollywood. CCPRC has secured $2 million to build the first pool on Johns Island, and continues to raise funds to cover the remaining two pools and related costs.

To learn more about the Genesis Project, visit TheParklandsFoundation.org.

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Jennifer Holmes

Building a Tight-Knit Community

By Allison Bonner, City of Charleston Recreation Department was approved by former mayor, Joe Riley.

Enough Pie worked with South Carolina Electric & Gas to coordinate a safe display of the yarn bomb by their trained technicians and heavy equipment trucks.

St. Julian Devine Community Center (SJDCC) is located in the historic Eastside district of Charleston, SC. Sitting at the base of the Arthur Ravenel, Jr. Bridge off of East Bay Street, SJDCC offers youth and adult activities, special events, and afterschool programs. Brenda Shokes has been the manager over the facility for the past nine years and is always eager to bring programs to engage the community.

When she first met with Cathryn Zommer of the non-profit organization, Enough Pie, sparks flew. Shokes said, “I knew we would do awesome things together.”

Cathryn set up the meeting with Brenda to pitch a collaborative project with the community to create a unique art form – a yarn bomb. A yarn bomb is a colorful display made with yarn and fibers typically seen in street art to cover telephone poles, benches, trees, and much more. Cathryn and Brenda aspired to exceed the normal bounds and stretch a yarn bomb around the center’s historic 120 foot smoke stacks that overlook the city to be revealed in a celebration on Valentine’s Day. The “Love Bomb” event

Inspired and determined to bring something new to Charleston, Shokes and Zommer starting spreading the word and began a knitting circle on Monday nights. The group created 3x3 ft. square blocks that were sewn together for the final piece. Stitch by stitch, the love bomb was created and wrapped around the smoke stack the week of Valentine’s Day. The community celebrated the unveiling with music, dancing, BBQ, cake, art, and so much more.

The collaborative effort with the City of Charleston and Enough Pie not only knit squares for art, but also knit the community together. Shokes was inspired by the Love Bomb event and is looking forward to doing more innovative and creative community events in the future.

She said, “We serve such a diverse community; it is important that we come together to inspire each other.” SJDCC and Enough Pie will continue to join forces with a common goal of engaging the community.

For more information on the City of Charleston Recreation Department, visit www.charleston-sc.gov/recreation.

Enough Pie is a Charleston-based nonprofit organization that uses creativity to connect and empower their community.

Learn more at www.enoughpie.org.

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making a difference in florence and beyond

By Darlene Buchanan, City of Florence Making a difference in young lives is increasingly harder to do in the post-millennial mindset of today’s youth. It is very important to pause from time to time to thank those who continue to give of themselves as volunteers.

Acknowledging those we depend on to keep certain aspects of our programs afloat is important but in the case of Julie Allen, it is not recognition that keeps her coming back; she comes because she loves impacting young lives and Julie Allen believes in making a difference in our community. Julie has become somewhat of a pseudo staff member one may say.

Julie is many things - wife, mother, daughter, sister, philanthropist, and friend – but perhaps it is her role as a volunteer for which she is best known - particularly by the 200 plus strong Florence Track Club participants, parents, and coaches. She has coached with the club since 2003. Her main responsibilities have been as the High Jump Coach and as the Assistant Head Coach. From 2005 – 2014, she coached the Cross Country program. She has also served for several years as a board member and is the current Treasurer. She takes these responsibilities seriously but ensures

that everyone finds some level of success. As an avid runner herself, she not only coaches and mentors young athletes, she demonstrates her dedication to the sport by running in marathons and other charitable races in the area and region.

Julie’s involvement extends well beyond the perimeter of the track.

In recent years, it has extended beyond the borders of the United States. In 2015 and in 2016, she traveled internationally as the head coach of the track team that competed in the 49th and 50th International Children’s Games held in Alkmaar, Netherlands, and New Taipei City, Taiwan, respectively. While serving as head track coach, she ensured the safety of all participants but also promoted competition and fair sportsmanship. During these weeklong games, Julie ensured the athletes participated in cultural events that enhanced their international experience. Under her guidance, the youth realized an unparalleled appreciation and tolerance for others who come from different backgrounds.

Finally, as with all programs, budgets for participating in activities have to be supplemented by fundraising, and it is through these efforts that Julie continues her support of the track program. She can always be seen washing vehicles, preparing BBQ plates, selling raffle tickets and seeking donations and sponsorships, for all things track. Through her many community contacts, Julie has been personally responsible for thousands of dollars being raised in support of track and field programs. We thank you Julie Allen – we couldn’t and wouldn’t want to do any of these things without you!

paving the road to success

By Samantha Radford, City of Aiken Parks, Recreation and Tourism Austen Magness, a recent high school graduate, participated in a summer-long work experience provided by the Aiken County South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation Department and the City of Aiken Parks, Recreation, and Tourism (PRT) Department.

SC Vocational Rehabilitation partners with local businesses to provide paid work experiences for students with disabilities so they may begin to prepare for work following high school.

During his work experience with the City of Aiken PRT Department, Austen was able to assist with the Hopelands Summer Concert Series. Austen was responsible for monitoring concert attendance during each performance; assisting with concert procedures including set up and break down of signage, sound equipment, tables, chairs, and the welcome station; assisting with opening and closing procedures of Hopelands Gardens and Odell Weeks; and handling tasks assigned as needed, such as welcoming guests and passing out programs.

These tasks he carried out offered tremendous support and contributed to the success of the concert series.

Throughout Austen’s work experience with the PRT Department, he gained valuable work skills that have assisted him in pursuing meaningful employment. We are proud of the work

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Austen Magness

Shayne Streaty, City of Aiken PRT

Austen accomplished and happy that our staff and other community volunteers could help make a difference in moving his career path forward. Even more so, Austen has made a difference within the City of Aiken PRT Department, paving the way for other students who come after him. We look forward to continuing to work with the Aiken County SC Vocational Rehabilitation Department. Through partnerships like these, anyone can make a difference!

some impacts LAST Forever

By Joshua Singleton, City of Loris Most of the time he did not know a single player who was on the team for which he was volunteering.

He will admit that he was only following the examples set by the coaches he had when he was growing up.

Lacy Hardee

While some coaches only have an impact for a season or maybe two, Lacy Hardee has been doing so with the City of Loris’ Recreation Department for over thirty years. In this time, Lacy has coached baseball, football, basketball, and soccer. While he coached just about everything that was offered by the department, the overwhelming majority of his time was spent on the baseball field.

Baseball was his love growing up and still is to this day, as anyone who has ever had a conversation with him can attest to. In 1995, Lacy was part of the coaching staff that won the Palmetto Youth Small Fry age 10 and under state championship. He was able to create a bond with the players on that team that has lasted to this day. Every person that has played for him has a story of how he positively impacted their lives.

While Lacy coached football, basketball, and soccer, it was mainly due to difficulties finding a head coach. He did it because of the fact that he truly cares for the children of the Loris community.

For the past eighteen years, Lacy has transitioned from being a coach to a full-time writer for a local newspaper.

Some recent and persistent health issues have helped facilitate this transition. This has allowed him to still be at the fields and have an impact but in a much different way. On any given night you can see him taking pictures of the games, talking in the stands to his former players who are now parents, and using the sights and sounds as a topic for his next editorial.

Anyone can truly make a difference in the community. For over 30 years, Lacy Hardee has been a fixture at the City of Loris Recreation Department and in the Loris community. To list everyone who had their lives positively impacted by him would be impossible; there are simply too many to mention.

So on behalf of every player you coached, parent you talked with, and coach you worked beside, a deep and very heartfelt thank you goes to you from the department. Every recreation department should be so lucky to have someone like Lacy Hardee.

Anyone can truly make a difference in the community. For over 30 years, Lacy Hardee has been a fixture at the City of Loris Recreation Department and in the Loris community.

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One Person’s Impact on Spartanburg County

Carolina Miracle League end of season celebration

By Marcia Murff, Spartanburg Parks Pam Dean, Executive Director of Carolina Miracle League, started the organization out of love for individuals with physical and mental disabilities. In 1998, she started serving on the Spartanburg County Disabilities and Special Needs Board because she wanted to be an advocate for her son, Jonathan. It was during her time on the Special Needs Board that a fellow board member brought in a video of a fully accessible baseball field in Conyers, Georgia. Dean thought, “If they could do it, why couldn’t we?”

Dean began taking steps to make this dream a reality. She formed a steering committee, secured a land donation from Spartanburg County, and worked with the steering committee to secure the funding needed to construct the field. Once the field was complete, Dean began looking

at other ways to build upon the success they were having. Next was to provide an inclusive playground. Once again, she worked tirelessly to raise the money needed. Now, at North Spartanburg Park, adjacent to the fully accessible baseball field, sits an inclusive playground.

Dean reflects on the accomplishments: “We officially started playing on the field in April 2007 with 52 players.

The Carolina Miracle League is now a destination and provides the only organized baseball league for individuals with disabilities in the county. Currently, we are serving 150+ players.”

However, the building of the field and the players involved are not the only ones impacted. On Monday and Thursday nights, during the spring and fall, over 500 volunteers serve as buddies as they are paired with participants in the

Pam Dean’s son Jonathan

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program. This experience has been extremely rewarding for the volunteers and has built a growing group of advocates of individuals with disabilities.

Pam Dean is at the Carolina Miracle League Field for every single game; she knows the names of all the players and can tell you how the program has had a positive impact on each participant.

Kevin Stiens, Spartanburg County Parks Director, is amazed how one person can have such a positive impact on the community. “The Carolina Miracle League is a fantastic and much needed program for our community and we are very appreciative to have Pam as one of our partners. Pam is a tremendous leader, her passion and energy are contagious, and the impact that she and the Carolina Miracle League have is invaluable for Spartanburg County.”

Pam Dean with daughter Elizabeth, husband Bobby, and son Jonathan

Special Play 4 Special Kids in Hartsville

By Mary Catherine Farrell, City of Hartsville In 2014, the City of Hartsville celebrated the opening of the region’s first-ever adaptive playground for children with special needs. This was the first in a series of projects designed to fulfill the commitment ensuring all City playgrounds feature “handicapable” equipment.

The City is proud to announce that we have completed our mission. Our community celebrates this progress as a victory, one that has garnered statewide attention. However, it never would have come to fruition were it not for the tireless efforts of two exceptional women.

Angela Murph, at right of swing, pushes her son Garrison while Melissa Shumate stands to her right.

In 2013, City staff and officials met the dynamic duo of Melissa Shumate and Angela Murph. Melissa is a pediatric physical therapist and runs a children’s rehabilitation center in Hartsville, serving over 50 special needs children every week. Angela is the mother of Garrison, who has a condition known as ¬spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).

SMA Type I is a rare disease that destroys nerves and muscle cells in the spinal cord and brain stem, producing weakness in muscles used in swallowing, breathing and limb movement. When Garrison was diagnosed at four months old, doctors told Angela and her husband Leon that their child probably would not live another six months. Garrison turned eight on May 9 and is now a proud second grade student.

Just a few years ago, Angela’s heart broke every time she took her children to the park, because a lack of accessible equipment kept Garrison from playing with his older sister. The two women responded by launching the Special Play 4 Special Kids campaign. They applied their passion, insight, and experience to collaborate with the City to design spaces that allow for integrated play - where all children, regardless of ability level, could play side-by-side with their siblings and friends. Angela and Melissa have worked tirelessly to educate the community, raising over $8,000 to supplement grants and general funds contributed by the City.

Now all three of the City’s main playgrounds have integrated play spaces, and the Splash Pad offers water wheelchairs. In providing a space where all children can play together, we are instilling in our youth an awareness for those who may look or move differently. If children grow up playing with those who are different, they grow up understanding that appearance doesn’t dictate the value of a person - that we are each unique and special, and that we all deserve to be treated with respect.

These women continue to serve as advocates for the special needs community. Theirs is a story of collaboration, perseverance, and passion.

They inspire us daily to have a greater awareness and respect of the needs and perspectives of those we serve.

Melissa Shumate (center left), Garrison Murph (center), and Angela Murph (center right), cut the ribbon at the adaptive playground opening.

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SOUTH CAROLINA RECREATION & PARKS ASSOCIATION

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