SCRPA Magazine - Winter 2021

SOUTH CAROLINA

WINTER 2021

RECREATION & PARKS ASSOCIATION 2021 SCRPA Annual Conference Schedule Inside Meet the Keynote Speaker & Learn About Sessions

FROM THE GROUND UP ALSO INSIDE: • Meet the 2021-22 SCRPA Board • Here’s What’s Happening

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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 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 Meet the SCRPA Board........................................................................... 5-6 2021 SCRPA Conference........................................................................7-10 Here’s What’s Happening.................................................................... 12-13 Views from the Park Bench..................................................................14-15 From the Ground Up Spartanburg County............................................................................16 City of Charleston............................................................................18-19 Charleston County...............................................................................20 City of Barnwell.....................................................................................21 Cherokee County.................................................................................22 Town of Hilton Head Island........................................................... 24-25 City of Rock Hill............................................................................... 26-27 City of Hardeeville.......................................................................... 28-29 Richland County............................................................................. 30-31

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Student Branch Leslie Ballard City of Rock Hill

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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Winter 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 Holidays, SCRPA! As I reflect on the year, I am in awe of the tremendous amount of work that has been done across this great state. The accomplishments of our membership are impressive in a normal year but considering the world we are in right now, it is truly amazing! I would like to extend my gratitude for the 2021 Board and the support of all of the different committees, without them, we could not have accomplished everything we did. A couple highlights this year was the work done by the Diversity Equity & Inclusion (DEI) and Ways & Means committee. The efforts and strides made by these two committees has laid the foundation for DEI accountability and the financial stability of SCRPA for years to come.

Throughout the year, your Board has been hard at work, ensuring that we remain connected, that we are all provided a diverse array of professional development and educational opportunities and that

we continue advocating for the Park and Recreation profession at the state and national levels.

I would also like to recognize the conference program committee.

Thanks to this team, we will have the opportunity to once again come together, reconnect and celebrate all that we have accomplished. They have put together an impressive education package with an impressive list of speakers, who I believe are among the best we have ever had. To say that I’m excited, would be an understatement.

Thank you for allowing me to serve as your president and I look forward to seeing you all Dec 6-8th.

- Randy Woodard, SCRPA President

I would also like to recognize the conference program committee. Thanks to this team, we will have the opportunity to once again come together, reconnect and celebrate all that we have accomplished.

Save t he Dates!

2022 SCRPA MAGAZINE DEADLINES

Spring 2022 Issue - Deadline: January 22, 2022 Summer 2022 Issue - Deadline: April 16, 2022 Fall 2022 Issue - Deadline: June 18, 2022 (Includes Member Directory & Buyer’s Guide)

JOIN US AT

SCRPA! Jon Wood, PLA & Jeff Ashbaugh, PLA present “Multi-Use Trails and Ecosystem Restoration” December 8 11:00 am - 12:15 pm www.benesch.com

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

Winter 2022 Issue - Deadline: September 15, 2022 Interested in advertising?

Contact Todd Pernsteiner for advertising details at (952) 841-1111 or todd@pernsteiner.com.

Download the rate card at www.bit.ly/SCRPA22 or by scanning QR code at right.

Upcoming Events December 6-8 • Greenville, SC 76th Annual SCRPA Conference Greenville Hyatt Regency To view all upcoming events and to register, visit www.scrpa.org

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Carolina

MEET THE BOARD

2021-22 SCRPA BOARD PROFILES Randy Woodard

Alice Jones

Current board position: President

Current board position: Secretary

Current agency & title: Charleston County Parks & Recreation Commission Assistant Director of Parks

Current agency & title: Crew Chief, Palmetto Island County Park Maintenance, Charleston County Parks and Recreation Committee

Years employed or in the field of recreation: 23

Years employed or in the field of recreation: 12

What have you learned from serving or favorite experience while on the board – “SCRPA has afforded me the opportunity to meet and work with some really outstanding people. While serving on the board, I’ve been able to foster existing relationships and establish new ones. From my involvement with SCRPA, I now have a network of professionals from around that state, that I can call on anytime.

I recommend for any SCRPA member to get involved and serve as a board or committee member.”

What have you learned from serving or favorite experience while on the board - “This was my first year serving on the South Carolina Parks and Recreation Association (SCRPA) executive board as Secretary. Learning about the policies and procedures has been very interesting to see how the policies are updated and put forth.

I have enjoyed meeting everyone from the different parks in SC and what they bring from their areas of expertise. Getting to know and learn from other members has been inspiring.”

Dustin Jordan

Brian Rogers

Current board position: President Elect

Current board position: Treasurer

Current agency & title: City of Myrtle Beach, Director of Parks, Recreation, & Sports Tourism

Current agency & title: Cheraw Recreation and Leisure Services Department, Recreation Director

Years employed or in the field of recreation: 14

Years employed or in the field of recreation: 15

What have you learned from serving or favorite experience while on the board - “Since I began my career, I have always had a desire to be involved and serve in the association, which I have done in several capacities. Being on the board has really opened my eyes to everything that the association is involved in and what they do behind the scenes for our profession.

It truly is amazing and very much underappreciated. My favorite experience while serving on the board has to be the networking opportunity and just being able to work with different park and recreation professionals from around the state. The friendships and connections made are invaluable!”

Jessica Campbell Current board position: Vice President Current agency & title: City of Aiken, Director of Parks, Recreation & Tourism Years employed or in the field of recreation: 17 What have you learned from serving or favorite experience while on the board. - “I’ve served multiple roles on the board over the years, stepping down when timing was right, and stepping back up when needed. I’ve learned that it’s important to have a well-balanced board. Some members have been involved for years conveying institutional knowledge that is critical to operations, but having a fresh set of eyes bringing creative ideas to the table is extremely valuable as well.”

What have you learned from serving or favorite experience while on the board - “The most enjoyable experiences for me while serving on the board include networking with other recreation professionals from around the state to ensure a positive future and opportunities for recreation in the state of South Carolina.”

Kevin Stiens Current board position: Past President Current agency & title: Spartanburg County, Assistant County Administrator Years employed or in the field of recreation: 20 What have you learned from serving or favorite experience while on the board – “SCRPA provides tremendous value to parks and recreation professionals throughout the state.

The impact the association has on our field through professional development and its legislative platform has helped our agencies improve the quality of life of the citizens in our communities. Serving on the board has been an extremely valuable experience through the relationships I have built with other professionals and the ability to be part of decisions that affect policy change throughout the state. I would encourage all SCRPA members to get involved with the association and consider serving on the SCRPA Board.”

THANK YOU TO THE SCRPA BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR YOUR COMMITMENT & DEDICATION TO OUR ASSOCIATION! 6 SOUTH CAROLINA Recreation and Parks • www.scrpa.org

MEET THE BOARD 2021-22 SCRPA BOARD PROFILES Katherine Small-Jones

Cole Thomas

Current board position: Central District VP

Current board position: Southern District VP

Current agency & title: Lancaster County Parks & Recreation; Deputy Director

Current agency & title: Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission, Parks Manager District 2

Years employed or in the field of recreation: 8.5 What have you learned from serving or favorite experience while on the board - “I have thoroughly enjoyed meeting new people and helping provide opportunities for education and networking through the district workshops.”

Years employed or in field of recreation: 21 What have you learned from serving or favorite experience while on board - “I have enjoyed working with others around the state, networking and getting new ideas from others.”

Beth Goodale

Brad Cuttino

Current board position: Eastern District VP

Current board position: Western District VP

Current agency & title: Director, Georgetown County Recreation & Community Services

Current agency & title: City of Greenville Parks, Recreation and Tourism: Recreation Administrator

Years employed or in the field of recreation: 9 years recreation, 19 years local government

Years employed or in field of recreation: 23 (13 with the City of Greenville and 10 years with Clemson University prior)

What have you learned from serving or favorite experience while on board - “Having the opportunity to get to know and work with so many professionals from across South Carolina during such an uncertain time in our history (COVID) has been an unforgettable experience. The ability to share, communicate and learn from each other as all we attempt to navigate and do what is best for our communities, agencies and state has been made a bit more bearable through the relationships developed and deepened during this time and through the support of Jim & Melissa in Columbia keeping us informed and updated.”

What have you learned from serving or favorite experience while on board - “The thing I appreciate the most about being on the board is the relationships that form. In the field of Recreation, it is imperative to have colleagues that you can reach out to for ideas and advice. Being on the board has allowed me to create new friendships both personally and professionally.”

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On l i n e Re gist ra t i o n No w Ope n!

76th Annual SCRPA Conference December 6-8, 2021

Greenville Hyatt Regency • Greenville, SC

Meet the Keynote Speaker Monday, December 6 Building a Culture of Innovation & Inclusion with Your WHY Neelay Bhatt, Vice President, PROS Consulting, Inc. Neelay Bhatt is the principal at PROS Consulting Inc. He has led 130+ strategic and master planning, sports facility development, customer service training, and marketing and branding projects.

These projects have recommended facility development and infrastructure improvements totaling over $2 billion USD and are helping shape a better vision for health and wellness, conservation and social equity in communities globally.

Every agency teaches their staff what to do and how to do their jobs.

However, few focus on the meaning behind the work: the WHY. Parks and recreation agencies over the years, and especially during the pandemic, have been truly essential to our communities’ wellbeing. As the world around us changes and our communities get more diverse, it is important to lead with the values and innovate as you build a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging with your WHY.

For more information on sessions, speakers, and to register, visit www.scrpa.org.

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

Creating a Magical Guest Experience in Your Agency When it comes to operating an agency, everyone states how important customer service is yet most do a poor or inconsistent job servicing their customers. Come unlock the secrets behind building a culture focused on exceeding your organization’s customer service. Using case studies, participants will see the impact poor customer service can have on an agency while learning how to build an organization that your customers and the community would want to associate with.

Trends for a Post-Pandemic 2020s As agencies in South Carolina plan for the next decade, this session will help them predict trends and plan for future shifts in an increasingly unpredictable post-pandemic time. Also, it will share insights for how to build an agency culture and mindset that can innovate and thrive in a changing landscape as parks and recreation agencies look to changes to their communities, policies, park and facility designs, financial sustainability, marketing and communications, partnerships, program delivery and innovation in general.

Schedule-at-a-Glance*

Thank You Conference Sponsors!*

Schedules include 2021 Conference, Sports Management Institute (SMI), and Aquatic Facility Operator (AFO) Certification. Additional registration required for SMI and AFO.

Monday – December 6 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m......AFO Certification Class 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.............. Registration Open 1:15 – 1:45 p.m............. 1st Timers & Newcomers

Member Orientation 2:00 – 3:05 p.m........................Education Block I 3:20 – 4:25 p.m.......................Education Block II 4:35 – 6:00 p.m.......... Opening General Session

& Keynote 6:00 p.m................................. Dinner and Social *As of press time

Tuesday – December 7 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m............... AFO Certification

Class & Exam

Off Site Institutes

8:00 – 8:40 a.m............ SCRPA Business Meeting

For the hands on learner!

8:55 – 9:55 a.m......................Education Block III

These four off site institutes will be available to sign up immediately upon your arrival at the registration desk and will be offered at a limited number.

We will visit The Cities of Greenville, Greer, Spartanburg as well as Greenville & Spartanburg Counties.

10:10 – 11:15 a.m....................Education Block IV 11:20 – 11:45 a.m..................... Branch Meetings 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m............Lunch on your own 1:50 – 2:55 p.m.......................Education Block V 3:10 – 4:15 p.m.......................Education Block VI 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.................. Exhibit Hall Opening 7:00 p.m................................................... Social

Wednesday – December 8 7:30 – 9:30 a.m................. Exhibit Hall Breakfast 9:45 – 10:50 a.m...................Education Block VII 11:05 a.m. – 12:10 p.m.........Education Block VIII 12:30 – 1:45 p.m...........Awards & SMI Luncheon

SPORTS MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE

Wednesday – December 8 2:15 – 3:20 p.m.......................... SMI Keynote 3:25 – 4:30 p.m........................ SMI Session I 4:35 – 5:40 p.m....................... SMI Session II 6:00 p.m....................................... SMI Social

Thursday – December 9 8:15 – 9:15 a.m....................... SMI Session III

OSI 1 Newly Renovated Facility Tour: Spartanburg/Greenville This Institute will take us to the City of Spartanburg as we will be looking at their new state of the art community center, Dr. T.K. Gregg Community Center. Next we will be off to Spartanburg County’s Cleveland Park to check out their Asheville Highway Underpass project that has connect two separate parks by creating a tunnel under a highway (with some cool artwork)! The Pavilion Recreational Complex reopened in 2020 after closing more than seven months for a $4.5 million in renovations, which added 8,000 square feet to the facility.

OSI 2 Unity Park Tour We will look at the City of Greenville’s Unity Park from 2 different perspectives. Unity Park once opened in Spring of 2022, will be a 60+ acre park in downtown Greenville! The concept is much like Central Park in New York. The two angles we will be looking at it from is 1) the grand vision and then 2) we will delve into the programming of the park upon the completion of the park.

OSI 3 Newly Renovated Facility Tour: Greer The City of Greer is hosting and showing off one of the state’s largest inclusive playgrounds ever built! While in Greer, we will also visit the Ed Drigger’s Center for the Arts and Cannon Events the remodeled Armory.

Learn more by clicking on these links below!

9:20 – 10:30 a.m.................... SMI Session IV 10:45 – 11:45 a.m....................SMI Session V

OSI 4 Event Management

11:50 a.m. – 12:50 p.m........... SMI Session VI

City of Greenville staff will discuss the event landscape in Greenville. How the City events team managed events during 2020 and 2021 and how they see the events moving forward in the future (in Greenville, Unity Park, etc).

Discussions will include the TD Saturday Market, Sound Check, Artisphere, Ice on Main, among others. Tour of a few area event spaces.

12:55 – 2:00 p.m........ SMI Awards Luncheon *Subject to change. Watch scrpa.org for the most up-to-date information.

Winter 2021 • SOUTH CAROLINA Recreation and Parks 9

Featured Confeerence Speakers

Featured Sessions

Lori A. Hoffner Lori A. Hoffner has been offering training for positive youth development, community networking and organizational relationship building since 1997 and has spoken nationally regarding youth program development, employment and staff engagement as well as multiple community issues.

Following the tragic shootings at Columbine High School in 1999, Lori, through her leadership with PACCT was invited to help with the creation of Columbine Connections Resource Center, a community center dedicated to the healing of those impacted along with SHOUTS, a teen drop-in center for the youth of the community. She worked closely with leaders from mental health organizations, the school district, local law enforcement and park and recreation agencies. Lori is highly regarded as a network agent for community collaborations.

Dale Smith Dale Smith has 30+ years of progressive experience in Parks and Recreation Management in local government sector serving diverse experiences in large and medium department environments.

Managing through Racial and Cultural Differences Tom O’Rourke, Clemson University/Brandstetter Carroll, Inc

Roz & Jed Buck Roz and Jed Buck have done what many married couples consider to be “the impossible”. They have worked together, side by side, for over 15 years. From 2004 –2016, Roz and Jed owned and directed Meadowbrook Day Camp, a large private day camp in New Jersey, where they significantly grew the business and trained over 400 staff each summer.

Roz and Jed sold their camp in 2016, and have successfully launched a new business as Trainers and Consultants. They travel the country sharing what they have learned and experienced first-hand by delivering interactive keynotes, experiential and participantcentered conference sessions. Roz and Jed have shared their messages and experiences at a variety of conferences in 21 different states including the SCRPA Programming Summit in 2019. Nationally they have spoken at the American Camping Association and NRPA conference as well as many state and regional Recreation & Park Conferences.

She is now the CEO of Smith Management training and consulting, allowing her to utilize the 30+ years of experience in Organizational Management, Team Building and Strategic Thinking. She is now solely focused on helping teams and individuals improve. Her leadership principles are Passion, Focus, Creativity and Vision. Providing an excellent client experience and treating each client with care and respect is a top priority.

In the Park and Recreation environment our departments are often seen as the one public agency that is there for all people.

The importance of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion should be a cornerstone of what Parks and Recreation programming and park management is all about. This session will stress the need for true, honest, and real discussions to help us continue to be the agency for all.

Trails & Stream Restoration: Reconnecting People with Nature - Jeff Ashbaugh & Jon Wood, Benesch, Emily Reinicker Wildlands Engineering As metropolitan areas grow at a rapid pace, demand for recreation increases along with the population. Striking a balance between manmade improvements and protecting the environment can be challenging. This session presents different approaches to planning, designing, and implementing two unique multi-use trail and stream restoration projects.

Now What...Preparing for 2022 - Phil Gaines, Clemson University Looking beyond the challenges of the pandemic to the opportunities of a new year.

Focusing on your potential as a leader and the tools to make a difference.

For more information on sessions, speakers, and to register, visit www.scrpa.org.

Photo: Van Zeppelin Aerial Photography / VisitGreenvilleSC

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

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Winter 2021 • SOUTH CAROLINA Recreation and Parks 11

#HeresWhatsHappening

Snapshots of programming in SCRPA member agencies ch My rtle Bea t Line en m la Monofi Holders

Did you know monofi lament fish ing line can take up to 500 yea rs to break dow n? A local in ou r com mu nity donated five monofi lament recycl ing bin s to ou r department and we were happy to pla ce them at ou r most visited bea ch accesses. We are encou rag ing local fishermen to use the recycl ing bin s to keep the used line out of ou r ocean s.

Back yard program inSaturday Saluda Sh oals

At Saluda Shoals Backya rd Satu rday prog ram, children get to experience a vari ety of educational and enrichment activities. From Bluebird Sen sory Stor ytime to the Sen sory Yar d, children and fam ilies enjoy interact ive play time in natu re.

New Fuller Pa playground in rk Barnw

ell

Th is fal l, the Ba rnw ell Pa rks, Recreation, an d Touri sm Depa rtment wa s able to unvei l an d hold the gra nd openin g of the new Fu ller Pa rk playg rou nd and splash pa d area.

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

each My r tle Balk W y r St o

e of ex perience at on been added as an e by s nc ha Da lk g Bi Wa y is, or ok A St The featu red bo . rk nd Pa d ou gr an e Gr ou r pa rk s, ou nted low to th Ea ch pa ge is m ly . sil am de nh clu ee in Gr es Aoife the st ag ad alon g. Al l of e whole so anyone ca n re ake it fu n for th m at th s ion ct ru st in e r. iv te ct ar ra qu inte ed ea ch s wi ll be replac fa m ily. The book

R ichland “Power inCounty Pink”

Aiken Cou Pass & Kicnty Punt, k

On October 2, Aiken Cou nty PRT hosted thei r Punt, Pass & Kick loca l competition for boys & girls ages 6-14 at Har rison Caver Park.

Rich land Cou nty hosted a “Pow er in Pink” event in honor of Brea st Cancer Awa reness month that prov ided Rich land Cou nty resi dents with education, socialization and celebrat ion of Brea st Cancer surv ivors.

The day included the Prisma Hea lth Mam mog raphy Unit, line dan cing, raffle prizes, giveaways, vendors , loca l radio stat ion live broa dcas t, and lunch for all part icipa nts. This was our first “Power in Pink” event and we are already look ing forward to nex t year!

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

Winter 2021 • SOUTH CAROLINA Recreation and Parks 13

Views from the Park Bench The next few issues of SCRPA magazine will feature Views from a Park Bench. This feature will highlight retired directors or recreation professionals that have been in the field for 10+ years and have them share advice, compare agencies then to now, or simply tell their story. We hope you enjoy reading and perhaps learn some things from these well-versed perspectives.

Ken Ayoub Q: What was your job title and responsibilities?

A: I was fortunate to have worked in the recreation profession in numerous part time positions and 5 full time positions for nearly 42 years.

My first position was as Recreation Coordinator at 2 state prisons in South Carolina for 18 ½ years, where I provided extensive recreation programs for not only the inmate population, but also provided opportunities for the employees as well.

These programs ranged from athletic activities to arts and crafts programs to fine arts with dance and music.

In 1996, I joined the Mount Pleasant Recreation Department (MPRD) as Athletic Division Chief, responsible for the planning, organizing, implementing and supervising a comprehensive athletic program for youth and adults.

I was promoted in 2002 to Deputy Director and then promoted in 2008 to Recreation Director, where I remained until my retirement in 2017. As Director, I was responsible for the overall management and supervision of one of the largest recreation programs in SC, based on participation numbers. Face to face interaction with not only the public, but the elected officials and other department heads was a primary duty as well as formulating annual budgets to operate the department.

What is your favorite part about working in recreation?

I mostly enjoyed being able to go out to the various facilities and programs and watch

participants enjoy the results of the hard work and dedication that the employees, both full and part time, and the volunteers provided on a daily basis. To look over a recreation complex with 15 different activities, with hundreds of participants enjoying themselves, going on at the same time, is a feeling that only those of us who work in recreation can really appreciate.

Q: What is one challenge you faced in your position and how did you overcome it?

In recreation, we are faced with numerous challenges every day and many we can anticipate and plan for and it seems that just as many occur out of the blue. No one could’ve anticipated the events of 2020, yet somehow, someway, the recreation professionals managed to stay optimistic and delivered quality services and programs. My hats off to them.

The greatest challenge that I faced as Director, was when it was discovered that an individual was arrested for numerous child abuse charges. It turned out that this individual was not only a very active and dependable volunteer coach for us, but for many other organizations throughout the Charleston area, even reaching into local colleges summer camps. The thought that even one of our precious children/youth could have been affected by that monster, kept me up at night many times.

The moment we found out about this, I gathered staff together and shared with them what current information that I had received from the police department.

Although, I knew in general what we needed

• www.scrpa.org 14 SOUTH 14 SOUTHCAROLINA CAROLINA Recreation Recreation andand ParksParks • www.scrpa.org

to do, I solicited the opinions from staff and gathered more information as to the extent in which this individual was involved in our program. Because our staff had received previous training on child abuse which enabled us to be proactive, they were prepared to react appropriately. This individual had been involved in our program for a number of years, coached many sports and volunteered for many programs. He was a highly respected coach/volunteer and many parents had requested him over the years to coach their child. This enabled him to come in contact with hundreds of our youth over that time. Staff conducted a records search for all of the youth that he had come in contact with over the years he was with us and contacted each and every parent to communicate to them the current information on the situation.

Because this story was getting extensive news coverage, it was imperative for us to not only communicate with the parents, but for them to communicate with us any bit of information or concerns that they may have. No information was withheld from the parents.

While it was eventually discovered that none of our youth were affected by this individual, we continued to keep the lines of communication open with the parents. Staff met with their respective teams and coaches and continued to emphasize the importance of staying alert and aware. Information was shared on the signs of potential abuse, what to do and how to avoid putting their child in a compromising situation.

Q: What is one piece of advice you would give to people looking to enter the world of parks and recreation?

Be prepared to work hard, long hours.

Recreation is not a 40 hour Monday – Friday work week. You will consider yourself lucky, if you do put in only a 40 hour week.

Be prepared for weekend work, holiday work and 12 hour days at times.

Be prepared to feel unappreciated at times.

Be prepared to be yelled at, hung up on and complained about. Be prepared to question why did you choose public recreation as your life profession.

Be prepared to realize that it was all worth while when you see a child smile and laugh at what you provided and that one act alone will give you all the motivation you need to do it all over again the next day. You will soon realize that you influence people in a positive manner more than you can imagine.

Q: How did you define success in your role or department?

My primary responsibility was to provide the necessary tools to ensure staff’s ability to provide quality, comprehensive and innovative recreational programming and opportunities for individuals of all ages and abilities. An inventory of the high number of programs offered for all ages confirmed the success that we had attained. The ratio of individual participation in a recreation program compared to the number of people living in Mount Pleasant was one of the highest, if not the highest in the state of SC.

This meant that people were involved and enjoying the recreational opportunities that was provided to them. The positive and supportive results of the participant, parent and volunteer surveys at the end of each and every program left no doubt that we were successful in our team effort to satisfy our citizens.

Q: What is your favorite quote or motto?

Treat people fairly as you yourself would want to be fairly treated.

Q: Share a favorite experience with us when you were working with Mount Pleasant Recreation Department.

I had only been Athletic Division Chief at MPRD for about 6 months, when I was approached by an individual who wanted to start a program, that at the time was unheard of. This program was called Buddy Baseball and was designed to provide a recreation opportunity for youth with disabilities by pairing each child with a disability with a child who did not. At first, this presented several obstacles, such as no funds, no equipment, no specifically designed facility, no participants and no coaches. Before long, though, we had everything we needed to start the program.

We had about 15 youth with disabilities with a partner, each having a replica Major League Baseball uniform! When the first game was held, on a field that our baseball league played on, with umpires in uniform, working scoreboard and everything that our other leagues enjoyed, there was guarded anticipation amongst all of us. Within 5 minutes, there was not a dry eye in the place. Parents whose children were left out in the cold before, were watching their child play a baseball game for the first time in their life! Whether or not they got a hit, or caught a ball, the children were having the experience of a lifetime. From that moment on, MPRD had a program for children with disabilities that not only continues today, but

expanded to include not only athletics, but social events and other programs.

What stands out for me is that one of the original participants on that day in 1996, passed away a few years later due to complications with his disability. His parents honored his wishes and he was buried in his baseball uniform (a replica of the Atlanta Braves) that he wore when he played in the Buddy Baseball program. A simple recreation game of baseball for most, but the most cherished memory for one so young.

Q: What is the coolest thing you’ve done in retirement (from recreation)?

Being invited to come back and be part of the team selected to present The Town of Mount Pleasant as an All America City in June, 2018, in Denver, Colorado. The team performed a skit that presented the qualities and character of Mount Pleasant to a panel of judges. Out of over 100 cities that applied for the award, 20 were selected to be a finalist and travel to Denver to present their case in person. From the 20 finalists, 10 were selected with Mount Pleasant among the 10 winners. I got to be around many people that I had worked with over the years as well as some new faces during the 2 months of practice and preparation that we put in to win the award. I had the coolest part – I sat in a rocking chair, drinking sweet ice tea, while narrating the skit. It was a wild rush when Mount Pleasant was named one of the 10 National All America Cities for 2018. The satisfied feeling of winning that honor is one that I’ll never forget.

Afterwards, when my wife flew out to meet me in Denver, we traveled for 1 week through Colorado (Golden and Boulder), The Rocky Mountains, Mount Rushmore, The Badlands, Kansas City/St. Louis, Nashville and Ashville, before coming home, tired, but with a lot of wonderful memories.

Carolyn Leake Retires Carolyn Leake, Recreation Director for the City of York, has retired after 33 years of service. She was instrumental in the planning and organizing of numerous events and programs. She will be missed!!

Winter 2021 • SOUTH CAROLINA Recreation and Parks 15

FROM THE GROUND UP SOUTH CAROLINA AGENCIES MAKING BIG STRIDES 16 SOUTH CAROLINA Recreation and Parks • www.scrpa.org

SPARTANBURG COUNTY’S

PROJECT PLAY INITIATIVE

By Cord Sgaglio, CPRP, CYSA, Athletic Coordinator, Spartanburg County Parks Department From the ground up, the notion of building a resilient foundation and constructing towards the sky, or some might say the future. This idea is one of the key concepts for Spartanburg County’s Project Play Initiative.

Spartanburg County Parks Department is privileged to operate over 30 parks, which houses more than 50 fields. Throughout each year, tournaments and youth athletics of all scales are conducted throughout these facilities.

One of the byproducts of these events is a treasure trove of lost and discarded equipment.

The utmost diligence is observed when trying to return lost and found equipment, but there is only so much storage space and time that a piece of equipment can be held before disposal.

These circumstances led to an idea, and that idea to a plan. The plan eventually grew into Spartanburg County’s Project Play Initiative.

Through this initiative, we offer opportunities that otherwise would have been unobtainable.

We work directly with our local Youth Athletic Association leaders to help distribute the lost and found items that go unclaimed for over a month. The Project Play Initiative was added to our Youth Athletic Association agreement in the spring of 2021 as an additional means of assistance.

Stacey Beeler, President of Spartanburg County District Six Youth Athletic Association, says, “District 6 Youth Athletic Association is honored to be a part of this much-needed program to assist families needing sports equipment and supplies in our community. We have great fields at Tyger River Park to use but if some kids don’t have gloves, bats, helmets, and other gear it’s really hard to play the game. We can do better. Through the efforts of Cord Sgaglio and Spartanburg County, this initiative is looking to be a “homerun”! We appreciate and applaud their efforts and will continue to provide support and promote the program.”

It has been a privilege to work with the members of our community as we build a better future. For Spartanburg County, each piece of equipment distributed comes with an opportunity attached; an opportunity to be active, play sports, make a difference, and new friends!

IT HAS BEEN A PRIVILEGE TO WORK WITH THE MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY AS WE BUILD A BETTER FUTURE. Winter 2021 • SOUTH CAROLINA Recreation and Parks 17

FROM

FARMING TO FUN!

By: Hayden Finch, Marketing Assistant, City of Charleston If there had to be only one word to describe the new Daniel Island Recreation Center, it would be “agrarian”. Planning for the building was carefully constructed to represent the island’s rich history. It was built to capture the essence of farmland structures, but also exhibit new modern and sharp lines appealing to migratory masses. Plans for the Daniel Island Recreation Center have been in place since the 1990s and the residents could not be happier to see its doors finally open, despite numerous issues and delays along the way.

From the beginning, the idea of development for the island has always been to maintain its ‘outdoor, open spaces’ feel. The City of Charleston held a number of meetings in libraries and schools to collect community input for the preparation of the long-awaited project. Decisionmaking for its location was no walk in the park but there was an agreement to plant a flag beside Governors Park. The park was considered to be an outstanding position for the facility due to its centralized location from residents, businesses, and

highways flowing in and out of the island and it made for excellent recreational fields soon to come. Being able to live, work, shop, and play has always been something people admire most about Daniel Island.

When asked about what went into the planning for the recreation facility, Recreation Director Laurie Yarbrough said, “Meticulous planning was needed to be sure the facility was as multi-purposeful as

FROM THE BEGINNING, THE IDEA OF DEVELOPMENT FOR THE ISLAND HAS ALWAYS BEEN TO MAINTAIN ITS ‘OUTDOOR, OPEN SPACES’ FEEL.

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

possible to serve the community the same way the rest of the island’s development has.”

The City of Charleston and citizens agreed upon a gymnasium, two exercise rooms, two conference rooms, an industrial kitchen, and a full-sized basketball court in a multi-purpose room. All in all, inside of this roughly 22,000-squarefoot recreation facility, there are almost endless possibilities to utilize the space.

The Daniel Island Recreation Center held a soft opening on July 1 and then officially opened its doors to the public on August 9. Jen Nelson, the Daniel Island Recreation Facility Manager, has been experiencing great success with their programs saying, “We just finished hosting the middle school volleyball league and we were the host location for Daniel Island School as well as Phillip Simmons School. Our Kids Night Out events in both September and October were full with 25 kids with a waitlist. Cooking Lab has been a very successful youth program with 22

kids in the 7 to 9-year-old class and 12 kids in the 10 to 14-year-old class. We also just finished our first theater class that put on Fearless John, which the kids and parents really enjoyed. For the adults, our Shag class has been very popular with 32 people signed up and we are not holding a second session. We’ve also had a lot of adults join us during the day for our Cards and Coffee program as well as pickleball.

Additionally, our older adult population provides us with steady Canasta and Mahjong groups.”

Having a designated space for a variety of recreational activities was precisely what Daniel Island residents were longing for. The City of Charleston has been looking forward to serving the community with indoor and outdoor sports, arts and crafts, meetings or speakers, afterschool activities, and family events at the facility. But most importantly, the City of Charleston is ecstatic to build strong and meaningful relationships with all of our Daniel Island citizens.

Winter 2021 • SOUTH CAROLINA Recreation and Parks 19

FROM BIKE RENTALS TO BEACH PARK MANAGER

GOING FROM THE GROUND UP AT CHARLESTON COUNTY PARKS

By: Nicholas Krueger, Social Media Coordinator, Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission Charleston County Parks has been fortunate to be home to many long-lasting and growing careers. From managers to parks directors all the way up to our executive director, dozens of CCPRC staff started out as interns, part-time or entrylevel staff at the parks. One such person is Folly Beach Assistant Manager, Joey Crawford (below).

Joey was born in Philadelphia, but quickly became a son of the Lowcountry after his dad’s job moved to the old Navy base in North Charleston. He grew up in Mount Pleasant and made Palmetto Islands County Park one of his favorite spots for adventures. Staff at the park quickly took notice and he landed his first job ever at Splash Island Waterpark at age 15.

“They all knew me anyways,” Joey said.

“It was pretty funny. The manager said ‘instead of us having to kick you out at

the end of the night how about you be the guy who comes and works?’ We just rode our bikes there and that was basically my introduction to the agency.”

the Folly Beach Pier and was named operations manager helping run fishing tournaments, pier dances, a gift and tackle shop, and beach parking.

A self-described “nerd,” Joey graduated from Academic Magnet High School before attending the College of Charleston while also working at Palmetto Islands as a part-time aide helping with the gate, boat and bike rentals, dog park, trails and the waterpark.

Joey plays a key role in helping the agency manage the busy summer beach seasons and was recently promoted to Assistant Manager of the Folly Beach parks, where he helps oversee roughly 120 part-time employees during the summer months.

He quickly realized a 9-to-5 corporate office job wasn’t for him.

“I always dabbled around thinking about accounting or something like that,” he said.

“But I was spoiled by the parks because there is some office work but you also get to be out and about.”

After he graduated from CofC in 2009, Joey applied for a full-time position at

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

He’s especially proud of how the staff has managed the past two summer seasons during the pandemic and the ongoing construction of the Folly Beach Pier.

“I’m really proud of our staff and everybody from retirees all the way down to high school kids and everybody in between,” he said. “They’ve all done a great job.”

A STORY OF REBUILDING,

RESURGENCE & REJUVENATION By: Brandon Staton, City of Barnwell Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Director The story of the fall of 2021 for the Barnwell Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Department has been one of rebuilding, resurgence, and rejuvenation. It’s no odd coincidence that, at the same time SCRPA magazine runs stories related to starting up or starting over, that Barnwell brings on a first-time director, opens a new playground and splash pad play area, and reintroduces fall sports into the community.

On August 12, 2021, Barnwell City Council appointed Brandon Staton (left) as the interim PRT Director, immediately being tasked with bringing tackle football back to the department, while also having flag football and volleyball for the fall. He thanked his lucky stars for a background in football, having played for the same recreation department, at the local high school, and into college. He called upon former knowledge of how things had been run in the past because he began his employment as a park attendant for the city in 2018 before moving into a different role for the city of Barnwell. This new task, as challenging as it was by itself, didn’t come without added hurdles. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Barnwell

had been without fall athletics for some time, but the community welcomed him with open arms and jumped at the chance to see their youth play football, volleyball and cheering once again.

On top of bringing fall sports back, the PRT Department was close to unveiling and holding the grand opening of the new Fuller Park playground and splash pad area. In front of a small crowd of citizens, reporters, city employees, who had helped with the project, and councilmen and women, a group of local youth cut the ribbon to officially open the park. Fresh green sod surrounding the play areas stretching from one end to the other, a refurbished farmers market stand, and new public utilities that had been worked on by local tradesmen and businesses brought a rejuvenated look to Barnwell’s historic park.

Though these tasks have seemed daunting at times, Barnwell has responded with overwhelming support for the direction the department is heading in. Numerous praises have filled the department’s Facebook page and a significant amount of positive messages have been received on how the department is handling the turning of a page.

Winter 2021 • SOUTH CAROLINA Recreation and Parks 21

LOVE CAN MOVE MOUNTAINS… OR BUILD AN INCLUSIVE PLAYGROUND By: Victoria Babb, Play 4 All Campaign, Community Resource Manager It started with a 4-year-old boy who quickly recognized that typical playgrounds would not allow him to play alongside his older brother. Asher Hyleman asked his mother why his brother Silas was sitting on the bench aside his walker. Stephanie Hyleman did not have an answer to her son’s question, but her heart ached as she looked into his eyes glossed over with tears. She too knew the harsh reality.

Playgrounds deemed ADA compliant still exclude children like her son. “It was a divine calling,” said Stephanie. On that very day, she was determined to create an inclusive play space so all children could play together.

After securing land and the commitment from Cherokee County Parks to maintain the public space and provide insurance for the park once it was constructed, the Hyleman family assembled their community action team to make the vision a reality.

SILAS Steps, a 501c3 organization, was born, and then along came the design for Hyleman’s Humble Inclusive Playground.

The design is based on research provided

by PlayCore, Seven Principles of Inclusive Design.

Cunningham Recreation’s community resource division, Play 4 ALL, worked

On July 11, 2021, a beautiful summer day in Gaffney, South Carolina, both Silas and his little brother Asher cut the ribbon to Cherokee County’s very first inclusive playground. As the large crowd watched, Silas wheeled his walker onto the spongy surfacing and up the ramped structures with ease with brother Asher by his side.

Designed to be the “jewel” of Gaffney and a regional destination play space, Hyleman’s Humble Playground has set a new standard of inclusive placemaking.

Stephanie Hyleman knew that mobilizing the necessary funds was not going to be easy, particularly when the global pandemic hit. It was her tenacity and relentless spirit that continued to drive the efforts forward. “I will not rest until this project is complete,” she would tell community partners. closely with the project guiding their fundraising efforts. Philanthropic support ranged from gifts of coins and dollars shaken out of Silas’ and Asher’s piggy banks to very large support from area private foundations. In-kind services and materials were generously given along with hundreds of hours provided by a group of dedicated volunteers.

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

Matshona Dhilwayo has said, “If you can’t move a mountain by faith, move it by carrying away stone by stone.” No doubt that with each stone carried away, and with each passing day – a mountain was moved. And on opening day when Asher was asked about what it felt like to move that mountain, he replied with happy tears in his eyes and a smile across his face, “I knew we could do it.”

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800.438.2780 | cunninghamrec.com Winter 2021 • SOUTH CAROLINA Recreation and Parks 23

HILTON HEAD ISLAND OPENS

LOWCOUNTRY CELEBRATION PARK By: Leah Arnold, Deputy Parks and Recreation Executive Director of Hilton Head Island Recreation Association The Town of Hilton Head Island recently opened Lowcountry Celebration Park in the Coligny District on Pope Avenue. This exciting new community park will serve as a regional draw and recreation destination for both island residents and visitors alike.

The park is located in the heart of the Beach District next to the island’s popular Coligny Beach Park overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.

The beautiful new 10-acre park includes something for everyone. Features include a large event lawn and entertainment pavilion which hosts concerts and community events; broad walking paths for strolling; seating and shade structures; public art; bicycle racks and generous parking around the perimeter of the park. Anchoring the park is the new Sandbox Children’s Museum overlooking the Adventure Playground. Together, the Children’s Museum and Adventure Playground provide exciting indoor and outdoor learning opportunities for families with children. The playground includes a Discovery Trail with interpretive experiences illustrating various ecological settings

found throughout the Lowcountry. Areas such as mudflats, tidal channels, salt marsh and maritime forests offer opportunities to learn about the Lowcountry’s unique ecosystems. Critters such as fiddler crabs, sea turtles, alligators, osprey, deer, and fox are also highlighted in trail interpretive signs. The centerpiece of this exciting new playground is the Adventure, a large, unique and interactive play feature

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

replicating Captain William Hilton’s sailing ship used when discovering Hilton Head Island in 1663.

This amazing park provides unique active and passive recreational features, amenities, and scenic views for families and individuals, organizations, and community groups. The park is minutes away from the Town’s award-winning Coligny Beach Park.

While Coligny provides direct access to the

beach, Lowcountry Celebration Park features attractions designed to help park visitors engage in play, discover the island’s unique environment, and be part of cultural festivities. This $16 million dollar strategic investment functioned as a centerpiece to leverage revitalization in the aging Coligny District. Following the announcement of the Town’s plans for the park, an adjacent commercial site overlooking the park was purchased. Now redeveloped, the property includes retail buildings along the street including a 5-story Marriot Hotel with rooftop bar overlooking the park. The park also serves as a key element in the Town’s regional stormwater management system. Its central lagoon is designed to detain and treat stormwater, reducing neighborhood flooding.

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Winter 2021 • SOUTH CAROLINA Recreation and Parks 25

ROCK HILL OPENS

MIRACLE PARK By: Laurie Helms, Marketing Supervisor, Rock Hill Parks, Recreation & Tourism Miracle Park is an inclusive park in Rock Hill providing people of all ages and abilities the opportunity to enjoy the park’s amenities and programming year-round.

Phase one of Miracle Park opened on Sept.

18, 2021 to a large and enthusiastic crowd!

Spanning 7 acres, phase one consists of multiple playground areas, sensory walls, a traditional baseball field, park office with concessions, and the centerpiece of the park – Rock Hill’s first Miracle Field! The park is operated, maintained, and programmed by the Rock Hill Parks, Recreation and Tourism (PRT) Department.

Programming at Miracle Park complements and expands existing Therapeutic Recreation programming provided by PRT since 1970.

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

Athletic and non-athletic programs will be offered, beginning with the Miracle League of Rock Hill which debuted October 9 with 69 youth and adult participants and 85 registered volunteers. While the fall season is short – Saturdays in October – the league looks forward to the spring season, some travel, and playing other teams in the area!

Miracle Park’s development has been led by the York County Disabilities Foundation

in partnership with the City of Rock Hill and Winthrop University and supported by numerous volunteers and donors. The park’s opening was the culmination of four years of planning, fundraising, and construction.

Future phases of the park include a second Miracle Field, additional fields (baseball and multi-purpose), a fishing pond, a mini golf course, a retail store, and an NFL Play

60 project funded by the Carolina Panthers.

The York County Disabilities Foundation will continue to support the development of the park.

Miracle Park is located at 1005 Eden Terrace, Rock Hill, SC. The park is open dawn to dusk with the park office open Mon. – Fri. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Learn more at cityofrockhill.com/prt.

Winter 2021 • SOUTH CAROLINA Recreation and Parks 27

DREAMS TURNED INTO REALITY: HARDEEVILLE’S SMALL TOWN BIG DREAM REC CENTER By: Jennifer Combs, Hardeeville Parks, Recreation and Tourism Director Photo: Shellie Murdaugh, Jasper Sun Times

Building the Hardeeville Recreation Center has long been a community dream and goal for City Council. Planning for the facility took on several different designs over the years and saw a few setbacks including administration changes, funding for the land and project as well as COVID 19 related issues. The project was carefully planned over the course of ten years with support and involvement from the community, partners, city staff, and Council.

In 2018, Eugene P. Vukelic and family donated just a little over 5 acres to the city of Hardeeville and a dream was closer than ever to becoming a reality. After the land was donated, the design build project quickly advanced.

Bobbitt Design Build was selected to lead the project and

Photo: Shellie Murdaugh, Jasper Sun Times (gymnasium and fitness room images)

THE PROJECT WAS CAREFULLY PLANNED OVER THE COURSE OF TEN YEARS WITH SUPPORT AND INVOLVEMENT FROM THE COMMUNITY, PARTNERS, CITY STAFF, AND COUNCIL. 28 SOUTH CAROLINA Recreation and Parks • www.scrpa.org

a budget was adopted of $8.5 million. Accommodations tax revenue provided $6.5 million of the facility’s funding and the remaining $2 million was from borrowed funds.

The Recreation Center is located ideally at the corner of John Smith Road and McTeer Street with Hwy 17 and I-95 close by, making it easily accessible and a great location.

The project consists of a 38,000 square foot facility that includes a collegiate-sized basketball court with seating for 1,000 spectators, two racquetball courts, a 4000 square foot state of the art fitness center, a 2200 square foot community room used for rentals and events, a mezzanine indoor walking track and multi-use classrooms and concession stand.

The facility hosts a wide variety of programs and athletics such as basketball clinics, tournaments, pickleball, volleyball, games, special events, and more. The city also partnered early on with agencies to assist in providing services and programs. Today, the YMCA offers an afterschool care program in the facility as well as several fitness classes. The Hardeeville Recreation Center opened to the public on Saturday, July 31 with a grand opening event that welcomed more than a thousand people!

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FROM THE GROUND UP:

REC2GO By: Leslie Wilson, Multimedia Analyst, Richland County Recreation Commission Summer at Richland County Recreation Commission brims with opportunities for children and families to play and learn and grow. In 2020, when we were unable to offer in-person opportunities, our Community Outreach Coordinator, Adairius Williams came up with a plan: let’s pack as much summer fun as we can into bags and hand them out to our community.

Recreation must go on. Thus, Rec2Go was born. Now in its second year, Rec2Go offered free recreation activities and meals to families across Richland County during the month of July.

The Rec2Go program provides youth who couldn’t attend our summer camps with summer enrichment activities--toys, games, arts and crafts—along with masks, hand sanitizer, and meals. The program was

set up as a drive-thru project due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, citizens were able to walk up for the events and receive bag supplies and items as well.

Through Rec2Go, RCRC gave back to the county that it serves. The program helps families that may have been struggling over the past year or more due to the events surrounding COVID. Many parents have lost jobs or work hours because of the pandemic and may not have as much money for games and activities for children as they would during traditional times. This program served as a morale boost for children and families in the communities where the events were.

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

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The biggest challenge faced for this program was the COVID-19 pandemic. It has been the biggest obstacle for RCRC, the county, state, country, and the rest of the world for more than a year. COVID has created tests that the world has had to adjust to, and adjust very quickly at that.

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The health and well-being of staff members and those in the community was a great concern too. Safety measures and guidelines were followed and respected during all the events. Informing the public of the times and locations of the events was a challenge as well. Most were notified through social media, word of mouth, and local radio stations.

The Rec2Go program was a huge success. RCRC gave out 500 bags of supplies and items and 500 meals at 5 locations throughout the county. Additionally, more than $10,000 worth of supplies were given away. The full supply of Rec2Go items was depleted. This is a good thing because it shows that RCRC fills a need in the community during these unbalanced times. Our mission is to enrich lives and connect communities and this program was the perfect response to those goals.

Partnerships for Rec2Go were Hibbett Sports and Hot 103.9 and the Big DM radio stations. Hibbett Sports contributed gifts cards for community residents. Hot 103.9 and the Big DM shared the dates and locations of the Rec2Go events, and they were live on-site for on-air interviews as well as live music broadcasts. Core Academy, a non-profit organization and USDA vendor, furnished the meals and snacks that were handed out.

If the Rec2Go program keeps community residents eager to connect with RCRC then we are more than willing to return the favor and connect with the community. This is an example of how we were able to put our mission in action and enrich lives and connect communities through various recreational events. Due to these events’ success, we are looking forward to continuing to bring Rec2Go summer distributions to children in communities who are unable to attend our summer camps. In the future, we intend to target lower-income neighborhoods to ensure that youth in those areas get recreational opportunities as well.

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SOUTH CAROLINA

RECREATION & PARKS ASSOCIATION

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