6 minute read
Parks and Recreation
Recreation
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You know life is good when there are numerous opportunities to enjoy the beautiful outdoors. Start with a relaxing walk along the banks of Swan Lake for a perfect summer evening stroll. Sumter is home to a variety of parks, trails and sporting facilities that are designed for all ages. With more than 30 public parks, a tennis complex and a public pool at their disposal, Sumter residents always have something to do or somewhere to go.
The City of Sumter Aquatics
Center has served the Sumter community and the surrounding area for more than 16 years, focusing on water safety. Through educational efforts and awareness, learning how to swim is important in Sumter, South Carolina. Sumter is centrally located with easy access to coastal beaches, lakes, rivers and ponds calling us to enjoy the water safely! The City of Sumter Aquatics Center also provides refreshing water activities to serve Sumter and surrounding communities. Fun starts with the open tube slide, wade pool, beach entrance and fountain; it also meets requirements for competition swim meets with six swim lanes, an electronic timer and touch pads and diving blocks. Lifeguards and water safety instructors are on-site during the season, which doubles as a great summer job or possibly a career opportunity.
Dillon Park is a family and Fido- friendly park with baseball, soccer and football fi elds, a paved walking trail and a dog park. Most recently was the completion of a Penny for Progress project that includes three new football fi elds, a pavilion, a press box and storage building. With the new renovations, the park will be able to host tournaments and other sporting events. Dillon Park is more than an incredible outdoor space for organized athletic events. Picnic shelters, playgrounds and grassy open space provides for an outing of fun-fi lled days! Adjacent to the park is Crystal Lakes, an 18-hole public golf course with a full-service club house. A day on the course for a challenging round of golf, the popular disc golf and multiple programs for teens are offered.
If you like baseball, Bobby Richardson Sports Complex, named for former Major League Baseball player and Sumter native Bobby Richardson is another great place to go. It features an observation tower in addition to a fan-friendly covered spectator area. Sumter has hosted the USSSA, ISA, WFC and Dixie Youth tournaments.
We also have Riley Park, home of the champion American Legion P-15’s, a 2,000-seat professional-quality stadium. In addition to the P-15’s, it also hosts the USC Sumter Fire Ants and the Morris College Hornets as well as two softball teams as part of the new American Legion Softball league, the Legends and The Storm.
The Palmetto Tennis Center is a facility nationally awarded and recognized in 2004 and again in 2018. This award-winning facility is located inside
Palmetto Park and boasts 24 state-of-the-art tennis courts that are also lit for night play. Four PTR-certifi ed, on-site tennis pros offer private, group and competitive training for beginner to advanced youth players ages 4 to 18 through the Palmetto Training Tennis Center. All ages and families enjoy playing tennis and pickleball. A variety of adult programs entice those who enjoy competitive league play or a relaxing game of friendly play, which is what keeps them coming back. The center hosts professional and amateur events, such as the USTA’s Pro Circuit Palmetto Pro Open, the National Zonal Event and the ITA Southeast Regional Championships.
Patriot Park Sportsplex is beautifully designed for the athletes, spectators and family members before, during and after tournament play with fi ve baseball/ softball fi elds and six soccer fi elds. It’s always a busy place with local athletic training, competitive play, organized sporting events and travel sports.
Competitive lifestyles could have trouble fi nding the time to enjoy all the 5/10k races held almost monthly, and most are fundraisers for local nonprofi t organizations. Walks and runs lead to another popular event that includes short and long-distance biking, the Oktoberfest Metric Century Ride and more excitement for the sports enthusiast. The annual TriSumter Triathlon serves as a family friendly catalyst for the swimmer, biker, and runner. This is a USAT-sanctioned sprint race with a 300-yard pool swim, a 17-mile bike course and a 5k running course.
Located within Manchester State Forest is Poinsett State Park encompassing more than 1,000 acres. This park offers separate trails for hiking, biking and riding. The park has a wildlife center that is the perfect place to become acquainted with local species indigenous to South Carolina. While a hike through one of the many trails offers an ideal light recreation experience, many opt for Sumter’s 14-mile portion of the Palmetto Trail, a 425-mile long trail that runs from the mountains to the sea. It’s the perfect combination of relaxation and exercise that offers an exceptional view of the wildlife and natural beauty of Sumter County.
TENNIS
International Pro Circuit, National, Southern, Regional, State & Local Events
FREE Recreational Play Youth and Adult Group or Private Lessons, Leagues, Drills & More!
SPORT FOR LIFE...
8 State of the Art Red Clay Courts Coming in 2021!
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www.sumtertennis.com
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Sumter Christian School does not discriminate on the basis of race or national origin. Call now for information 773-1902 or visit www.sumterchristian.org
