SCRPA Magazine Fall 2017

SOUTH CAROLINA RECREATION & PARKS ASSOCIATION

FALL 2017

Adapting Open Spaces to Meet the Needs of Charleston County Residents

THE TRAILS ISSUE • Finding Your Favorite Trail or Space in North Myrtle Beach • Making Connections: The Doodle Trail Park • Inadvertent Trail Discovery • Making Way for the Revitalized Greenway • Creating Sustainable Trails at Anne Springs Close Greenway

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TABLE OF CONTENTS The Association Report................................................................................... 4 Adapting Open Spaces to Meet Needs........................................................ 6 The Trails Issue................................................................................ 8-14 Finding Your Favorite Trail or Space in North Myrtle Beach............. 8-9 Making Connections: The Doodle Trail Park.........................................10 Inadvertent Trail Discovery......................................................................11 Making Way for the Revitalized Greenway.............................................12 Creating Sustainable Trails at Anne Springs Close...............................14

RECREATION & PARKS ASSOCIATION

2017 Board of Directors

ADVERTISER INDEX

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE President Lawanda Curry

Treasurer Randy Woodard

Eastern VP Bridget Elvington

President Elect T.J. Rostin

Past President Eric Stewart

Southern VP Love Ishie

Vice President Doyle Best

Central VP John Alexander

Western VP Ray Dunham

Secretary Amy Evans

BRANCHES - 1 YEAR COMMITMENTS CBM Branch Open

SCAP Branch Jeremy Murphy

ELM Branch Don Shuman

Student Branch Cole Thomas

PRM Branch Eric Russo

SC PRT Representative Matt Elswick

RAP Branch Buddy Faile

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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.

SCRPA • P.O. Box 1046 • Lexington, SC 29071-1046 (p) 803-808-7753 (f) 803-808-7754 www.scrpa.org, info@scrpa.org

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

Membership Services Coordinator: Melissa Williams melissa@scrpa.org

SCRPA MAGAZINE/MARKETING COMMITTEE Jason Burton Horry County Sidney Gray City of Aiken Laurie Helms City of Rock Hill

Kathy Kackley City of North Charleston

Chris Pounder Charleston County

Bob Mihalic Greenville County

Sarah Reynolds Charleston County Joshua Singleton City of Loris

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On the cover: Mullet Hall Run in Charleston County

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Park Planning & Design n Greenways & Trails Recreation Needs Assessments n Sports Complexes

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Fall 2017 • SOUTH CAROLINA Recreation and Parks 3

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THE ASSOCIATION REPORT HAPPY TRAILS TO YOU UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN! This song from 1952 by Roy Rogers and Dale Evans keeps playing over and over in my head.

Even though it is about someone leaving, the person has to travel his/her trail to get to their next destination. Now, in 2017, happy trails takes on a more significant and impactful meaning. In such a technologically advanced world, park and recreation professionals “fight the good fight” to encourage individuals and families, especially our youth, to literally get outside and smell the fresh air.

Here in South Carolina, there are countless opportunities for citizens to visit the great outdoors through motorized and nonmotorized recreational trails. I am fortunate enough in Greenville to have access to almost 20 miles of trail known as the “world famous” Swamp Rabbit Trail (insert sly smile).

The Swamp Rabbit Trail receives more than 500,000 users each year. For the past five years, Slater summer camp has been one of

the groups to visit with Trail Day. More than 50 campers and staff bike and walk almost four miles to Furman University to have a picnic by the lake. Yes, I have biked alongside the campers as well (ask me how that went).

The pure joy and excitement that the campers experience on that day is one of the highlights of the summer and why trails are so important.

Within the pages of this edition, I hope that you will read more stories about the successes we have had in providing trails and open spaces throughout South Carolina and continuing to create community through people, parks, and programs.

In Association news: The DSS Expansion Bill which will require public park and recreation agencies and departments to become certified as a childcare provider though the Department of Social Services is still being debated within the State House.

Jim Headley and Lawanda Curry

The Association is working with legislators to ensure that the bill serves the best interest of the citizens and our members. The PARD (Park and Recreation Development) Fund has received $3 million from recurring dollars.

The Governor vetoed the extra $3 million in nonrecurring. Jim is continuing to work with DHEC on the concession stand regulations to exclude “pre-cooked meat” items and packaged foods thus avoiding the exact same regulations/certifications for all workers as a 4 star Michelin restaurant.

We hope that everyone had a successful summer and will have an amazing fall. If you need anything from the Board, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are here to serve you. I hope to see you on the trail!

Lawanda & Jim

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Adapting Open Spaces to Meet the Needs of Charleston County Residents

By Sarah Scantland, Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission

Charleston has received many accolades over the years as a top city to visit, and with its beautiful landscape, rich history, and everevolving culture, the city is also becoming a popular place to relocate. In fact, the Charleston Metro area’s population increases by an average of 34 new residents each day.

Because of this growth, property development has made open spaces more desired and important. The Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission (CCPRC) has been looking at ways to entice residents of these sprawling communities to its open spaces.

CCPRC is incorporating more passive activities into its open spaces where feasible.

With minimal staffing and environmental impact, such activities can include dog parks, disc golf courses, archery ranges, open picnic areas, and local farmers markets.

Not only are these activities enjoyable, they foster social interaction and physical

Johns Island County Park

Open spaces are so important and treasured in a growing area; even a small patch of land can provide a welcomed outlet for citizens. activity. CCPRC also provides open spaces to outside organizations such as the Lowcountry Stargazers, as well as remote-controlled airplane and boat enthusiasts. Well-attended programs hosted by a third party can promote an agency in a positive light.

Johns Island County Park, established more than 15 years ago, has been primarily used for its Mullet Hall Equestrian Center horse shows and riding trails. When a shift in demographics around the park occurred, and a desire for non-equine activities emerged, the agency wanted to meet the needs of the community. Trails, once used exclusively for riding horses, were developed into an archery range and 3D archery course. Park staff worked together with an Eagle Scout to add new paths, shooting lanes, targets, and signage.

Now, there is a safe and affordable place for parents to teach their children the sport of archery and for hunters to practice skills in a realistic setting during the off season. Even though the property previously existed within the park, its usage is changing to meet the needs of an emerging community.

CCPRC’s 745-acre Laurel Hill County Park is located near several large subdivisions and a recreation complex in bustling Mount Pleasant. Though the park is currently an undeveloped, passive property, CCPRC staff worked to blaze trails at the property to provide running, walking and biking opportunities for families from the nearby subdivisions and throughout the town.

Open spaces are so important and treasured in a growing area; even a small patch of land can provide a welcomed outlet for citizens.

Laurel Hill County Park

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

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SCRPA MAGAZINE FALL 2017

THE TRAILS ISSUE Find Your Favorite Trail or Open Space in North Myrtle Beach

By Angel Rabon, City of North Myrtle Beach Parks & Recreation

North Myrtle Beach (NMB) may be known for its nine miles of beautiful, sandy beaches, but dispersed throughout the city are a variety of trails and open areas for everyone to enjoy. The City of NMB Parks & Recreation maintains many trails and open spaces that provide no-cost recreational opportunities to cycle, walk, jog or just relax.

Preserving the natural landscape is one of the benefits of these trails and open spaces.

The City of NMB offers two preserves that demonstrate just that. The Heritage Shores Nature Preserve is one of the most unique parks in the city. With seven acres of walking trails, the park is located on an island that extends into the marsh. This land is preserved in its native state and is

accessible by a series of elevated boardwalks and observation decks. Interpretive signage throughout the park describes the plants, animals, fish, and birds that can be seen on a stroll.

Located adjacent to the preserve is the Cherry Grove Park and boat ramp. This popular fishing spot is located on the Cherry Grove Marsh and provides boat access to the salt marsh and the Atlantic Ocean. The Russell Burgess Coastal Preserve provides a scenic overview of the picturesque Cherry Grove Marsh where guests enjoy fishing and crabbing. The park provides foot access to the inlet and a boardwalk was added to maintain the important marsh habitat.

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The City of NMB encourages physical fitness and connecting with others through trails and open spaces. Situated throughout the NMB Park & Sports Complex are three trails and a meadow. The Lake Trail is 1.1 miles and provides users the opportunity to view riders at the Shark Wake Park and adventure seekers on the zip lines from the Go-Ape Tree Top Adventure.

At the center of the sports complex is the 12 acre McLeod Seacoast Meadow. This grassed open area is available for general recreation activities as well as special events.

The meadow is a great space for family picnics, relaxation or a multitude of other recreation activities. It is surrounded by a half mile walking path used daily by residents and visitors.

Opening this fall in the sports complex is the 2.5 mile McLeod Seacoast Nature Trail. This trail takes guests through a forest area filled with lush vegetation and a variety of birds and animals.

Allowing sponsorships for these trails and areas provides businesses the opportunity to get involved in promoting an active lifestyle in the community. These City of NMB trails and areas are currently sponsored by local banks and medical centers.

Trails are essential to all cities, and the City of North Myrtle Beach will continue to preserve and maintain their walking paths and open areas for their residents.

Whether it is a stroll around an action packed lake or a quiet hike in the woods, these amenities provide community residents and guests the opportunity to enjoy the diverse environment and the natural beauty of the city.

Fall 2017 • SOUTH CAROLINA Recreation and Parks 9

Groundbreaking of the Pickens Doodle Park and Trail Extension, July 14, 2017.

MAKING CONNECTIONS:

The Doodle Trail Park

By Becky Horace, City of Pickens & Lauren Duffy, Clemson University

The Doodle Trail, a 7.5 mile multi-use asphalt rail-trail, opened in 2015 between the cities of Pickens and Easley in Upstate SC. Initial visitor survey research from Clemson University’s Bike Research Team has documented the successes of the trail.

Examples include increased physical activity along with consumer spending on health, recreation, and exercise items by Doodle Trail users.

City of Pickens officials have continued to push forward to integrate the trail into the fabric of the community and broke ground in July 2017 on the Pickens Doodle Park and trail extension. The trailhead is located a few blocks from the main downtown area.

Creating the park was seen as an important revitalization strategy to help link the trail to the city. Led by Special Projects Manager Becky Horace, funding from different sources was applied for and awarded including:

1. Environmental Protection Agency’s Brownfield Clean-Up Grant to remove lead and asbestos from an old railroad depot left on the property;

Depot, a location for an open-air Farmers Market structure, and other ADA compliant amenities (e.g., restrooms, playground equipment, and outdoor exercise equipment).

2. SC Department of Commerce’s Community Development Block Grant for demolition of the building and installation of cement pads to prevent erosion;

The extension of the Doodle Trail and development of the Pickens Doodle Park are expected to improve quality of life for community members by providing opportunities for outdoor recreation and wellness activities. It will also serve to attract tourists and visitors that can stimulate the local economy. Horace’s advice for communities looking to revitalize is to “ensure you have the vision and plan in place first, then go out and find the funding.

It will make the grant search much easier if you can piece together multiple funding options and show state and federal agencies that you are capable of leveraging several different sources. This will really help your chances for success.”

3. SC Parks, Recreation, and Tourism’s Recreational Trails Program grant to extend the trail to downtown and allow for pedestrian-safe access across a major thoroughfare; 4. A community grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission for the completion of the park.

With a commitment of state and federal funding and a funding match by the City to the project, the park will be able to feature a historic replica of the Pickens Rail

Horace’s advice for communities looking to revitalize is to “ensure you have the vision and plan in place first, then go out and find the funding.”

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Three Rivers Greenway

Inadvertent Trail Discovery

By Neal Hamilton, State Trails Coordinator, SC Parks, Recreation & Tourism

South Carolina is appreciated for its abundant natural beauty – from the mountains to the sea – and I try to recognize the qualities our state has to offer and acknowledge them as much as I can.

I grew up in the Pee Dee and the Midlands, but I’ve spent a lot of good times in the Lowcountry, as well as the Mountains. For whatever reason, “trails” were never the first thing that came to mind when thinking about the allure of our state.

Last year, I had an incredible opportunity to help revitalize the SCTrails.net website. At the time, I was surprised to see that the website was quite popular. But Google Analytics doesn’t lie. After closer evaluation, I realized the site is valued as a resource to both visitors and residents.

Magnolia Plantation

There are trails everywhere in South Carolina – that isn’t an exaggeration – and there are stunning trails in areas I’d have never expected. One trail that was somehow overlooked in my process of matching each trail with the appropriate trail manager was the Outdoor Learning Lab Trail, located at Batesburg–Leesville High School. Classes had just ended and I was only a short drive away, so I thought I should just go check it out for myself.

I used the directions from the old SC Trails website, which led me right to the trailhead. As I was parking, a group of young foxes greeted me at the entrance (no joke). During my pleasant hike, the trail took me by a small rippling stream with large rocks that offered a siting of a deer passing by in the distance. It was evident that someone took great pleasure in keeping this nature trail intact.

I’m a little embarrassed to admit that another trail network I’d never seen first-hand was the Three Rivers Greenway. I’m almost certain I’ve seen every path within this trail network now. The system travels from Cayce/West Columbia to Columbia. I was in an advantageous position to walk, hike and ride a number of South Carolina trails, and each one had a little something special to offer.

Highlights include Santee National Wildlife Refuge, Magnolia Plantation, Harbison State Forest, Cedar Falls Park, Vereen Memorial Gardens, Laurel Hill County Park, Clemson Sandhill REC and Hatcher Garden & Woodland Preserve—the list goes on.

I foresee myself finding trails now wherever I am in the state and one thing is for sure—when I think about what our state has to offer, “trails” certainly comes to mind.

There are stunning trails in areas I’d have never expected.

Outdoor Learning Lab Trail at Batesburg-Leesville High School

Fall 2017 • SOUTH CAROLINA Recreation and Parks 11

Making Way for the Revitalized Greenway

By Bethany Doman, Marketing Coordinator for City of Charleston

The West Ashley Greenway is roughly an 8-mile path that runs parallel to Savannah Highway from South Windemere on Folly Road to Main Road on John’s Island. This greenway is a part of the country’s longest walking and biking trail, the East Coast Greenway which stretches from Maine to Florida and links 15 states and 450 cities in its entirety.

With views of the beautiful marshland and local wildlife on John’s Island and connections to 16 neighborhoods, recreation areas, shopping centers and a library in West Ashley, the Greenway provides a unique space for residents to enjoy the outdoors and travel to commercial destinations.

The West Ashley Bikeway is a 2.5 mile stretch from the Ashley River to Wappoo Road. The City of Charleston is currently working with Charleston County in the joining of the Greenway and Bikeway at Wappoo Road.

“Right now, they provide pedestrian and bicycle connections so you can traverse the entire length of West Ashley without getting in your car,” said Jason Kronsberg, City of Charleston’s Director of Parks and Capital Projects.

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The City of Charleston and non-profit partner Charleston Parks Conservancy will be working with a firm to create a design that is tied into the current West Ashley Master Plan of revitalizing and developing the ever-growing Charleston suburb. With a generous $100,000 donation from the Speedwell Foundation which supports Charleston park projects, they plan to enhance the community’s character, brand, and design of the Greenway and Bikeway.

“This process will evaluate locations where we can add playgrounds, general beautification, water fountains, signage, and community gardens,” said Kronsberg.

Historic station stops, paved paths, lighting, and enhanced drainage networks will also be included in the process.

One of the goals in the revitalization plan is to build a stronger sense of community and connect West Ashley residents.

Through the improvement process for the Greenway and Bikeway, that goal will potentially be met and these two recreational assets of West Ashley will be given new life.

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Fall 2017 • SOUTH CAROLINA Recreation and Parks 13

Creating Sustainable Trails at Anne Springs Close Greenway

By Elizabeth Bowers, Development and Marketing Manager, Anne Springs Close Greenway

New mountain biking and hiking trails at the Anne Springs Close Greenway in Fort Mill, SC are now open and accessible from the Recreation Complex and Adventure Road trail heads.

To assist with the trail construction project, the Anne Springs Close Greenway contracted Long Cane Trails, LLC, a Carolina-based trail building company specializing in trail layout, design and construction of multi-use trails intended for hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians.

These trails have been built with long-term sustainability in mind while ensuring user enjoyment in the flow of the trail. Focusing on erosion control and proper drainage, this methodology for trail building limits the impact on the natural environment.

“Trail building isn’t rocket science, but there is a science to it,” said Josh Patterson, natural resource manager for the Anne Springs Close Greenway. “It’s important to take things like slope into account because haphazard trail building can negatively impact what you’re trying to preserve. We’re

building our new trails at least 50 feet away from streams and ponds, which allows brush to filter the sediment out of rainwater and lets our streams breathe.”

In working with Long Cane Trails to develop the Greenway’s own Master Trails Plan, the organization is now at a capacity to build more of these trails on the property, ensuring they are maintained and available as part of the Greenway for the lifetime of the trail. The newly opened trails are part of a phased approach at building new trails on the Greenway to replace trails moved for environmental purposes and to increase the trail system at large.

The Anne Springs Close Greenway maintains approximately 40 miles of trails including access for hiking, mountain biking and equestrian use. The Greenway welcomed more than 256,000 visitors in 2016 from around the Charlotte region, who cited hiking and mountain biking among their favorite activities. For more information on trails and how to join, text Greenway to 515-55.

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Fall 2017 • SOUTH CAROLINA Recreation and Parks 15

SOUTH CAROLINA RECREATION & PARKS ASSOCIATION

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