Here's how 3 Upstate SC parks and recreation areas will spend $1.3M in federal grants

A.J. Jackson, Greenville News
·4 min read

Thirteen recreation projects across South Carolina will see upgrades and improvements on park grounds, boating docks and more as a total of $4.2 million in federal Land and Water Conservation Funds (LWCF) were awarded throughout the state at the end of January.

Three of those thirteen projects will enhance Upstate based parks as Piedmont Riverfront Park (Anderson), Duncan Park (Spartanburg), and Gower Park (Greenville) will see a total of $1.3 million of LWCF dollars applied to their enrichment plans.

These federal funds come in response to increased activity at local parks amid the COVID-19 pandemic, said Samantha Queen, director of communications at S.C. Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism.

A sign marking Land & Water Conservation Fund outdoor recreation from the National Park Service, next to one for Gower Park in Greenville, S.C. Tuesday, January 31, 2023. Thirteen recreation projects in South Carolina were the recipients of federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grants, including $500,000 of the $1,400,000 project at Gower Park to renovate tennis and basketball courts, parking, and add new basketball, pickleball, and tennis courts.

In 2020 outdoor recreation increased as people looked for safe, socially distanced activities. The influx of visitors put a larger demand on parks across the state, Queen said.

In addition, the expansion of Paris Mountain alongside Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area will provide more acreage to two of the more popular state parks, which are intended to provide more access points to greenspaces into northern Greenville County, she added.

Steve Thomason of Greenville, looks at cracks in an aged basketball court in Gower Park in Greenville, S.C. Tuesday, January 31, 2023. Thirteen recreation projects in South Carolina were the recipients of federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grants, including $500,000 of the $1,400,000 project at Gower Park to renovate tennis and basketball courts, parking, and add new basketball, pickleball, and tennis courts.

The 2022 LWCF grant recipients were selected based upon plans and their history of maintaining their parks and administering grants.

Park project upgrades are not expected to begin until summer or fall of 2023 and could expand well into 2024 depending upon the remaining funding needed to complete the upgrades.

Here are the parks that received federal grant funding in the Upstate and will see a major overhaul in upcoming years.

Steve Thomason of Greenville, walks through an aged parking lot near basketball and tennis courts in Gower Park in Greenville, S.C. Tuesday, January 31, 2023. Thirteen recreation projects in South Carolina were the recipients of federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grants, including $500,000 of the $1,400,000 project at Gower Park to renovate tennis and basketball courts, parking, and add new basketball, pickleball, and tennis courts.

Gower Park Renovation, City of Greenville

∎ Federal Grant Total: $500,000 ∎ Total Project Cost: $1,400,000

The spider-web cracks seen on the basketball and tennis grounds are soon to disappear as Gower Park's ball courts will be reupholstered with a resurfaced asphalt for safer hoops and racket-based activities.

Gower Park will also add eight new pickleball courts to the property with an additional renovation headed to the parking lot, which is slated to begin later in 2023, said Jeff Waters, senior capital projects manager at the city of Greenville.

"We want to improve the assets we have to make sure it's safe, attractive and user friendly," Waters said. "We're excited about the new look and making our parks more enjoyable."

Waters anticipates the remaining $900,000 dollars to come from a neighborhood improvement bond package fund, and shortly after those funds are secured, the construction portion of the project will go out to bid.

Laurabeth Mitchell of Spartanburg, S.C. rides along the Daniel Morgan Trail system at Duncan Park in Spartanburg Tuesday, January 31, 2023. Thirteen recreation projects in South Carolina were the recipients of federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grants, including a $300,000 grant toward a $600,000 project to connect the Mary Black Foundation Rail Trail and Daniel Morgan Trail system, replace a wooden bridge with an aluminum one, and remove an invasive plant species in the park.

Duncan Park, City of Spartanburg

∎ Federal Grant Total: $300,000 ∎ Total Project Cost: $600,000

In collaboration with PAL Spartanburg, the city of Spartanburg will upgrade the Mary Black Foundation Rail Trail with just over a mile worth of asphalt upgrades that will expand out across Union Street.

The project will also address the invasive plant species that are beginning to take over the biosystem as Privet, Wisteria, and Eleganus flowers are growing up alongside the trees and choking out the native plants.

"We want to enrich that area naturally," said Ned Barrett trail development manager of PAL Spartanburg. "Duncan Park is a really great property in the middle of the city. The lake is not used, and the woods don't see the same activity as the baseball stadium or tennis courts. We want to activate that entire property to make it available for more people to use."

The final park upgrade will see the reconstruction of a 40-foot wooden bridge and be rebuilt with aluminum materials for easier maintenance and upkeep, Barrett said.

The city of Spartanburg will contribute the remaining $300,000 dollars to the overall project with a timeline of early 2024 for its full completion.

Andrew Wagner of Dacusville fishes in the Saluda River near the land where Phase 1 of the Piedmont Riverfront Park project is, in Piedmont, S.C. Tuesday, January 31, 2023. Thirteen recreation projects in South Carolina were the recipients of federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grants, including Phase 1 will have ADA-accessible kayak launch facility, 5,000 linear fee of ADA-accessible paved sidewalk, improved parking and access, and initial development of nature paths, shoreline access trails, and habitat enhancements, Anderson County presented in February 2022.

Piedmont Riverfront Park Phase One, Anderson County

∎ Federal Grant Awarded: $500,000 ∎ Total Project Cost: $1,210,065

An expansion of the Saluda River Rally and Rhythm on the River are on the horizon as phase one of the 48-mile river corridor development project will introduce additional ADA-compliant kayaking docks for safe launch and takeouts to-and-from the river.

Phase one is the beginning of a six-section project which will eventually connect Powdersville to Ware Sholas via the Saluda River, and additionally promote fishing, walking, experiencing wildlife and duck hunting as a shoreline trail will come with the project upgrade.

"It will fit in neatly with our plans of the Saluda River Blue Trail," said Rusty Burns, Anderson County Administrator. "There will be plenty of room for everyone to enjoy the camp trail, getting back to nature and even concerts by the river.

Andrew Wagner of Dacusville fishes in the Saluda River near the land where Phase 1 of the Piedmont Riverfront Park project is, in Piedmont, S.C. Tuesday, January 31, 2023. Thirteen recreation projects in South Carolina were the recipients of federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grants, including Phase 1 will have ADA-accessible kayak launch facility, 5,000 linear fee of ADA-accessible paved sidewalk, improved parking and access, and initial development of nature paths, shoreline access trails, and habitat enhancements, Anderson County presented in February 2022.

Anderson County has a favorable notice to secure the remaining funds for phase one of the project, yet the source of where it will come from is unknown at the time, said Matt Schell, parks manager for Anderson County.

There is anticipation of the project to conclude near the end of fall 2023.

– A.J. Jackson covers the food & dining scene, along with arts, entertainment and more for The Greenville News and Anderson Independent Mail. Contact him by email at ajackson@gannett.com, and follow him on Twitter @ajhappened. 

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Duncan Piedmont Riverfront Gower Park SC federal LWCF grant funding