More than $140,000 in Countywide PARD Grants Approved
Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer
Anderson County communities are in line for more than $140,000 in state parks and recreation money under a slate of projects endorsed by South Carolina Senator Richard Cash, chairman of the Anderson County Legislative Delegation. The proposed awards, using Park and Recreation Development (PARD) funds, would support park upgrades and playground improvements in Anderson County, Belton, Iva, Pendleton, West Pelzer, Williamston and the Piedmont Public Service District, with local governments providing a required 20 percent match.
What the funding would support
Under the proposal, Anderson County will receive $30,000 to expand parking at Wellington Park in House District 11 and Senate District 4, covering stormwater drainage, site grading, stone base, asphalt, curb stops and striping.
The City of Belton will receive their three requests tied to Terry Martin Park and the Serena Land/Farmers Market site: $6,400 for a 20-by-20-foot putting green, $9,600 for code-compliant fall surfacing at the Terry Martin Park playground, and another $9,600 for similar safety surfacing at the Serena Land/Farmers Market playground.
The Town of Iva will receive $28,000 for upgrades to the playground at Elsie Evans Park, including repair or replacement of existing equipment. Additional funding is requested for new bleachers—$10,000—to replace units damaged by Hurricane Helene in House District 3, with a $2,500 local match.
The Town of Pendelton will receive $10,000 for Veterans Park Faculty Upgrades to replace and install the bleachers damaged by Hurricane Helene in House District 6, Senate District 3, and requires a $2,500 local match.
In the Piedmont Public Service District, officials will receive $20,000 for Thomas Pack Park, a package that includes overhauling fall zones under play equipment, replacing hazardous structures, laser grading a ballfield, and making Americans with Disabilities Act–related improvements.
Several smaller municipalities have projects in line as well. The Town of West Pelzer gets $10,000 for Chapman Park to buy and install new playground equipment for children ages 2–12 and related items, in House District 9 and Senate District 4. Nearby Williamston will receive $20,000 for electrical upgrades and related work at Mineral Springs Park, also in House District 9 and Senate District 4.
Taken together, the PARD requests total $143,600 in state funds, according to the letter to Senator Cash. With a current Anderson County PARD balance of $267,308.74, approval of all projects would leave $123,708.74 available for future recreation improvements.
