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Berkeley County Parks & Recreation seeks $1.2M allocation, urgent capital funds and turf-field planning dollars

Berkeley County Board of Review and Equalization · February 10, 2026

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Summary

Parks & Recreation Director Joe Burton outlined urgent maintenance needs across county parks, requested $1.2 million in increased allocation (or continuation of 50% hotel/motel split) for operations and capital needs, and asked for $30,000 to begin surveying and geotechnical work for an initial turf field at the DuPont Soccer Complex.

Joe Burton, representing Berkeley County Parks & Recreation, presented a comprehensive operations and capital plan that described systemwide usage, revenue and urgent maintenance needs.

Burton said the department manages 20 parks and two recreation centers, reported nearly 35,000 program registrations and 20,000 pool visits this year, and described revenue-generating activities that cover 56% of operations for some facilities. He listed urgent capital and maintenance needs including a barn deck replacement at Poor House Farm Park, siding repairs, lake/dam leak repairs with erosion and muskrat damage, culvert and road repairs at the DuPont Soccer Complex, and fire-alarm and HVAC component replacement at the Randy Smith facility. Burton estimated a $1,000,000 list of urgent needs and described a $1,700,000 next-step cost for the first turf field, asking for $30,000 in the current fiscal year to complete surveying and a geotech study so the turf project can be bid when impact fees are available.

Burton also discussed other park priorities: converting an unused concession stand at DuPont into a permanent restroom (requested capital of $70,000 for conversion), additional pavilion and restroom facilities, parking improvements staged with shale and paving, and long-term maintenance for newly acquired park land (275-acre property identified for future development). He noted anticipated operating-costs for new parks (Inwood Landing estimated in the range of other existing parks) and asked the commission to consider increased allocation of $1.2 million or continuation of a 50% share of the hotel/motel tax.

Commissioners asked questions about prioritization, impact-fee eligibility for capital items (lighting, pavilions, restroom facilities), reserve funds, and potential locations for future facilities. No final appropriation was made at this meeting; Burton requested follow-up on the $30,000 turf-field study and consideration of the $1.2 million allocation.