Kershaw County officials say park projects largely complete; Woodward Park delayed by weather and subsurface issues

The Kershaw County Recreation Advisory Commission told County Council on Feb. 10 that four major park projects are nearly finished but that one—Woodward Park—remains delayed by weather and unexpected subsurface conditions.

"At KC West, we're about 98% complete," said Rick J., who presented the commission's update, adding that Copeland Park is finished and Boyd Young Park is about 99% complete. He said Woodward Park is about "80 to 85" percent complete and that a compaction test and asphalt work have been postponed because of recent cold and wet weather. "We had to retest and hopefully we'll be able to jump move forward," he said.

The commission reported increases in youth program participation year over year: youth basketball up 46 participants; baseball up 41; fall baseball up 38; and softball and football modestly higher. Rick J. said the county now fields multiple youth teams in parts of the North Central area that previously had to travel to Camden.

Council members pressed for a final accounting of project costs and contingency spending. Councilman Jimmy Jones asked for specific dollar figures and asked whether the projects remained within the initial budget. County staff and commission members said the projects were planned from an initial budget of roughly $12,000,000 and that staff will provide a final report once contracts are closed out and the county's engineering consultant completes closeout documentation. The administrator said contingency funds have been reserved pending final testing and completion work.

Commission and staff members also urged modest operational steps to protect new assets: adding split‑rail or wooden fencing, installing gates at certain park entrances, and increasing sheriff's patrols during times when vehicle damage has occurred. "We're not trying to keep kids and critters out of it—we're trying to keep vehicles," the presenter said, recommending gates and additional fencing around vulnerable boat‑ramp parking areas.

Council members said they favored waiting for the fields to be safe before opening them for play rather than risking injury. On timing, the commission said it hopes Woodward Park can host games during the spring season if weather and compaction tests allow and predicted a likely opening in the spring or by April for some activities.

The council directed staff to obtain an engineering closeout and a final financial accounting for each project and to report back to council once the firms submit their final invoices and closeout reports. The commission and council members emphasized that the county intends to finish projects without raising taxes and that the recreation work supports public health and economic development.

Ending: Council members thanked the commission for the work and asked staff to provide the requested financial details at a future meeting.