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Community asks for clarity on Stephen Washington Park work; mayor outlines roughly $400,000 scope
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Summary
Grace Triangle Association and residents asked why work at Stephen Washington Park stalled in January 2026 and sought timelines and budgets. The mayor and staff said three PAR grants plus city funds total about $400,000 for repairs and playground equipment but that bathrooms are not included and staff will meet with the community to finalize timing.
Community representatives told the Charleston City Recreation Committee they need clearer timelines and budgets for repairs at Stephen Washington Park, where work on a Phase 1 shelter stopped in January 2026.
Henrietta Martin, CEO and president of the Grace Triangle Association, said the group completed Phase 1 of a four-phase master plan and was told work stopped in January 2026. She asked the committee when work on Phase 2 (restroom), Phase 3 (playground equipment) and Phase 4 (baseball field upgrades) would resume and requested updated budgets for each phase.
Edmund Moe, interim section chief in the capital projects division, told the committee staff had applied for three PAR grants across consecutive years and that there was a small funding shortage for playground equipment the city intended to cover; he said he did not have the most current line-by-line budget at the meeting. Council member Skarden said she had discussed the item with the mayor and asked staff to coordinate a clear phase schedule with Grace Triangle Association.
The mayor told the committee staff had prepared a tentative scope and budget that aggregates to about $400,000 from three PAR grants and city contributions to cover parking repairs, fencing, playground equipment and some field cleanup; the mayor said the figure did not include restroom construction. He urged prompt action to avoid rising construction costs and offered to meet with community representatives to review the tentative scope and allow for community input.
The committee did not make a formal decision at the April 16 meeting; staff committed to provide a clearer schedule, the detailed budget breakdown for Phase 2 and follow up with community leaders.
