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Columbia, S.C. – Ten South Carolina projects will receive support from the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) for the acquisition or development of outdoor recreation areas and facilities. The South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism (SCPRT) is currently accepting letters of intent from eligible entities for the next round of LWCF funding.

The LWCF is a federal grant available to eligible local and state government entities to reimburse up to 50% of the project cost to acquire or develop outdoor recreation areas and facilities. Any property that uses LWCF money must be maintained in perpetuity as an active and viable outdoor recreation site. 

“These days, not everything is built to last, which is what makes LWCF projects special,” said SCPRT Director Duane Parrish. “All projects supported by LWCF dollars must exist in perpetuity, so we know people will be enjoying these spaces and the outdoor recreation opportunities they offer for generations to come. We congratulate the award winners for the $2.4 million in funding that South Carolina projects are receiving, and we invite other eligible entities to submit letters of intent by December 17 to take advantage of this unique opportunity.”

The following 10 projects were selected in the 2021 LWCF cycle:

• Town of Bluffton | New Riverside Barn Park
  Grant Award: $500,000 | To develop a passive, nature-focused park centered around an iconic red barn at the southwest gateway into Bluffton. Phase I includes constructing parking areas, an event lawn, a multi-purpose lawn, a festival lawn, the east meadow, and restrooms.
• Town of Cheraw | Arrowhead Park Sports Lighting Retrofit
  Grant Award: $344,319 | To replace lighting and electrical panels on six ballfields at Arrowhead Park.
• Greenville County | Pleasant Ridge & Southside Parks
  Grant Award: $300,000 | To create a disc golf course, renovate/rebuild park shelters, renovate restroom facilities, and construct ADA compliant access routes and parking.
• Irmo Chapin Recreation Commission | Saluda Shoals Park
  Grant Award: $125,000 | To upgrade and renovate the splash pad, adding elements that provide inclusive use and wheelchair accessibility. A wheelchair storage area, picnic shelter, and additional ADA access pathways will also be added.
• City of Lake City | Blanding Street Park
  Grant Award: $201,700 | To create a “cornerstone of recreation” for residents by developing multi-purpose fields, constructing a walking track, installing a pump station and sewer line, burying power lines, and adding fencing, lighting and landscaping.
• City of Myrtle Beach | Expansion of Withers Swash Park
  Grant Award: $175,000 | To purchase 3.89 acres to provide public access and connectivity with the existing boardwalk between Kings Highway and Ocean Boulevard, and to Broadway Street on the west end. In three years, the City plans to develop an elevated boardwalk, pedestrian trails and other outdoor amenities.
• City of Newberry | Wise Street Park Renovation
  Grant Award: $175,000 | To create a community garden, increase ADA accessible connectivity, replace a playground and renovate a ballfield, basketball courts and parking area.
• South Carolina State Park Service | Gap Creek Access – Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area
  Grant Award: $144,000 | To acquire property to provide a third access point to more than 14,000 acres in the Mountain Bridge Wilderness area.
• South Carolina State Park Service | Paris Mountain Gospel/Furman Face
  Grant Award: $40,000 | To acquire acreage near Paris Mountain State Park for “The Necklace” trail project.
• Spartanburg County | Va-Du-Mar McMillian Park Athletic Field Lighting 
  Grant Award: $412,500 | To provide lighting on the multi-purpose sports fields.

SCPRT serves as South Carolina’s LWCF lead agency. The LWCF program is administered by the National Park Service. Grants range from $50,000 - $300,000, with projects of statewide or regional significance qualifying for up to $500,000 (with pre-approval). Property must be owned outright by the applicant to be eligible. 

Eligible entities interested in applying for LWCF grants must submit their letter of intent forms to SCPRT by December 17, 2021. Submission instructions are included on the form.

Find additional award criteria, contact information and eligibility information here. Learn more about SCPRT grant programs at scprt.com/grants.

For more information, contact Sam Queen at sam@scprt.com or 803-767-3568. 

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