Committee seeks financial help for Williamson Park

One of Darlington’s crown jewels since 1927 has been Williamson Park, a woodland preserve of 60 acres.

And the Williamson Park Committee wants to make sure it remains a crown jewel. Jennie Williamson, chairwoman of the committee, appeared before Darlington City Council on Tuesday night to seek financial assistance for the city-owned park. She said the committee has been developing a master plan for park improvements.

“The goal is to rejuvenate the park to pre-Hurricane Hugo levels,” she said. “We want to keep the park as the bottomland hardwood woodland preserve it’s always been. But we also want to increase community appreciation and use of the park by improving its function as a cypress swamp and improving low-impact access to it.”

Williamson said the committee’s priority is to reconnect the loop trail that crosses Swift Creek “back by the old sewer line.”

She said the committee is getting a design proposal developed and will have a more exact figure in six to eight weeks.

“However, we estimate that this first phase may come close to $275,000,” she said. “We are asking you to consider that amount for the park.”

The first phase consists of building bridges and boardwalks.

“Although the committee has begun fundraising efforts and looks for appropriate grants,” she said, “our small sums can’t accumulate quickly enough to take on a project like this. We simply can’t make this loop connection without the city’s help.”

Among others appearing before council on the committee’s behalf was Andy Cohen.

“Williamson Park is a unique 60-plus acre parcel of land and the city is lucky to have it,” Cohen said. “Due to the damage Hurricane Hugo did in 1989, much of the park still remains inaccessible to our community.

“I realize times are hard and the council has to prioritize use of monies collected for the new hospitality tax. But at the same time, I would submit that park has been neglected far too long. I would appreciate your kind consideration for appropriation of funds to begin restoring the park so that people can actually walk around and enjoy the beauty this area has to offer.”

Mayor Tony Watkins thanked the committee members for appearing before council but no action was taken.