I saw a few updates over the weekend about Recreation Facilities in other cities. As a McLeod Park mom, I think that McLeod Park facilities are an absolute disgrace to the City of Florence. I was embarrasssed when family members from out of town came here and one asked for the restroom?
My answer? ”Here- take my car. There is a gas station on Cashua.”
Yes,iIt is THAT bad. I won’t let my daughter go to the bathroom there. I understand that there are many different places that pull at all of those tax dollars. I certainly see a difference even in some county facilities– the baseball fields at Savannah Grove are much nicer than what we have at McLeod Park.
I understand that there may be more important things. However, I think other cities and counties are able to find ways to fund these efforts. I know that I have to sell coupon books for soccer fundraising– maybe its time this was offered for baseball as well. I know that I’m happy to help find a way — if I felt certain that the money would go to improving the facility itself.
I posted this on facebook a while ago and got a lot of heated answers. What are your thoughts?
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Agreed that we have issues, agree that we can do something about it (that’s the great thing about living in FLO!)
Here are some places to start:
Adopt A Park Program: http://www.cityofflorence.com/departments/parks/beautification/adopt-a-park.aspx
City of Florence Parks Commission: http://www.cityofflorence.com/departments/parks/commission.aspx
Please let me know if I can help in any way. Love the survey idea, in my opinion adopting the parks may be the best route, once a group is organized then the volunteers could work with the commission to ensure that budget $ is allocated to the parks that need it. Our community has a voice and a forum, we just need to push forward and make it clear that this is important to us
Thanks,
Tara
taradurdenATgmail.com
Timrod bathrooms are terrible and I have complained to the Mayor. In this instance, it is apparant that criminal activity had occurred in the restroom. I ended up helping a child ho had come into the restroom unchaperoned avoid a very gross situation. I agree, more people should complain. It would not be that difficult for more of a police presence at the parks. Additionally, I would suggest that the public restrooms be locked at 10:00 pm and opened at 8:00 am. And, inmate labor could be used to clean the facilities and the parks. Let’s get together Florence and help solve this diliemma. The cleaner the parks and the facilities, the better for attracting industry and projects. The Timrod tennis courts should be a spill over facility for the Tennis Center with statewide tournaments and the bathrooms do not shine well for Florence.
Tami, I totally agree with you. Tha’s why I don’t like using any of the facilities in parks and such around Florence.
facilities seem to be a problem everywhere you go and I cannot understand why they are NEVER kept up and cleaned to where people would want to use them~ It is a SHAME!
It sounds like y’all need someone with a Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management degree to save the day! My name is Jennifer and I grew up in Florence. I have a degree from Clemson University in Parks, Reaction and Tourism Management and I’m happy too see Florentine’s who WANT to contribute and take pride in our parks and recreation facilities.
First thing that needs to happen is make sure these complaints about the facilities and equipment reach the decision makers. They are probably aware that the recreation facilities aren’t well used but they probably don’t understand why. Once they are aware of the situation they can fix it. A user survey is usually the preferred way to get information. Without information and data the people who call the shots and allocate money can’t prove it as a need (bathroom facilities NEED to be cleaner, equipment NEEDS to be updated).
The idea of raising funds specifically for the parks and recreation facilities is obtainable. What I understand y’all to want is referred to as a “Friend’s of…” organization. State and National parks have been using their “Friend’s of” groups to accomplish and provide things that their allocated funds can’t afford. As a “Friends of” group YOU as an organization can choose how the funds are used. If that’s setting up a grant to pay for the janitor to clean more then that’s what it’s used for. Or if you want to put a new play set, go shopping, pick one out, and market the daylights out of the plan to raise the money!
I will admit that I didn’t participate in the last round of voting that affect our taxes so I don’t know where the increases are. States and counties tax things differently, like the road improvement tax a few years ago. Unless the tax for recreation goes up the money provided for recreation by the state and county doesn’t go up. Charleston has a higher recreation tax than Florence does so they have more money flowing into their local parks and park based programs.
I hope this helps form a plan of action and a better understanding of how to help. Complain, it proves a point. Form a “Friends of” group, you control the way funds are allocated and remember just because taxes overall go up doesn’t mean money for the parks increases.
I am new to Florence. I am really surprised how far behind this city is in lots of ways. I feel as if I have stepped back in time about ten years. I have two kids, and we would love to help in any way.
Robin makes a very good point!!
Maybe we should take care of the parks we have – instead of building new ones?
I agree. I think it’s embarrassing to have guests come to watch games or enjoy the parks and not have decent facilities for them to use. While I support the downtown revitalization 100%, I wish that Florence could take the same pride in the exhisting attractions. I also agree that fundraising is not out of the question. Most citizens are happy to support the children of our community who are involved in positive activities.
I have only been to two parks – Maple Park & Savannah Grove. I didn’t use the facilities at Savannah Grove, but could tell that, at least from the outside, they look like they are in way better shape than the ones at Maple Park. Maple Park just needs to have a few port-a-potties set up out there. I’d rather use those than what’s there.
I buy coupon books every year to help support sports. I’d be more than willing to help donate so that the facilities could be upgraded for the kids & those that come to watch them play.
As a resident of this city, I too am appalled at the condition of McLeod park. Perhaps our fair county or city council will find the money to fund improvements since they have raised the county taxes.
Being a grandmom with kids in other states I usually don’t get to the parks much. But I definately support the town and teams! I have bought the coupon books for a baseball team before but not sure how much actually goes to the team or facillities. I think when you sell things from companies a big portion goes back to them and not much to the sellers/groups.
Cake sales, car washes? things that don’t cost anyone alot of money and all could be donated to fix things up? Even ask for volunteers, I would help, to make things better. We have to have pride in our communities. And it would help the kids too!
Add Maple Park to that too. The facilities are older than dirt. The folks that work there do an outstanding job with keeping up with what they have. But it’s not in very good shape. And you’re right, Savannah Grove has an outstanding facility.
Look at the outstanding play and recognition McLeod Park and Maple Park has brought to Florence. Maple has had a team in the LL or DY World Series 2 straight years. Both have represented the state well. They need new (or greatly updated) facilities.
I haven’t been here too long but I know here in Charleston, the shape of your park definitely depends on where you are in town. Since I run and will be coaching track here in the Fall, I can definitely comment on the tracks. The nicest track in the area is Park West, which is a rather expensive community just north of Mt. P. It’s rubberized and the track was built just before the recession. They also have a beautiful pool, football fields, and a manmade hill for the runners. Those who live in Park West pay a premium HOA for these amenities, but there’s also a big sign of sponsors for the Mt. Pleasant Track Club hanging on the fence by the track. Now, go over to North Charleston track. Lane 1 is in horrible shape, there are cracks everywhere, the track is concrete, and the ants are so bad no one would dare put their water bottle on the ground. In fact, if you’re resting or stretching, you have to stay ON THE TRACK to avoid getting bitten by ants. Both of these facilities are in Charleston County- but one has HUGE community support and the other, not so much.
A few of the parks/playgrounds I’ve been to here just had portapotties, not actual bathrooms. It sorta made me miss the bathrooms at Ebenezer Park- well, when kids weren’t trying to set fires in them… =/. Seriously
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As a kid-less single 28 yr old I don’t frequent the local recreational complexes much these days, but I remember being grossed out by the bathrooms as a kid. I’m sad to see things still haven’t’ changed.