Summerton park to be completed in the fall

A small plot of land is in the process of becoming a park for Summerton residents to use and enjoy at their leisure.

Mary Franklin Harvin, daughter of the late C. Alex Harvin III and Cathy B. Harvin, who served in the House of Representatives for the Summerton community, has donated a piece of land for a new park to be built in honor of her mother.

The park, located on 0.37 acres on Church Street and Larry King Highway - near the Summerton Early Childhood Center - is expected to be finished by the fall.

"Once the land was donated, county council agreed to find the money to build the park," LeBon Joye, recreation director for Clarendon County, said. "Once the park is complete, it will be turned over to the town of Summerton."

Because Harvin donated the property to Clarendon County, it is the county's responsibility until completion, then the town of Summerton will take over maintenance moving forward.

When Mayor Tony Junious of Summerton heard about the project, his first thoughts were that the park would have a "positive perspective of beautification" for the town.

"Citizens will now have a place to be able to sit down and have a small picnic, maybe sit down and have a nice cup of coffee or tea," he said, "in an area that is conducive and safe."

Although the park does not have a name yet and will not feature a playground because of its size, it will have a few picnic tables, trash cans and grassy areas to sit or play on.

According to Joye, some teachers at the childhood center plan to bring their students to the park to have class, "to give them a different scenery."

Construction for the park began in early May, and depending on supply chains, material deliveries, weather, landscaping and other factors, Billy Timmons, Clarendon County engineer, says the park should be up and running in the fall.