Dozens of kids and families streamed onto freshly resurfaced ball fields in Camden on Thursday as Woodward Park officially reopened following a $10 million renovation. The celebration featured a ribbon cutting and games across the park's new baseball, softball and soccer fields, marking the end of a project that had kept the longtime recreation hub closed to the public.
Woodward Park reopened with games on all fields as part of the reopening event. Health Services District of Kershaw County Board Chairman Derial Ogburn cut the ceremonial ribbon, with Kershaw County Parks and Recreation Director Shane Duncan and Deputy County Administrator Gerald Blanchard also on hand for the milestone.
The overhaul reshaped much of the park's footprint. The rear baseball diamonds became a four-field baseball complex complete with batting cages and a new concession and restroom building, while the former tennis courts and an old soccer field were converted into three dedicated soccer fields serving U13/adult, U11 and U5/U7 teams. The park also got a repaved entry and exit road bordering the soccer fields, an upgraded parking lot, and two new basketball courts.
A Decades-Old Park Gets a Modern Makeover
Woodward Park first opened in 1974 and, before the renovation, featured five baseball fields, tennis courts and other outdoor recreation space, per WLTX. The station reports the finished park now includes four baseball fields, outdoor basketball courts, soccer fields, an ADA-compliant playground, a walking trail and more than 400 parking spaces. That trail now connects Woodward Park to nearby Scott Park.
Major construction work began in February 2025, the same report states. Elsewhere, Woodward Park was expected to reopen sometime in 2026 as the full renovation played out.
Funding Came Without Local Tax Dollars
The $10 million project was funded in part by MUSC Health and the Health Services District of Kershaw County, which together covered half the cost. The remainder came through American Rescue Plan Act funds, meaning the renovation was completed without county tax dollars, the same outlet's report notes.
Duncan pointed to youth demand as a driving force behind the investment. “We had 1,077 kids play baseball and softball this past spring so it's definitely a need for it,” he told WLTX. The county has also discussed plans to host a Diamond Youth Baseball All-Star Tournament the following spring, according to the same report.
Scaled Back From an Even Bigger Vision
The completed renovation is a scaled-down version of what county officials originally proposed. As one report put it, “The project is a scaled-down version of what was originally proposed, which would have transformed the park into a sports complex.” Earlier county discussions had floated a far larger buildout; the PARD Commission had unanimously recommended spending the same $10 million to reconfigure Woodward Park into a true sports complex.
Family Night Capped Off the Celebration
Thursday's celebration, presented in partnership with MUSC Health, the Health Services District of Kershaw County and Kershaw County Government, was billed as a ribbon-cutting ceremony and Family Night beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the park's address on Ballpark Road, according to Kool 102.7. The station reported the evening would include food trucks, concessions and chances for families to enjoy the park's new walking trail and playground.
Kool 102.7 reported the games were scheduled to run from 6 to 7:30 p.m. following the ribbon cutting. The reopening put the fields to use, giving Camden families a long-awaited return to one of the county's signature recreation spots.
