Edgefield County broke ground on a $2.45 million regional recreation complex Nov. 4 at the corner of Rabbit Trail Road and Star Road, setting in motion a nine-acre project that will bring pickleball courts, sports fields and a splash pad to the area. County council members gathered for the ceremonial start of construction. The project is a recreation investment for the county.
A Nine-Acre Complex Takes Shape Near Rabbit Trail Road
The park, located at 358 Star Road just off Rabbit Trail Road near Edgefield, is expected to open by May 2027, according to WRDW. The Post and Courier, however, reported in its groundbreaking headline that the park is expected to open next June, leaving the exact timeline attributed differently depending on the outlet. Edgefield County Council awarded the $1.83 million construction contract to Ninety Six-based Threlko, Inc. in September, after the firm submitted the lowest of four bids received, the Post and Courier reported in an earlier story on the contract award.
Plans call for a football field, a large soccer field, a youth soccer field, one basketball court and six pickleball courts, along with a large playground featuring adaptive equipment and a splash pad, per WRDW's reporting. Two picnic shelters, restroom facilities, benches and a concession area for food trucks during games round out the planned amenities. A three-quarter-mile asphalt multi-use walking trail is also planned to eventually connect Star Park with the existing Ten Governors Trail, according to the Post and Courier's earlier coverage of the contract award.
How the $2.45 Million Price Tag Breaks Down
WRDW reports the project's base cost at $2.45 million, paid for through a $750,000 state appropriation, $500,000 from a Land and Water Conservation Grant and a $500,000 county match. The remaining $700,000, per the same account, is expected to come from the county's recreation fund, additional grants, donations and in-kind construction help. Coverage of the county match differs on its exact source: WRDW reports it was funded by interest from the state's plutonium settlement money from 2022, while Kicks 99 reports the match came from interest on the state's 2020 plutonium settlement money, according to Kicks 99.
Earlier reporting on the project described different figures altogether. A Post and Courier report on the county's capital improvement plan characterized Star Park as a $2.3 million project, with future grants and General Fund set-asides expected to cover roughly $1 million of that total. A separate earlier Post and Courier report on the contract award said the county would contribute about $180,000 of its own money, with a $500,000 federal grant among the outside funding sources — figures that differ from the $500,000 county match and $500,000 Land and Water Conservation Grant described in more recent coverage. The evidence available does not reconcile these differing accounts.
Local Officials at the Groundbreaking
Dean Campbell is Edgefield County Council chairman for District 3-Johnston, and Nick Wates is the county's parks and recreation director.
All members of Edgefield County Council were present at the Nov. 4 groundbreaking, alongside state lawmakers who helped secure the project's funding. State Senator Shane Massey and state Representatives Bill Clyburn and Bill Hixon each helped secure roughly 30% of Star Park's funding through a state appropriation and attended the ceremony. Council members Jerry Moody of District 5-North Augusta, Tiffani Ireland of District 2-Edgefield, Albert Talbert of District 1-McCormick and Jackie Kennion of District 4-Trenton rounded out the county's representation at the event.
Construction is expected to take roughly eight months from groundbreaking to opening. The nine-acre site off Rabbit Trail Road is planned for fields, courts and a trail that county leaders say will give Edgefield residents recreation options they haven't had before.
