Leigh T. Cheatham Director of Communications Phone: (803) 754-6720 x233 Email:leigh@rcrc.state.sc.us
Welcome to the Richland County
Recreation Commission's media room. We post the latest
information about the Commission, special events, programs/activities
and news coverage.
Be sure to check with us regularly – new things are always
happening at the Richland County Recreation Commission!
IN
THE NEWS . . . .
11/9/11
RCRC remains Nationally Accredited
Columbia,
S.C. (November 9, 2011) – In 2006, the Richland County
Recreation Commission (RCRC) became the first and only recreation
agency in South Carolina to be nationally accredited by the
Commission of Accreditation for Park and Recreation Agencies
(CAPRA). On Thursday, November 3, 2011, CAPRA officially reaccredited
RCRC during the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA)
Congress and Exposition, which was held in Atlanta, Georgia.
RCRC is one of only 104 accredited Parks and Recreation agencies
in the United States and is still the only nationally accredited
agency in South Carolina.
“I am very proud of the staff who led us through
this process once again,” said Commission Chair J. Marie Green.
“This recognition helps to validate that RCRC provides a high
level of recreation services and programming for the residents
of Richland County.”
CAPRA accreditation is the only national accreditation
for park and recreation agencies. The process of obtaining
and maintaining accreditation is a rigorous and multi-year
process and is valid for five years. CAPRA is comprised of
10 major categories: Agency Authority, Role and
Responsibility; Planning; Organization and Administration;
Human Resources; Financial Management; Program and Service
Management; Facility and Land Use Management; Safety and Security;
Risk Management and Evaluation and Research. Within these
categories are 144 standards of which an agency must meet
100% of 36 fundamental standards and 85% of the remaining
108 standards. RCRC met 100% of the fundamental standards
and 96% of the remaining standards.
In the report developed by the CAPRA Visitation
Team, one team member stated that “the level of professionalism
and diversity in backgrounds that lead this agency is impressive
and is paramount in the success they are achieving today and
in the future.”
The
State Newspaper: 11/3/11 Keeping History Alive: Venerable School Saved
As recently as a decade ago, some people in the Pine Grove community were in favor of tearing down the old, wooden community center.
Its roof and windows leaked. The floor sagged and was covered with old tiles laced with asbestos, making repairs dangerous and expensive. Some nearby residents pleaded with the Richland County Recreation Commission to tear the old building down and build a modern community center.
“We asked for it to be destroyed because it was old and raggedy and we could not keep it up,” Georgella Foust said. “We didn’t know what we had.”
When the Pine Grove School opened in 1923, it was a step up from the wooden structure next to Pine Grove A.M.E. Church that had previously served as the school for black children in the neighborhood.
The new Pine Grove School was built with money from the Rosenwald Fund, a philanthropic foundation that provided grants for the construction of close to 5,000 rural schools for black children in the South in the 1920s and 1930s.
The Richland County Recreation Commission is pleased to announce that our agency was the recipient of a very special grant that helps to support our agency’s recycling efforts.
The Richland County Recreation Commission believes in the importance of recognizing employees and local partnerships and every year during the South Carolina Park and Recreation Association’s (SCRPA) Annual Conference, awards are given to recognize special achievements of park and recreation professionals, as well as local partnerships. On Monday, September 12, during the SCRPA’s Awards luncheon, two individuals were recognized for their outstanding work in the field of recreation.
1st photo: Pictured from left to right: Marta Aldinger, Administrative Coordinator; Ronnie Kinnett, Property Management Division Head; Mr. James Brown, III, RCRC Executive Director; Mr. Kenya Bryant, RCRC Asst. Executive Director.
2nd photo: Pictured from left to right: Mr. Kenya Bryant, RCRC Asst. Executive Director; Sheriff Leon Lott; Mr. James Brown, III, RCRC Executive Director.
The teens that travelled to two different national track and field events have brought home some top honors and one of them won a National title.
Nine teens attended the 45th USATF National Junior Olympic Track & Field, July 29-31 in Wichita, Kansas. Many of today’s Olympic stars began their track and field careers competing in this national program.
Back Row: Coach Alan Beatty. Middle Row: Coach Brian Beatson, Jordan Beatson #12, Devin Shull #1, Trad Beatty #3, Noah Davis #11, Robert King #16, Bryce O'Brien #7, Tyler Estridge #13, Coach Tracy King. Front Row: Wade Ward #0, TJ Shook #25, Parker Carter #2, Alex Fulmer #18
Congratulations to the Irmo Little League Majors! They won the State Championship and went on to play in the Little League Southeastern Region tournament. Unfortunately, they won’t be moving on to the Little League World Series but they have represented the Richland County Recreation Commission and Irmo Little League very well! We are so proud of the team!
The team also made Little League Southeastern Regional history by having the first girl to ever pitch during the tournament. Alex Fulmer became the first girl to ever pitch in the tournament on Monday, August 8. Check out a wonderful article on Alex and this tremendous honor!
The Richland County Recreation Commission is pleased to announce that several local teens will be travelling to compete in national track and field competitions, again this year.
Nine teens will be attending the 45th USATF National Junior Olympic Track & Field, July 29-31 in Wichita, Kansas. Many of today’s Olympic stars began their track and field careers competing in this national program.
07/5/11
Bluff Road Park Demolition & Groundbreaking
Bluff Road Park is located at 148 Carswell Road. The new facility is part of the Recreation Commission’s $50 million General Obligation Bond which is being used to update, renovate and build new recreation facilities around Richland County. The old building was run down and desperately needed updating but as part of the Bond, that community will get a brand new facility. The Recreation Center also has a playground, football/soccer field, baseball field, and tennis courts.
Local kids bring home medals from AAU Taekwondo Nationals
Five kids, brothers and sisters, competing against each other for a national title, sounds like a reality TV show but it’s not. Makiah Bracey, Najeh, Jakobi Kennedy, Seth and Dominic Smith, brothers and sisters, travelled to Austin, Texas last month to compete in the AAU Taekwondo Nationals tournament. Together they brought home 10 medals in all and two won national titles.
The Richland County Recreation Commission’s administrative offices, recreation and community centers will be closed on Monday, May 30 in observance of National Memorial Day. LinRick Golf Course will be OPEN on Monday, May 30. All facilities will resume normal operating hours on Tuesday, May 31.
05/13/11 Cross Roads Community Center Groundbreaking
The Richland County Recreation Commission is proud to join with the Crossroads Community in Eastover to break ground on a new community center. The Crossroads Community Center is located at 2750 McCords Ferry Road in Eastover. The new facility is part of the Recreation Commission’s $50 million General Obligation
Bond which is being used to update, renovate and build new recreation facilities around Richland County. The old building was run down and desperately needed updating but as part of the Bond, that community will get a brand new facility. The Community center
also has a playground, benches, beautiful oak trees and a baseball field.
05/11/11 Bluff Road Park Closing Temporarily
Beginning June 1, Bluff Road Park will be closed. The public will not have access to the building or grounds (playground, athletic fields, walking trail). Classes and programs will be relocated to Hopkins Park, 150 Hopkins Park Road, Hopkins. Bluff Road Park is located at 148 Carswell Road and is part of Phase I of the General Obligation Bond. The new facility will include a new gym and recreation center.
03/25/11 Grand opening planned for new tennis pro shop
The Richland County Recreation Commission is celebrating the completion of another bond improvement project. A grand opening ceremony is planned for Friday, April 1 at 10:00 a.m., for the Richland County Tennis Center new pro shop. The pro shop was the first building to be completed as part of Phase 1 of the $50 million bond improvement plan.
03/18/11 Legislative Delegation appoints new Commissioner
The Richland County Recreation Commission is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. C. Todd Latiff (laa-tiff) to the Richland County Recreation Commission’s Board of Commissioners. Mr. Latiff will serve a five year term and will be attending his first Board of Commissioners meeting, Monday, March 21 at 6:00 p.m.
On March 17, 2011, community leaders and the Richland County Recreation Commission dedicated a new marquee sign at Eastover Park. Many local volunteers helped make the sign a reality. Through donations and in-kind services, the brick, labor and installation was completed, giving the park a new way to publicize their classes and events.
Many thanks to the partnership that made this sign happen. The Richland County Recreation Commission, Richland County Recreation Foundation, International Paper, Mr. Lee Faber, Mayor, Town of Eastover, Mr. Kelvin Washington, District 10, Richland County Council and PARD.
03/14/11 Hop on over to Sesqui for the 42nd annual Cottontail Festival
It’s that time of year again. Put on your bunny ears and bring the entire family to the Richland County Recreation Commission’s 42nd Annual Cottontail Festival, Saturday, April 16, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., at Sesquicentennial State Park.
The Richland County Recreation Commission will be hosting a special groundbreaking ceremony for the new facility being built at St. Andrews Park, 920 Beatty Road. The groundbreaking ceremony will be at the park site at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, March 11.
Southern
Living: March 2011 Fitness
Buddies: Start a Tennis Group
Tennis is more than a game for the Columbia LadyNets in South
Carolina. You too can join the club—no membership required.
The
State Newspaper: 02/22/11 Changes
big and small come to parks
The wave of work that began building when Richland County Council
approved $50 million for new and renovated parks in September
2008 is finally about to crash ashore.
A little more than a year into the Richland County
Recreation Commission’s building project, new fences and playground
equipment already have cropped up all over the county. Read
More
01/31/11 Bluff
Road Park Closing for a Week The
recreation center at Bluff Road Park will be closed to the public
beginning Monday, February 7 through Friday, February 11, 2011
for preconstruction as part of the agency’s $50 million bond project.
The athletic fields and playground will still be available for
use during park hours, Monday-Friday, 2:00-9:00 p.m. The building
will resume normal hours on Saturday, February 12, 9:00 a.m.-8:00
p.m.
The full construction project is due to begin later this year
and the center is scheduled to get a new recreation center, complete
with a gym, meeting rooms and a weight room. Read
More
01/18/11 Recreation
Commission first to install pet waste disposal systems at four
locations
The Richland County Recreation Commission is so pleased to be
the first in the Midlands to install Doggie Dooley’s at four of
our facilities. Our partnership with the Natural Resources
Conservation Service, Richland County Soil & Water Conservation
District, Richland County Conservation Commission and Clemson
Extension Services enable the Recreation Commission to be good
stewards of the environment and make our parks people and dog
friendly.
We would welcome dog enthusiasts to try out the
Doggie Dooleys at these five locations: Blythewood Park,
Friarsgate Park, Garners Ferry Sports Complex, North Springs Park
and Polo Road Park.
07/15/10 21st
Century Grant Award The
Richland County Recreation Commission is pleased to announce it
has been awarded $90,000 from the 21st Century Community Learning
Centers grant program. With this grant, the Recreation Commission
will be able to start a new afterschool program at the Crane Creek
Community Center, 7405 Fairfield Road, Columbia. This innovative
program will teach entrepreneurship skills, family literacy, music
and instrument instruction, mentoring, gardening, environmental
education, health and fitness and academic enrichment. Read
More
06/28/10 Celebrating
National Park and Recreation Month Since
1985, the month of July has been celebrated as National Park and
Recreation Month. This year will be no different. The Richland
County Recreation Commission has offered a wide-variety of recreational
activities for the residents of Richland County for 50 years. Read
More
06/15/10 Helping
Teens Make Healthy Choices Richland
County Recreation Commission is pleased to announce a fun-filled
opportunity for teens looking to make healthy choices. The Right
Choices Jam Teen Health Fair will be held at Denny Terrace Community
Center on Friday, July 23 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. The event
is free and open to the public but registration is required. Lunch
will be provided. Read
More
06/10/10 NFL
Comes To Richland County Parks The
Richland County Recreation Commission’s Summer Campers will get
a special treat this summer. The Carolina Panthers will be bringing
their Gatorade Junior Training Camp to Meadowlake Park,
600 Beckman Road,Tuesday, June 15th, 9:00 a.m.-1:00
p.m. for all RCRC summer campers to participate in. The
program is not open for the public at this time but is part of
the NFL Play 60 initiative, a program designed to promote health
and fitness awareness among youth. Read
More
05/11/10 Bike
Ride Honors Bicyclists Killed The
Midlands Ride of Silence will be Wednesday, May 19, beginning
at 7:00 pm. Columbia area cyclists of all riding levels are
welcome to meet at the Richland County Administration, 2020
Hampton Street at 6:30 pm and helmets will be required and the
ride is free and open to the public. A brief ceremony will be
held before the ride begins where family members of riders who
have lost their lives on the road will speak. Read
More
04/05/10 First
Bond Project Completed
The Richland County Recreation Commission is pleased to announce
the completion of the first project slated in the $50 million
bond.
A new playground at North Springs Park,
1320 Clemson Road has been installed.View
Photos | Read
More
01/14/10 Pine
Grove Rosenwald School Restoration project featured in New York
Times The
Midlands Ride of Silence will be Wednesday, May 19, beginning
at 7:00 pm. Columbia area cyclists of all riding levels are
welcome to meet at the Richland County Administration, 2020
Hampton Street at 6:30 pm and helmets will be required and the
ride is free and open to the public. A brief ceremony will be
held before the ride begins where family members of riders who
have lost their lives on the road will speak. Read
More | Read
more about the National Rosenwald Restoration information by
visitingwww.PreservationNation.org/rosenwald
