By Natalie M. ZeiglerCity Manager
The Fourth of July has passed, and now we’re on the way toward the first day of school. About this time every year, summer can seem like it’s slipping away. In Hartsville, thankfully, this is a time filled with activities to help our residents enjoy the sunshine and good weather. Here are some fun opportunities for you and your family to enjoy in this back half of the season.
The Byerly Park Recreation Complex now has the most talked about new addition to Hartsville’s recreation facilities: the Piratesville Splash Pad, the water play area for children found at 1109 14th St. It has brought in crowds of kids buying daily tickets and season passes since it opened on Independence Day, with excellent reviews coming from parents and children, enthusing about its slides, fountains, water cannons and more. We’ve been reserving quite a few private parties as well. Call 843.339.2878 or visit www.hartsvillesc.gov to learn more about hours, rates and rentals. When you visit this great facility, you may agree with us that Hartsville has never seen anything quite like it.
Our Screen on the Green series of free outdoor movies is also underway, with two movies still to go this season. Next Saturday, July 20, we feature the Disney movie “Brave.” Our Fire Department will also be conducting free car seat safety checks on site before the event. The season ends with the well-remembered fractured fairy tale “The Princess Bride” on Aug. 17. For three seasons now, we’ve shown movies on our huge 25-foot screen in Burry Park on Cargill Way, and the crowds which keep coming truly show the value of having a downtown green space for events. Bring your snacks and drinks, your chairs and blankets, and meet us downtown at dusk for a fun Saturday night with the family.
Darlington County schools begin Aug. 19, signaling the end of summer for many. The City of Hartsville will be throwing another family event beforehand, however: National Night Out on Aug. 9, beginning at 6:30 p.m. in Burry Park. For three decades, National Night Out has taken place in communities nationwide, fostering partnerships and connections among law enforcement, emergency personnel and the community members they serve. As in years past, this evening is a time for residents to meet our police, firefighters and EMS, all while enjoying free food, drinks, activities and entertainment. We will have DJ Trey Nicholson on site, and another movie showing, this time “Rise of the Guardians,” beginning at dusk.
Hartsville, we often say, is a wonderful community for families, and the City’s facilities and summertime events show the truth of that statement. I hope to see many of you out in our parks and at our upcoming events.
