Creating a Sense of Community
Irmo’s Rawls Creek Park is more than a park, it’s several parks in one. Spanning over approximately nine acres, visitors will find a community garden, a dog park, a skate park, and plenty to do.
The project began in early 2020 when an existing park with tennis courts was considered for renovation. With the help of the Richland County Recreation Commission, many conversations, committee meetings, and a lot of planning came together for this park to be completed. It takes a village to raise a park.
Located at 1113 Friarsgate Blvd, it is a part of the Friarsgate Neighborhood. Courtney Dennis, Irmo Town Administrator, said it is one of the biggest neighborhoods in Irmo and includes an elementary school.
“This is a partnership with the Richland County Recreation Commission. It’s about taking an area that had lost its shine and creating a hub of activity, both educational and physical, while enjoying the outdoors,” Dennis said. “To bring people together in the community and enjoy it, but also to bring people from outside of the community to see what Irmo has to offer and what makes us special.”
What started as a vision has become a reality. Step by step, phases have opened beginning with a community garden.
Community Garden
The Green Iceberg Community Garden was the first part of the park to open. Rosalind Cook-Hillian, a volunteer who has been with the garden since it started over two years ago, said her group of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. helped raise money to get it started. It is also supported by the Ivy Heritage Foundation and the Town of Irmo, which were instrumental in getting the garden started.
Companies can sponsor parts of the garden and individuals can lease beds. “We have several families that lease a bed so they can grow things,” Cook-Hillian said. “It’s amazing to see the kids out there with their parents. They’re excited about the fruits of their labor.”
The community garden has 60 raised beds, a water fountain, irrigation, and a fence. A sign on the fence indicates the hours as sunrise to sunset. The garden is run by volunteers. Produce is grown seasonally, like corn, cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, strawberries, and watermelon. Cook-Hillian said a long-range goal includes working with a food pantry. “We really want to be about community,” she said.
Additionally, classes are held to educate those who want to learn more about gardening-related topics. Classes have included mindful meditation with gardening, composting, and understanding the recycling process.
There’s an ongoing Story Walk, sponsored by Irmo Music Academy, that features a selected book which changes every 3-6 months. Children can read the book page by page as they walk through the garden stopping at book stations.
Learn more about the community garden and register for classes on The Green Iceberg Community Garden Facebook page. Visit the Town of Irmo website for information on leasing a bed in the garden.
Dog Park
The next phase of the park to open was a dog park which allows open space for four-legged canine friends to play. Separate areas are designated for small and large breeds. Membership applications and yearly memberships are available on the Town of Irmo website. The dog park has about 60 members so far. Note that proof of spay or neuter documentation is required, as well as vaccinations when applying.
Rules and regulations include:
- Clean up and dispose of waste in designated receptacles
- No type of food is allowed
- An adult member (18 years old or older) must be present with the dog(s)
- No children under five years old; those 5-17 must be with an adult member
- No puppies under four months old are allowed for safety reasons
- Current hours are 7 am – 10 pm
- Key fob access is only for members
Follow the Town of Irmo Dog Park on Facebook for more information.
Skate Park
Dennis said the Town of Irmo secured financing and the skate park was built by 5th Pocket Skateparks. Completed in spring 2024, it has a concrete bowl and course layout.
The skate park is open to the public and has no age limit. “Kids and skaters have just gravitated to it,” Dennis said. “It’s constantly being used by people of all ages.” A gated fence secures the area and locks when the skate park closes. Currently, the hours are 7 am – 10 pm. Plans include offering educational skating seminars. Follow Friarsgate Skate Park on Facebook for information on temporary closures, changes to hours, and updates.
Like visits to any park, there are a few etiquette reminders:
- Dispose of trash properly
- Park in designated parking spaces
- Follow the park regulations
- Be respectful of wildlife
- Don’t leave personal items behind
- Take nothing out that you didn’t bring in other than memories and photos, of course
Future Plans
Families and individuals may choose to participate in the community garden, take Fido to the park, or skateboard at the skatepark. Others might simply stroll leisurely through the green space or read a good book under a shady tree. There’s plenty to do with activities in the park for visitors of various ages and just as much to do for those who prefer to relax in the outdoor space.
As for future plans, the park projects continue to evolve. Dennis said plans are underway for walking trails, fencing, paving, landscaping, and finishing the bathrooms. “Other amenities may come later,” he said.
Local parks have a way of bringing people together. And with that, there’s a true sense of community.