The Town of Clio has received a Municipal Achievement Award for its community park. The town won in the 1 – 1,000 population category.
For years, Clio’s residents wanted spaces for outdoor recreation and community gatherings, but the town lacked the funding to make this happen. A $75,000 fundraising goal was set in 2023 for a town park. Grant awards and town fundraising events greatly exceeded this, raising more than $130,000. After announcing the project at the town’s 2023 Cotton Festival, the town officially opened the park during the 2024 Cotton Festival.
Located in Clio’s downtown between its town hall and post office, the park features modern playground equipment, a gazebo and LED lighting. Grants came from Marlboro County and the Municipal Association’s Hometown Economic Development Grant. In-kind donations from local businesses included picnic tables and the gazebo’s concrete foundation, while volunteer hours from residents helped the construction of the park to stay within its budget. The community also contributed to every step of the planning process, helping to make design choices for issues like layout and colors — an approach that fostered community-wide support for the project.
The town planned the park with future expansions in mind. Future development plans include a walking path, a concert stage, a dog park and electric connections for food trucks, which will help the park host Clio’s Food Truck Fridays.
“The Town of Clio’s new community park is an asset to the town that offers more than just recreation, but an opportunity to bring people together and build lasting community bonds,” said Todd Glover, executive director for the Municipal Association.
The Municipal Association of SC initiated the Achievement Awards in 1987 to recognize and encourage innovations and excellence in local government.
###