New art park set to enhance South Sumter

South Sumter is gearing up for a big change as construction on its new Art Park comes to a gradual close.

Along the strip of Manning Avenue, the park will occupy the once-grassy area where a Sumter County Sheriff's Office substation stood at 645 Manning Ave. Plans to transfer the county property to the city for the park were finalized in a Sumter County Council meeting in August 2022, according to The Item archives.

The city collaborated with Rep. David Weeks, D-Sumter, for this project, and the funding came from the South Carolina Arts Commission in the amount of $550,000.

A six- to seven-month time frame for completion was given at the September meeting; the city broke ground in March 2024. While it is on track, Weeks expects the park to be completed about early September.

According to preliminary design plans for the park, it will include two basketball courts with a vibrant, colorful, swirling art design, sidewalks, an art-themed playground, a pavilion and restrooms, greenery, parking and more. The layout of the park will allow parents to keep watch over their children as they enjoy the park. While the remainder of the equipment and amenities are being install, all that remains is to decide on an artist to install the first of many temporary art installations.

The park will not only improve the look of the area but also showcase local artistic talent.

"We're feeling really good about being able to display some of the things that local artists who grew up on the Southside do; they do pretty good work," Weeks expressed. "It's a win-win for us all the way when it comes to focusing and showcasing the arts and supporting the arts community."

He expressed gratitude to City of Sumter staff, the Arts Commission, the arts community and all who worked to bring this project to life.

The park will also be a part of a broader plan to revitalize Manning Avenue into an arts-focused area. Weeks mentioned street improvements and a greater emphasis on art expression to come in the next year.

"This park is simply a piece of a puzzle. The greater picture, of course, is the redoing of Manning Avenue in that corridor. The emphasis is on making that corridor an arts-oriented corridor, starting from when you get off the bridge all the way to the end," Weeks said. "It's just a step-by-step process."