South Carolina Parks and Recreation Development Fund

The Parks and Recreation Development Fund (PARD) is administered by the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism (SCPRT). Established by the state’s General Assembly in 1987 and guided by Chapter 23 of Title 51 of the 1976 Code of Laws, the fund is designed to support permanent improvements to public parks and recreation facilities that are open to the general public. PARD is a non-competitive, reimbursable grant program intended for local government entities and special purpose districts that provide recreational opportunities within South Carolina counties. PARD allocations are derived from bingo tax revenues collected during each fiscal year and are apportioned to counties beginning July 1. Each county receives a minimum of $20,000, and 75% of the remaining funds are distributed based on the county’s proportion of the state population. Five percent of funds are retained by SCPRT for program administration. Projects must be completed and closed out within three years of approval, after which unused funds revert to the county’s account. Legislative delegation members are notified annually in July about available funds and must endorse project applications for them to proceed. Eligible applicants are local government units or special purpose districts that have provided parks or recreation services for at least twelve months before applying. SCPRT classifies applicants into one of four categories (A through D) based on the extent and nature of their recreational services. A new applicant must submit photographs of its recreational facilities, budget documents showing related expenditures, and a development plan to establish eligibility. All applications must be endorsed by legislative delegation members representing a weight factor of more than 50% and include a comprehensive application packet. The application must include the project application form, an endorsement form, a deed or lease agreement for the project site, a historical significance certification form, a site map with a physical address, and color photos of the site prior to development. Acceptable uses of funds include new construction, renovation, and planning of recreation facilities. Planning projects may involve site assessments and master planning. Development funds can be used for constructing or expanding public recreation amenities, while renovation funds target upgrades to existing facilities. Routine maintenance and non-recreational structures such as museums or libraries are ineligible. PARD reimburses up to 80% of eligible project costs, requiring a 20% local match which may come from cash, in-house labor, or equipment use. Volunteer labor and donated materials are not considered valid matches. Reimbursements are issued only for approved expenditures within the grant period, with thorough documentation required. Sponsors must maintain projects for the duration of the agreement, which ranges from five to twenty years depending on project value. Compliance with ADA standards and state procurement policies is mandatory. Contact for this grant is Alesha C. Cushman, PARD Grants Coordinator, reachable at 803-734-0185 or via email at acushman@scprt.com. Applications must be approved by SCPRT on or before the 15th of each month. Delays or denials may occur if proper documentation is not submitted, or if project timelines are not followed. Reimbursement is contingent upon site inspection and demonstration of public accessibility and maintenance compliance. Awarded projects must prominently display signage acknowledging PARD support.