'Let's keep it up'

Ribbon-cutting held for newly paved Alder Park trail

Simpsonville, S.C. — The City of Simpsonville hosted a ribbon cutting on Saturday for the newly paved walking trail in Alder Park.

In attendance were Mayor Paul Shewmaker, Council members Jenn Hulehan (Ward III) and Lou Hutchings (Ward VI), City Administrator Dianna Gracely and Parks & Recreation Director Robbie Davis. The paving of the Alder Park trail is just the latest in a series of community-building efforts in the Westwood neighborhood.

Hutchings and Hulehan, who both represent portions of Westwood, have made the subdivision a top priority during their time on Council.

"One of the first things that we pledged to do was to work hard to help build this community up," Hutchings said at the ribbon cutting. "We saw a lot of things that needed to be improved, and we focused on that quite a bit during our terms in office."

Councilmember Lou Hutchings (Ward VI) spoke at the ribbon cutting for the newly paved walking trail in Alder Park on Jan. 8, 2022. Hutchings has worked with Councilmember Jenn Hulehan (Ward III) to bring improvements to Alder Park | City of Simpsonville

Additional improvements to Alder Park include a new swing set, basketball hoop, repaved court and a little library that residents keep filled with books. The Simpsonville Police Department hosted a mini-National Night Out in the Park in October, while Westwood residents hosted a Halloween party.

The little library is one of several recent improvements to Alder Park in the Westwood subdivision | City of Simpsonville

Hulehan said the initiative in Westwood is about making Alder Park what it is supposed to be: a neighborhood park.

"Alder Park should be a place where kids can run and jump and play safely," Hulehan said. "It should be a place where families can enjoy time outside together. It should be a place for social and recreational activities for those who live nearby."

The recent improvements have helped contribute to that vision. Hulehan said the ribbon cutting on Saturday showed that, "We're better together!"

"Everyone has been working together to increase community pride and engagement at Alder Park: residents, Councilmember Lou Hutchings and I, Public Works, Parks & Recreation and the Simpsonville police and fire departments," Hulehan said. "The trail is but the latest example of that, and the increased community pride and engagement is important to ensuring that the park and our neighborhood are places where families can thrive."

Councilmember Jenn Hulehan (Ward III) speaks at the ribbon cutting for the newly paved walking trail at Alder Park on Jan. 8, 2022. Hulehan told the residents in attendance that the city appreciated their commitment to support the Park | City of Simpsonville

Just before the ribbon cutting on Saturday, Hulehan acknowledged the teamwork required to carry out the improvements.

“It’s great that everybody is willing to come out and work together with our amazing folks from Parks & Recreation, our friends from Public Works and the city as a whole working together with you, the neighbors, to help support this park and keep it running," Hulehan said. "We appreciate you being here today.”

Following the ribbon cutting, city officials and Westwood residents took a ceremonial walk around the trail to celebrate.

Councilmember Jenn Hulehan (Ward III), Mayor Paul Shewmaker and City Administrator Dianna Gracely participate in the ceremonial first-walk following the ribbon cutting for the newly paved walking trail in Alder Park on Jan. 8, 2022 | City of Simpsonville

Residents and city officials took a ceremonial walk around the newly paved walking trail in Alder Park on Jan. 8, 2022 | City of Simpsonville

PHOTO: City of Simpsonville