Skip to main content

Forest Acres Wins Statewide Award for Gills Creek Memorial Park

Forest Acres City Council

Forest Acres Wins Statewide Award for Gills Creek Memorial Park

The City of Forest Acres has earned top statewide recognition for its transformative work on Gills Creek Memorial Park. The 2025 Municipal Achievement Award from the Municipal Association of South Carolina honors the City’s exceptional innovation and dedication in turning a once-condemned, flood-prone half-acre along Gills Creek into a vibrant public greenspace. Catalyzed by the devastation of the October 2015 floods, the project reflects years of perseverance and community collaboration.

The award was presented in the 10,001–20,000 population category, placing Forest Acres among the top municipalities in the state for innovation and community impact.

“The City of Forest Acres’ Gills Creek Memorial Park highlights how patience, creative design, and problem-solving can create an asset to the community that generations to come can enjoy,” said Todd Glover, executive director for the Municipal Association. The Municipal Association of South Carolina is a statewide organization that represents and serves the state’s cities and towns, providing advocacy, training, and resources to strengthen local government and improve communities.

Project highlights include:

  • Transforming challenges into opportunity: What began as a condemned, flood-prone half-acre along Gills Creek following the October 2015 floods is now a flourishing, vibrant greenspace.
  • Effective collaboration and strategic investments: Land donations and roadway easements paved the way, while 45 new parking spaces and a timely bridge replacement—in partnership with SCDOT—helped bring the vision to life.
  • Beautiful, multi-use design: The park offers a small event pavilion, a memorial garden honoring fallen police officers, a boardwalk with fishing access, splash pad, walking paths, upgraded stormwater infrastructure, and fresh street curbs—blending environment, remembrance, and recreation.
  • Smart funding: The project leveraged hospitality tax revenues, $3 million in ARPA funds, $1 million in state funding for bridge replacement, and $600,000 from Richland County to support traffic improvements.
  • Community magnet: Since its grand opening in April 2024, the park has hosted farmers’ markets, “Picnic in the Park” concerts, children’s theater programs, library storytime, and countless local gatherings—quickly becoming Forest Acres’ most beloved gathering place.

“Turning a condemned, flood-prone parcel into a dynamic and inclusive community treasure, while also paying tribute to our city’s most dedicated public servants - that’s Forest Acres at its finest. Gills Creek Memorial Park is more than green space; it’s a testament to our shared vision, collaboration, and civic commitment,” said Mayor Thomas Andrews.

This award celebrates not just a park—but Forest Acres’ spirit of innovation, partnership, gratitude for its public servants, and strong hometown pride. The city and its council remains dedicated to enhancing quality of life while preserving Forest Acres’ unique small-city character.