Cayce’s Exciting New Visitors Center Set to Break Ground Soon!
Exciting news is coming out of Cayce! After years of planning and anticipation, the city has announced a generous donation of $2.1 million from the Darnall W. and Susan F. Boyd Foundation to help kickstart the long-anticipated visitors center at the 12,000 Year History Park. This park is not just another patch of grass; it spans a whopping 350 acres and connects to the beautiful Cayce Riverwalk and Timmerman Trail. This means locals and visitors alike will soon have even more to enjoy in this fantastic area!
A Project Long in the Making
This visitors center has been on the drawing board since back in 1996 when Ozzie Naglar first created a conceptual design. Fast forward to 2021, and the city was finally able to get things moving thanks to the first of two $1 million state grants. Site preparations were officially underway on the Fort Congaree Trail, just across from the tennis center and only a hop, skip, and jump away from the entrance to the lovely 3.5-mile Timmerman Trail loop.
Cayce Mayor Elise Partin recently stood next to Naglar at a press conference filled with excitement and optimism for the future of this project. With the site now prepped and the Boyd Foundation’s incredible donation in hand, it looks like the visitors center is finally ready to take shape. Partin expressed her eagerness, saying, “I’ll be even happier when we get to the groundbreaking. This is really awesome, but let’s, let’s move some dirt and let’s see this thing start to come out of the ground!”
A Journey Through Time
The 12,000 Year History Park is steeped in rich local history, dating back thousands of years. Over the centuries, the area has seen many inhabitants, from mammoths to Civil War soldiers. The park even contains earthworks from a 1865 Civil War battle. So, it’s no wonder that this space is packed with stories just waiting to be unveiled!
The exciting plans for the visitors center include rotating exhibits that will dive into the area’s intriguing history. You’ll be able to learn about everything from the Revolutionary War battles fought in the area to ancient archeological finds, like a stunning signet ring adorned with a lion crest. The history here is not just fascinating; it’s downright gripping!
Connecting Communities Through Nature
The River Alliance, a group dedicated to improving access and enjoyment of the region’s rivers, has been heavily involved in making this visitors center a reality since day one. They have previously received funds from the Boyd Foundation to enhance local riverwalks, including the opening of the lovely Boyd Island nature sanctuary just last year.
According to CEO Mike Dawson, the visitors center will play a crucial role in linking the area’s riverwalks, ultimately creating an expansive 27-mile uninterrupted walking path. With such connectivity, visitors will have easy access to the area’s natural beauty, making it simple for families and explorers to enjoy all that Cayce has to offer.
Boosting Local Tourism
This new development will not only provide education and entertainment but will also help boost local tourism. Mayor Partin believes the convenient access the center offers will attract tourists and school groups alike. “It’ll be easily accessible for school groups, easily accessible for adding another stop in our region so that people stay longer and get to experience our region more,” she stated enthusiastically.
As Cayce prepares for this exciting new chapter, you might just want to mark your calendars! With the hope of breaking ground in 2025 and construction projected to take 10-12 months, this visitors center is bound to be a blockbuster. So get ready, Cayce, because a whole new world of history and nature adventure is on the horizon!
