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Published: Jan. 28, 2025 at 7:45 PM PST|

HANAHAN, S.C. (WCSC) - The City of Hanahan is continuing to work towards bringing enhancements to two of its parks for the community to enjoy.

Those two parks are Hawks Nest Park and Steward Street Park.

City officials' plan for Hawks Nest Park features covered pickleball courts, stadium-like bleachers for their turf field that will seat more than 500 people and enhancements to the dog park.

At Steward Street Park, the additions include a kayak launch, ramp, floating dock, boardwalk, trails, a pavilion and a playground with inclusive play spaces for children with disabilities.

Officials say the city invested $15 million to update and finish both parks and that there was a referendum years ago where over 75 percent of voters voted yes to adding both parks.

The city has also secured $1,150,000 in state funding to go toward both parks. Officials say they have also received funds through different partnerships.

Hanahan Mayor Christie Rainwater says that the city was eager to begin working as soon as the funding became available. However, she says the initial bid cost for the pickleball courts at Hawks Nest Park was higher than they anticipated.

“We want to get the best courts, but also for the best deal and steward that taxpayer money well,” Rainwater says. “We are in the process of having that out to bid, so we’re gathering the financials on that and going to be able to pick a company and go with them and have them in the park sooner than later.”

One Hanahan High School student, Conner Requidan, says he uses Hawks Nest Park often to spend time with his friends. The pickleball courts would be a big upgrade for them since they currently use other areas at the park to play the game.

“I play pickleball out there on the tennis courts, but a nice court, an actual court would be nice. It would also bring in a lot more people who want to play pickleball. I think it would be a good addition,” Requidan says.

Another Hanahan High School student and park user, Stephan Slaughter, believes that the courts would bring in a strong sense of community.

“Pickleball is like a big sport that everybody in our city plays, so I feel like it’s really going to bring the community together and get everybody to come over here, schedule times and come play with friends, family, stuff like that,” Slaughter says. “I just think it’s going to be a great booster for the community, so everyone can come out at the same time and just enjoy doing the things that they love to do.”

For the bleachers at Hawks Nest Park, the city is currently in the approval process, with the plans being reviewed by an engineering firm. Once approved, officials say that the bleachers will take about 5 weeks to install.

Rainwater emphasized that these bleachers are crucial, saying that schools, organizations and community members all use the turf field, yet spectators currently don’t have a place to sit.

“We now have the funding to put in bleachers and so those are on order, they are due to arrive this spring, and so now when families are cheering on their kids or their other loved ones they can do so sitting or standing from the bleachers that will be delivered soon,” Rainwater says.

The dog park area at Hawks Nest Park will receive shade structures, benches and lighting, creating a more enjoyable space for pets and their owners. Officials say they will begin installing the lighting soon and are just waiting for the materials to arrive for the shade structures.

Rainwater says that for Hawks Nest Park they are hoping to have the bleachers in by this spring and the pickleball courts within a year.

Officials say that the pavilion and restrooms at Steward Street Park are almost complete and they plan to hold a ribbon cutting for the park on April 4th.

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